2016 Chinese New Year

I love it when this year's Chinese New Year's reunion falls on a Sunday. It gave me plenty of time to prepare, and to get things organised. Besides, I think now we're pretty good into the routine now, I could do more this year comparing to last year. I made some CNY cookies (will blog about it separately) and cooked up a storm for our reunion lunch. Well, I told EG we should improve bit by bit every year. Next year we'll surely be better.

This year we got my aunt and her family over (one cousin didn't join as he had to work) for reunion lunch. I wanted to keep it simple but still ended up cooking quite a bit with EG's help -  it was a bit chaotic as I tried many new dishes this year. But I must say I am very proud of myself. I received compliments for all my dishes. :)

2016 Chinese New Year Reunion Lunch - Full Feast!

Dishes that I cooked:

• Hokkien mee - recipe from here.
• Garlic shrimp - recipe here
• Buddha's delight (vegetarian) - recipe here
• Steamed barramundi (must have for CNY!)
• Coke soy sauce chicken (from Buffalo smart cooker recipe book)
• Fried boiled eggs (mum's festive must have dish)

 And my aunt brought sashimi, crackling roast pork, tempura, a fruit platter, and a bottle of champagne.

All these food, for 5 adults and 2 young children. o_O!

2016 CNY Lunch

We ended up with lots of leftover - which is good - 年年有余!

Now to some photos. I took a picture of the girls in their cheong sam in the morning before we went to church. Yea, they were very happy with their special "costume" and many in church actually complimented their dress, and said that they were very cute. Eunice told me, "I don't like people say I am cute. I like it when they say I am pretty." Oh my goodness!

 

After my aunt's family left, we decided to have a family photo shoot. In actual fact, the girls were all sweaty and tired with all the playing with my cousin (look at their messy hair!). But I still insisted on photo shooting. So I had to bribe them that I'll let them have swimming session in the bath tub if they cooperated.

While EG was setting up the camera, we had some candid shots which I thought they were quite nice too.

1. Not very happy look

2. A trial shot - always have to remind Nat to just smile normal :P

3. Oops, EG's head got cropped off

4. Forgot what's the joke

5. Daddy, are you done yet?!

And finally, a good shot of our family in 2016 CNY!
(after some photo edit by EG)

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Hope this year bring good health and abundant of blessing to all of us! I am ending this post with a video of my girls wishing everyone Gong Xi Fa Cai! :)