December 20 (and Big Trip Day 1)

Jeremy did make it home from the States, at about 3 a.m.  This is what "coming and going" looked like at the bottom of the stairs.

We left the house in a Maxi Taxi at about 4:30 p.m.  WE have always taken 2 taxi's to the airport (at about $30 each).  We decided to try a Maxi Taxi and found that the typical booking fee, plus the $18 maxi taxi advanced booking fee plus the regular fare only came to $48.

We arrived at the airport for a Qantas flight leaving at 8:00.  Sarah knew a Navy family on the flight, and Allison knew a boy from High School.  Always such a small world.  Upon check-in, though we found out that we did not have visa's into Sydney.  "Someone" read that website wrong!  We could either pay $20 (each) to the online site or $70 each to the ticket counter.  You can probably guess which one we preferred, but found that the laptop would not pick up the correct Wi-Fi carrier and both Blackberry and iPhone had trouble with the website past the home screen.  (All prices in SG.)  Dunkin Donuts took the edge off.  And we curled up with blankets, dinner, and our own movie on a 7-1/2 (-ish) hour flight.

December...thus far

1.  The Nutcracker at Singapore American School (not your mother's traditional or classical ballet (or music!), but fun nonetheless

 McKenna's number:

Madison's number:

  

2.  Allison learned how to shoot archery

3.  Had a lovely evening with neighborhood church friends reenacting the Nativity

4.  Enjoyed a fun kindergarten Christmas concert

5.  Enjoyed a fun night at church celebrating Christmas

(insert Madison playing Mary here)

6.  Enjoyed Gardens by the Bay (and the Flower Dome)

7.  Jeremy spent the whole month (until the last few hours before we left) in Virginia for work.  He did get to stop in and check on our house, see our neighbors, and go to our church.  He also got to see these fabulous people (my brother and family, my cousin,  and my dad's sister) a couple times:

8.  Christmas came early (because it sure isn't all going on the airplane!):