Rebekah's ear surgery

Rebekah was so brave when she got this third set of ear tubes put in. A new water bottle from Starbucks and a mini cheesecake can go a long way towards improving a child's attitude...

Cole's birthday

Cole got a badminton racket for his 11th birthday this week. He wrapped it himself. He also made and decorated his own "candy-explosion" birthday cake.

Alia's haircut

Alia was very unhappy about getting her hair cut this week. I didn't know why she was so upset until she fell asleep on my shoulder as soon as the haircut was over and we were waiting for Rebekah to finish. She was exhausted! Everyone at the salon thought Alia's mad face was darling.

Seth's drawing

This is Seth's great drawing of the First Vision. I personally think Joseph Smith's hair do seems very 21st-century-ish.

The Olsen's on TV

A TV station wanted to do a spotlight on an expat family--and Jeff was the lucky winner!

Our family on TV over Chinese New Year

Christmas Eve with the Larsen's

We felt so spoiled to spend Christmas Eve with the Larsen's.

Wisdom Award--Seth

I got the Wisdom Award at school. My teacher said that I always listen carefully to her instructions, I do my best to follow them, and I help other students if they don't understand.

Christmas Recital

Five families got together at our house for a Christmas recital. We try to get together twice a year to let the kids show what they've been working on. Emma learned "I Am a Child of God" on the piano, Reb played the descant, and Maddie played the cello. A bunch of kids played "Silent Night" together. Tate played "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" on the trumpet. Everyone except Cole, Seth, and Alia performed something.

Christmas Eve

The family gift we opened was a junior swingball set--the third one that we've owned. Our first was in Utah at the cabin, and we liked it so much we bought one in Arizona. This is the perfect game for a tiny backyard! We all got an ornament that will be our remembrance of this first Christmas together. It is a Chinese cat that stands for prosperity.

New hair, new glasses--Madison

Mom wants me to post these two pictures--one of my new hair cut and one of my new glasses. I don't wear the glasses every day, but I do wear the hair every day. :) Don't my cousins and I look like the best-lookin' wise people you've ever seen?

A+, Wise Man--Cole

I have gotten 11 A+'s on math tests so far this year, so Mom and Dad took me to a new restaurant to celebrate. I ordered a heavenly chocolate dessert.

I had the best costume in the school play. I was a wise man.

Snow Queen, Daddy Date--Emma

Dad and Mom and I went on a date and I got this cute snowman cupcake.

I was the lead in the school musical--Gerta in "The Snow Queen." Larsen played the bass in the orchestra. I had the most number of lines in the play and I got them memorized before anyone else!

Jingle Jog

We hosted a Jingle Jog in December at Century Park to benefit the Shanghai Healing Home. Only the most courageous showed up on that cold, rainy morning.