THE CATES: 2014

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Week 10

Christmas Eve

Our friends invited us to a dinner party at their house for Christmas Eve... and thank goodness!!! Our household good arrived the day before and our house is not Christmassy at all!!

Playing games - A REAL smile from Aiden... I love it!

Connor was really getting into the game!! :)

Christmas eve tradition - opening Mammaw's gift. It is usually PJs but this year it was a gift card - to get PJs later!

Christmas Morning!!

Please excuse all the boxes in the background!

German pancakes for Christmas morning breakfast... easy to make with limited dishes and the kids love it!

Aiden had to fly his new helicoptor/drone before even getting dressed!! And this is where he stayed for most of the day.

Jeremy looking cool in his new Christmas sweater as he watches the kids play

My Christmas present... a new home to call our own - for the next 3 years at least!

Connor showing off his boxing stance while wearing his new boxing T-shirt from Aunt Tara!

Relaxing and enjoying the break from unpacking

Turkey's ready!!!

The day after Christmas we were surprised to get SNOW!!!

We have no TV, Video Games, Internet, etc.... so the timing couldn't have been better!

Not really a sledding hill but... still fun!

Snow on Palm Trees... Anything could happen!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Week 9

5th Grade Christmas Concert

Aiden was in a very large Christmas concert with all of the 5th graders from his school

I caught a glimpse of him before the show started!

Can you see him???? :)

This week was busy and full of changes!! One of which was that it was our last week in the hotel. We had to have one last family dinner at our favorite restaurant before we left.

Aiden celebrated by having jumbo prawns AND pizza!

Our home for 2 months!!! Also included are some great friends we met while living here.

Last night with just my sweetie!

Moving Day!!

We finally got the keys to our house and get to move in!! Our household goods don't arrive until next week though so it's just a big, empty house for now.

Jessica, our statue. It looks like Connor is violating her but he really wasn't! lol!

The kids are sooooo happy to have space to move around!!! And to fight with giant sticks of course!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Week 8

7th Grade Christmas Concert

Connor is in a small choir at the middle school who performed a beautiful Christmas concert - I think it was the best one I've ever been to!

The only boys in the choir!

They all look so sharp!

Ward Christmas Party

We had a nice dinner and primary program for the Ward Christmas party

A shepherd and angel just hanging out!

The men and their beautiful voices!

The cutest shepherd I've ever seen!

Connor and his buddy hanging out

Aiden got to co-narrate the Christmas story

All the Primary kids!

Home for the Holidays

Members of the community put on a wonderful performance of Christmas songs. It was a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Waiting for the show to start

It was so fun seeing some of our friends in the performance. It was very well done!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Week 7

Santa came to Italy!! (AKA: Babbo Natale)

I'm so glad I still have at least one who will sit on his lap!

Padova

We decided to take the bus to Padova to see Anna!

I was trying to take a picture with one hand and hold on for dear life with the other. The bus was so crowded and we stood the whole way (about 20 minutes). These little cuties didn't mind though - they thought it was fun!

City Center! Now to find Anna....

We felt more lost after finding this map than before!

Not Anna.... but had to stop anyway! :)

Stopping to enjoy the view!

Hot pudding... oops! I mean chocolate. The kids love it. I think it's too rich. It basically tastes like melted chocolate chips to me. But it's nice on a cold day!

Santa's sleigh?

YAY!! We finally found Anna!!

Fun day visiting the market and spending time with Anna in Padova!

Rob Riggle

Another highlight of the week was Connor and Jeremy got to meet Rob Riggle at a USO event!

Rob saw Jeremy's KC shirt and waved him over to take a picture. I love how he stays loyal and true to his hometown!