Merry Christmas to All

By MAGGIE WANG

Kevin came home from New Orleans on Christmas Eve, just in time for us to join everyone at his sister's place in the Palisades for a festive Christmas (Dings, Changs and Wangs).

Upon arrival, Maven was the shining star in her Christmas-colored outfit and girlish headband, courtesy of A-Ma Ding, who also dressed Sedona.

Maven is able to stand by herself while holding on to something and is gradually figuring out how to cruise with assistance.

Even though I had to tell Kevin when he asked via phone while away for the previous week that Sedona wasn't really asking much for him, Sedona was super happy to be with Kevin when he did return. She was glued to him all day.

Maven celebrated this Elmo gift from A-Gong Ding. It plays a "Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?" song that is catchy enough that Kevin remembers it from his childhood.

Kevin admitted that he didn't really mind too much that Sedona was glued to him, because he missed her, too.

Christmas-card-quality photo of the host family here! We also celebrated Kris' 40th birthday; she was a Christmas baby.

On Christmas Day, Kevin had a Lakers game -- as has been the case every year since we met in 1999 -- but at least this year he was "home" in Los Angeles. My parents, Felix, Lulu and the Boole-Williams family came over to keep us company.

Riley and Sedona exchanged presents despite a no-presents rule that Whitney and I set for ourselves ... a rule that Whitney and I both broke.

Teacher Lulu was appropriately prepared with an activity: cutting shapes for cookies. The girls had so much fun ...

... although we parents had to deal with the aftermath of our girls wanting to eat only cookies.

Sedona definitely understood the concept of presents. She enjoyed opening them and got some really great gifts. I was surprised that she didn't want to tear into all the gifts.

Sedona cheerfully posed with the height-measurement surfboard that surfer-boy A-Gu Felix gave her. We already put it up on the wall right next to Sedona's bed.

Maven's first Christmas was nice. She is definitely no longer a little baby not getting what's going on. She loves observing everything around her and enjoys moving all around the house. Her favorite game now is sitting in Sedona's little rocking chair with full knowledge that it's the right size for her to stand up and grab on to Kevin's fingers.

We hope everyone had a very happy holiday, and before you leave, don't forget to vote in our two polls (regarding whom the girls most resemble) near the top of the right side of this page!