Friday, February 12, 2010

a new year!


So here's the color version of the black and white from my Wed. post.



I shared in my previous post how I had wanted to get some portraits of these two in their traditional Chinese clothes. I sometimes think getting 2 or more children to sit for a portrait (as my husband says) is like 'herding cats.'

I kept the picture taking short and sweet and was very pleased with these images.

As people in China prepare for the new year that is arriving soon, I thought I'd share a little of what we do as a family to celebrate. Every year it's a little bit different. It's starts with me decorating with a lot of red, hanging red knots from our front door, paper lanterns hanging from the mantel, and a red silk table runner on the dining room with some of the things we bought in China decorating the table. I also put out a big bowl of mandarin oranges which symbolize good luck, they don't last long around here as both kids love them.


On the eve of the new year (Saturday night) we'll go out to dinner at our very favorite local Chinese restaurant. We live in a small town of about 10,000 people, that's just outside of a much larger city. Shortly after getting back from China with William, we went into that favorite place and to our surprise found out that the owners were originally from Will's birth city and province! Who would have thought that we could meet in a small town in Wisconsin. The 'Grandma' adores William and dotes on him. In fact every time we go there, he's swept away into the kitchen for a while and given some treats and spoiled a little. ;)




On Sunday we'll celebrate Chinese New Year with giving Grace and Will a few small gifts and red paper envelopes with a little money(even numbers) in them. We also give the 'hong bao' to some of our friend's children too. In 2 weeks we'll get together with a local group of friends all with children adopted from China, at another dinner.
In year's past I've spoken to Grace's classroom about Chinese New Year, we've had travel group get togethers, attended a festival put on by our adoption agency and gone to downtown Chicago's Chinatown and watched their parade which was amazing (though really cold!) I will say we always do something to celebrate the holiday and bring a little of China and it's rich, vibrant culture into our home.
You can say Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year!)

or Gong Xi Fa Cai (Congratulations and be prosperous!)

However you say it...Happy New Year!

25 kind words:

fleur de lis cottage said...

Happy Chinese New Year. I still love Grace's new do!

Jodee said...

Adorable pictures! Happy Chinese New Year!

Michelle said...

Gorgeous pictures! The colors are brilliant! You inspire me my friend!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

THESE ARE GORGEOUS!!! I loved the pic of the kids in black and white, but the full color version is AMAZING!!! I love the vibrant colors and all the beautiful detail of their outfits. I hope you make room on your wall for these.....they definitely need to get framed and hung...BEA-U-TI-FUL!

Happy Chinese New Year!

xo,

Lisa

redmaryjanes said...

Beyond stunning. Very very lovely. I will be swapping the black and white for the color. Just breathtaking!
We will be celebrating with Steffie and Kelly's families tomorrow. I love Chinese New Year.
Happy New Year my friend.

Debbie said...

Awesome photos!

LivingSimply, SimplyLiving said...

Such Gorgeous pictures...they look so beautiful...you are some photographer...the pictures look professionally done.
Happy Chinese New Year too..
Annmarie

Courtney said...

The pictures are beautiful. I loved reading about how you celebrate. Happy Chinese New Year!

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

these are so beautiful Gail!!!! I love them....: ) Happy Chinese New Year to you and your family!!!!!! We will be celebrating at home this year...with wonderful Chinese food and cake of course..because we are all about cake in this house (just ask my butt).
{{{hug}}}

Gavin's Family said...

Thanks for all the great ideas on how to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I would love to do it this year even thought Gavin's not home yet.

Kim said...

AWESOME photos!!

Have a wonderful weekend! Happy Chinese New Year!

Amandalynn said...

These are great photos - I love the blue and red together. You've got yourself a couple of lovely kids!

Happy Chinese New Year!

--Amandalynn
http://www.imageserenity.com/blog

kerri said...

Happy New to you all!
The color version is truly beautiful. The colors are so rich and vibrant!!
Have a wonderful weekend..

Marla said...

Absolutely love these shots of your gorgeous kiddos! Happy New Year to y'all too!!!!

Colleen said...

These are GORGEOUS Gail!!! I love their outfits!
We are keeping our celebration pretty simple this year. Just too much with the move. I traditionally get a group of families together each year at a local restaurant but just did not get it planned this year. We will be attending our town's local CNY dinner/performance on the 27th.
Happy New Year!!!!

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

GAIL~I knew when I saw the b&w conversions on Wednesday that the color version would be awesome! I am SO glad you posted the color versions.

That is really an incredible story about meeting people from Will's hometown. I love how God STILL provides little blessings on the journey with our children.

Many blessings as you celebrate with your kids~

Lisa

Jboo said...

Oh my-- those photos come alive in color and I thought they were fabulous in B&W! Have a wonderful weekend, Valentine's Day and Happy New Year!

Janet

Super Mommy said...

I love Grace's dress, she looks fabulous in red! And Will is looking dapper in his blue! Sounds like you all have lots planned for the New Year. We have a large Asian community in Houston, thus have many, many opportunities to celebrate, one being at our local Chinese Community Center.

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

Have a fantastic time. The colour in your pictures are so rich and beautiful. thank you, for sharing Gail.
Where did you EVER find Grace's dress?

Lea
xo

Wanda said...

So beautiful Gail! In color they just become magnificent. I love the way you shot overhead - they posed so naturally and really look serene. (Is it really that serene at your place? I just laughed at myself!)

I love that you really go all out. I'm inspired.

Xin Nian Kuai Le !! Enjoy it.

xoxo

Michelle R Photography said...

Beautiful shots, Gail!! Beautiful!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Casey said...

Such beautiful kids!!! I just love the color version (and the bl/w too!) They are bright and fun and match your children beautifully.

Happy New Year!!

Kim said...

Great photos..
Sounds like a great time..
One day I will have to start thinking of traditions to do on CNY..
hugs..

Dita said...

So wonderful to hear of the traditions you keep alive for your children...both American and Chinese. I think that celebrating the culture they were born in with the one they live in is the just so beautiful.

The images of the children in their silk finery are the stuff that memories are made of...Gorgeous!


Happy Chinese New Year!

xoxoo
Dita

Karen said...

Gorgeous photos of your two!
Happy Chinese New Year!

 
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