Reunion

For the past three summers we have gotten together with some of the other families that traveled in our group over to China to adopt.  At that time, it was the first adoption for all of us.  Since then, 2 out of the 4 of us have gone back (some multiple) times, to adopt additional kiddos.  It is always so fun to get together, reminiscence, hear about upcoming and future adoptions, compare notes, laugh and of course marvel at how the Lord has used the beauty of adoption to grow families in ways none of us could ever have imagined.

It was a busy day filled with jumping on the trampoline, a loose interpretation of a volleyball match, climbing on the jungle-gym, driving around on various riding toys, and of course chatting.  I was sure the Noodle was going to konk-out in the car on the way home...nope, she stayed awake!  I wasn't so sure about J--I think he played just as hard as she did :)

 

To all the families--we had so much fun catching up and seeing you!  We can't wait until next summer to do it all again!

As a side note, this was the first time the girls would sit for a group photo and that everyone seemed in a happy mood.  In years past, there was always someone having somesort of melt-down!  Ha!!

2009

 

2010

2011

Running off steam

We met up with our friends, who we traveled with, for dinner since they were up in our neck of the woods for their son's basketball tourney.  All 3 girls were quiet at the start, but by the end, well I think the pictures speak for themselves!

After listening to the adults blather on and on, all 5 kids were ready to run off a little steam! 

 I love how the little peanut on the right is looking at the other 2 like, "You guys crack me up!  What goofy-balls!"

P#nera lunch

Today the Noodle and I were fortunate enough to eat lunch with a family that traveled with us to China.  They live about 4 hours away, but have a close family member staying at the hospital in our city for an "extended stay", and so are up here for a few days.  Amidst snowy conditions and frigid temperatures we ventured out to meet them at P#nera. 

Did someone say cheese?

It was fun to connect, catch up and chat about life and all that is going on, especially with the 2 girls.  At the end of the lunch, we attempted to get some photos.  L was cooperative, but the Noodle was being goofy.  You'll also notice the red ring around her mouth...tomato soup--yummy on a cold day!

Bundle and cuddle up!

Advent chain--Day 7

"Write a letter to Santa"

O.k., so maybe dictate is more accurate!  I was going to have the Noodle cut out pictures from the circulars (since she so obviously looooves to do this anyway) but then I realized that she's really just cutting out the characters because she likes them, rather than liking the actual object that the characters are on.  Ha ha--might confuse Santa a bit if he saw on her list Ka-Chow underwear or something similar!

If you're interested in doing this with your little one, I found this cute site to use as the template.

We also hooked up with friends, that we traveled to China with, for lunch.  It was so fun catching up and of course seeing how much the girls have grown and changed.  We last saw them this summer, so it was good to reconnect.  We just wish that our other travel buddies could have joined us, but considering the weather and the distance, we'll just have to do it again, but with a bit more planning!

 Love all those smiley faces!

Somehow we managed to have them sit for one last picture because seconds before it looked more like this...with ear-piercing squeals!

 

Here's a photo taken about this time two years ago.  My how time flies!!

Reunion Part I

2010

2009

We hooked up with some of the families that we traveled in China with 2 years ago, at a picnic today. Some have gone back for their second (or third) and so there were new faces as well as familiar ones. Swimming, jumping on the tramp, swinging, eating, laughing and general mayhem were the order of the day, for both kids and dads--they were just as into it as the little ones. The mom's played it smart and stayed under the umbrellas to socialize. Thanks so much to our gracious hosts! We had a great time and took your advice RE: P*i Wei (the chicken teryaki w/brown rice, chicken pad thai and mango chicken w/brown rice were delish!!). Also, thanks Mr. E for catching up with us and returning the special vest. You're a "lifesaver"--tee hee!

1,2,3,4,5 JUMP!
WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!



Don't let the face fool ya--she loved every minute of it!

Travel reunion--2009

The "big" girls helping the "little" girls.
Wheeee!!!!!!!!!
Seconds before almost everyone erupted into tears.
This past weekend we had the great opportunity to hook back up with some of the families we traveled with to China. All 5 families live within a few hours of each other and so last winter we determined that over the summer we would get together. It was so much fun to reconnect with everyone in person (not over e-mail or through their blogs) but the highlight was certainly seeing how much the girls have grown, changed and adapted!! Wow. Amazing. God is so good.

Even though the weather was iffy, the kids were able to go run around outside, jump on the trampoline and climb all over the huge jungle-gym. They were in heaven. Eventually the guys ended up out there too, while the women stayed inside talking and catching up. Isn't that always how it works out?

Now for the "now" and "then" shots:

AWAA get together

Look how big we've gotten (and how our hair has grown!!)

A few days ago the Chinese Noodle and I met up with another AWAA family who traveled to China with us. They live about an hour away and were coming to our neck of the woods to pick up a relative at the airport. We caught up over breakfast at Bob Evan's, marveled at how much bigger our daughters have gotten in just 4 months, and traded stories. It was a wonderful chance to reconnect and definitely a Christmas blessing to see what a little bit of love can do for a child. Praise the Lord that these little girls will be experiencing a different Christmas this year than they did last year!!!