It's going to be difficult to condense the last few weeks to just a few pictures and stories. There is so much that will be left out. But share I will.
We were blessed to have my parents visit us for Christmas this year. And considering the effort it took for them to get here and back I do not take our time with them for granted. A few months ago when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I prepared my heart that they might not be able to come on this trip. But Mom finished her radiation treatments just days before they left the States. God was completely gracious allow us this time together! And Mom and Dad were gracious with the 4 of us, too. They put up with quite a bit while here, including our hectic schedule since we were also simultaneously hosting volunteer English teachers from the US. Mom and Dad traveled to the countryside with us, loved on the girls, ate weird food, got thrown up on (by Trinity), read 531 books to Grace, played dress-up and doctor 348 times, brought us lots of US goodies, helped us host a party, and experienced daily life with us. On the way home to America, they got delayed 3 days due to the most snow in BJ in 50 years. It took extra time and effort to come this time. I think they are pretty much wonderful. Christmas '09 is definitely one I will remember.
When Mom and Dad first arrived, Trinity was sicker than she's ever been. But after a while they got to see her personality coming through.
I hear it's SUPER cold in the States right now. It's not super cold here, but we don't have central heating. Turns out concrete isn't the best insulator, so at times it will be in the 50's in our home. Here's Mom trying to stay warm while reading!
We had a little fun one day making a gingerbread tree.
And then things got a little crazy...
Granna and Papa Jim attempted to teach Grace how to play go-fish. I say attempted because Grace didn't seem to understand that Papa Jim wouldn't always have the card she needed.
dress-up time!
Christmas Eve
Reading the Christmas story on Christmas Day before opening gifts...doesn't Trinity look like she's really listening?!
And, when you order a fish, it is served "whole." As in, it is considered a more beautiful presentation to have the head and tail attached while you eat it. And a hot item to eat here is fish head soup. One of our friends' 3 year old son loves to eat fish eyeballs. As in, it's in his top 5 favorite foods! I don't really love fish here but this dish below is one exception. It's translated "butterfly fish" and is one of the few fish dishes here we've eaten without the bones to work through. It's filleted, rolled in cilantro and other veggies and has an amazing sauce which includes garlic and peanuts. I promise, it's sooo good!
Ok Mom, don't kill me but I thought your expression was too funny on this picture! I loved the look Mom made when the waitress served our fish and faced him looking right at her!
But see? They really liked it!
This is one thing I wouldn't make anyone eat...it's the time of year again for dog meat. Yes, that's a dog carcass hanging in the window. I've only HAD to eat it once. Kevin's eaten it a bunch and doesn't think it's too bad but don't trust him because he's also been known to thrown down horse organs and like them, too! Dog is considered a "hot" food so is generally served in the winter. It's tough as tough can be. No, I won't make anyone eat this.
And finally here's a pretty good Chinglish sign from our favorite milk tea shop. If you can't read the English it says, "Heart to you...the first time ever I kissed you mouth I felt the ear."
There are many opportunities to laugh over here! 
