St. Patrick's Day

WE WILL-WE WILL

SHAM-ROCK YOU!

(Leia was heard singing this today

when riding her scooter on the back porch...

we had a good laugh!)

The goofy Westphal clan spent another silly holiday together making the best of it. We all thought "GREEN" all day, from clothes to food...here's a few pictures to see how people with more kids than money spend a day in the life.

Corned Beef and Cabbage (Carl's favorite meal...)

We tried "Irish Soda Bread" for the first time...the kids gave it a sporting taste, but only Carl liked it. We are sure he has some irish blood!
Grasshopper Pie to finish the meal (pistachio flavored...)
Lacey and Luke being cute---colored lemonade and apples for a little more GREEN!






Cora testing the lemonade ...
(sporting a green striped sweater and holding a green cup!)

Christian thinks green things are magical now...made the apples taste extra good

(he ate 3 today!)

Clay and his green shirt...

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY-

WESTPHAL STYLE

Chinese New Year 2010

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

It is the Year of the Tiger! Catie is the only "Tiger" in the family and she proudly poses with a little tiger and her best Chinese costume. We were so glad to have John, Jessica and Ethan to join in our silly festivities this year! We had a lot of fun preparing delicious, authentic Chinese food, making homemade decorations and enjoying the company and ethnic treat.

This is Clay performing as the "Dragon" in the parade. The kids suprised us by putting together an after dinner show that they prepared while we were cooking.


Christian was his usual silly self, and we all took an opportunity to "rub Buddah's Belly" for good luck in 2010! (Thanks Ethan!)


Luke took his part as Lantern bearer very seriously--he lead out the parade and the kids dazzled us with their dancing and artistic flare.

Luke meditating and bringing in the spirit of the Tiger!

Ethan and Jessica getting ready for "the feast"!

The decorations are in place and the table is set!

Ethan and Christian have some fun while they wait.

This is a cute pose of Leia and Ethan,
She just fell in love with him at this visit.

Lora looking ever so matronly and making the "dumplings!" (these are yummy...but I still need to perfect them somehow?)

Carl specializes in Chow Mein...it blows away any we've ever had before!











Jessica is a good sport and helped us fry up the tempura chicken...you can never have enough hands for this meal! (John was very helpful...he cheered us on...)

Lacey and clay having a "dumpling fight" (yeah...we've watched Kung Fu Panda one too many times...)


Lacey performing as "Grandmother Chang", the story teller" --she did a great job retelling the story of "The Empty Pot". We were all very impressed with her improvisation.

All in all, it was a nice evening and a great visit! Thanks John, Jessica, and Ethan (and Gemma, too!) We enjoyed seeing you!

"