Merry Christmas

We started the tradition last year when we were too poor for presents. On Christmas' Eve, we both have 15 minutes or so to run around the house, find a "present" and wrap it up to give it to each other. This forces us to be creative (and quick!) and satisfies the joy of opening something on Christmas. It has been a great success so far. We'll definitely continue it forever as our family's tradition.

Best present that Quoc got me: half a pack of gum.
Best present that I got him: snapshots of me doing goofy things on our digital camera.
Best dinner party: get-together at our house. Yummy Italian food, good wine and karaoke!
Best moment this Christmas: toss up between singing carols by the fire and waking up to snow Christmas morning!

Here are some pictures.
We decorated our mantle this year and hung our homemade stockings as well. We lit the candles Christmas' Eve before reading the Christmas story and singing carols.

Snow!!!
It's the front and side of our house. I've never had a white Christmas before. Well, the snow didn't stick on the ground, but it was pretty, nonetheless.

The Grotto

We went to see the lights at the Grotto tonight. There were near half a million lights up. We had a good time walking through the pathways and hearing the choirs sing. It certainly put us in the Christmas spirit. Here are some pictures.

Sorry, some of them are a bit blurry. We only have a point and shoot, w/o image stabilizer.

Curious visitor

In the past few days, there's a cat sitting/sleeping on our doorstep. We don't know where it comes from, but there it is. Everytime I opened the door, it rushed in, trying to make itself at home. Then the "shoo! shoo! kitty!" ensued. We're pretty sure it's someone's house-cat, (although it doesn't have a collar) because it's extremely friendly- or just hungry and pretending to be friendly. Quoc fed it a few times. Me, I'm just hoping it doesn't adopt us, because we are not responsible enough for another life, at least at this moment. The cat's been visiting our neighbors as well, but no one's claiming it yet. We see it sleeping on the front steps of various houses, sometimes marching back and forth, meowing for food. I feel bad, but at the same time- hm.. it can be carrying toxoplasmosis! Who knows! So I peek out the window before I open the door, making sure it's not there, ready to pounce inside. I think we will call the animal control people to get it to a shelter. I'll sneek a picture of it when I'm brave enough :-)

Moved

Xanga has given me lots of grief about posting pictures. Therefore, I'm moving my blog here. Also, this way, Quoc (Ian) can blog if he wishes. So starting tomorrow, there will be more pictures up. Yay! Time for sleep.