Dora, Santas, and Christmas!

When we got back from Phuket we heard that Dora was going to be at one of the thousand malls around here, so we decided to go. I don't think we would have gone if we knew what we were in for. Imagine lots and LOTS of pushy parents and over-excited kids waiting and waiting in line just to get some Nickelodeon swag (we thought we were waiting to see Dora) only to find out that the line to meet Dora was forming hours later. So, we waited around and got back in the line to get a photo pass, and then had to go back to get in a line to get a picture with Dora, which turned out to be kids getting herded across a stage with a picture being snapped somewhere in front of a GIANT scary Dora who speaks Chinese instead of Spanish. Of course, Tilly loved it and we couldn't get out of there fast enough. Here, Tilly is waiting patiently in one of the lines with Dora.

Waiting at the stage for Dora to arrive.

Dora in all her glory - isn't it scary?

Santa was another scary experience. The malls here usually have Santas but there is no formal photo taken. To get a picture you just have to push your way to the front of a crowd to get a security guard to let you through the ropes, and then you have about five seconds to have someone take a picture. In all the chaos, there was no way Tilly was going alone, so I ended up in our Santa photo for the year.

On Christmas Eve we went to the KL Aquarium. The best part was a tunnel with a conveyer belt that moved you through a huge tank with sharks and sting rays, giant turtles and lots of other fish swimming all around you. Though, if you ask Tilly what her favorite thing there was, she will say Scuba Santa.

Scuba Santa!

Chris's hand came dangerously close to getting eaten by a shark...

The rest of the Meltons went away for Christmas Eve so we had a quiet Christmas morning. Here is Tilly's first peek at the tree with presents.


The only thing Tilly wanted Santa to bring was a backpack.

Checking it out to see how it looks...

She likes it!

We had a relaxing Christmas Day at the playground and the pool.

Like Father like daughter.

We kind of combined Christmas and Hannukah this year because Jon and Tania brought Tilly her own menorah. Here she is lighting the candles all by herself!


Bubba and Yaya got Tilly an Ernie doll. She loves him!

We had a great holiday and just realized that we only have three weeks left of our trip. This week we're heading to Penang, an island on the West coast of the peninsula with the rest of the fam, and then back here for New Year's. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and we wish you all a Happy New Year!