Christmas photo time . . .

I love receiving photos from friends at Christmas so I feel obligated to make the effort as well. I must say that the task becomes a bit more complicated with each new family member; but thankfully, Aunt Diane was a willing photographer and continued to take pictures as I continued to shout orders at everyone . . . and I was rather pleased with the results.

Christmas photo time!

2, 4, 6, 8 . . . Who do we appreciate? . . . MOM!

This is the chant that I taught my kids on Sam's birthday! Shameful, isn't it? Whatever it takes to feel appreciated!

How about this cake! The kids and I still like to make "Funfetti" cupcakes for their school treats, but who can beat the Giant Eagle Bakery when it comes to fun cakes! Trucks and dirt! Does it get any better than that for a 4 year old boy who likes to call himself "a big man!" (That was the influence of the high school boys at the preschool last spring!)

Marney turns 8!

Eight! Next week, Sam turns 4 and my kids will be 2, 4, 6, and 8! Eight! Where is that baby I brought home from China in 2000! When I asked Marney she said, "I am right here in front of you, Mom!" You know, it is not easy being retired and staying home with my babies, but oh my! they won't be babies long. I am so grateful for opportunity.

WE LOVE HALLOWEEN!

My kids, like most kids their age, love to dress up. This fact makes Halloween rank way up their in holiday status pretty darn close to Christmas!We started the evening visiting Grandma in the hospital and then stopping at a few of our friends homes. Then it was to our house for dinner in the foyer--we did not want to miss anything--and passing out the candy. It was a very raining night in Western Pennsylvania and as I watched the drenched parents accompanying their kiddos, I felt very blessed to have such easy to please kids. I think that they enjoy seeing all the kids show up at our doorstep as much as they do collecting candy.

Pumpkins become Jack-O-Lanterns

Pre-Halloween fun--the making of the Jack-O-Lanterns. Jack's first experience, but Marney is really an old pro. It used to be an event that I saved for Halloween night. We would order pizza for dinner and welcome the Trick-or-Treaters to our home, of course, all dressed in costume. I knew that was too easy to last. So, here we are a week before Halloween creating our Jack-O-Lanterns. I hate the mess, but love the fun.

Does it get any better than this?

One night recently Marney said as I was tucking her into bed, "It was kind of a bad day wasn't it?" I cannot even remember what had happened to make her say that, but I remember my reply. It was, "You know, as long as I end my day with you, Tracy, Sam and Jack, it doesn't matter what kind of day it was--I'm happy!"

Jack just couldn't keep those pj pants on tonight; he kept crawling out of them so I finally put them on his head. He thought that was a riot and then everyone needed to get in on the act. Except Tracy, she preferred a picture with her new Halloween teeth! Oh, and Sam does not have "5 o'clock shadow" above his lip; just a grape gatorade mustache!

We love company!

Who would have thought our first Colorado friend to meet Jack would be Wild Bill O'Leary! The kids were thrilled when he showed up with his rig, but they still aren't sure what to make of his long hair. It seems to take them by surprise at each meeting. Well, it didn't take long for Bill to charm them and Sam was ready to ride shotgun! Maybe someday!

Happy Dance!

The only thing about this video is I remember that Marney was so happy she was silly. This was to be our last night at the White Swan and we were heading for home the next day; but you know that story! Oh well. We are here now and can happy dance at home!

I thought that this picture from the White Swan was kind of fun. Jack's outfit was so large; it won't fit him for a year, but he sure looked good for the photos! 

Our reunion and first meeting . . .

At the Pittsburgh International Airport! What a welcome sight!

Sam, already taking on the role of big brother and loving it!


How is this for a Welcome home! Pretty terrific! One is from Joan and the kids; the other from our neighbor boys! They had to be in the garage because we arrived in a downpour!

Life is good!

Marney with Chen Li, the woman that took care of her for the first 18 months of her life. I had a hard time keeping my emotions in check when I met her again after 6 years. I attribute the love that she gave to LiHua is the reason Marney is such a loving person.


Marney at her tile at the Philip Hayden Foundation. This is an overwhelming site as well! Tiles of orphans that have found loving homes. The tiles are a fundraiser for those left behind.

This photo is of Marney eating breakfast at the hotel. They had a wonderful buffet which included both Chinese and Western food. Marney filled up on watermelon and cucumbers! She must have eaten an entire watermelon at each meal!


Marney at The Great Wall! I know that I said it earlier in this blog, but I was really blown away by this experience. The enormity of the project and just imagining the workers so very many years ago--it was overwhelming! I just wish that we could have packed a lunch and spent the entire day hiking it--we were having so much fun!
I just had to share this photo as it pretty much shows Marney's mood prior to our picking up Jack. We really were on vacation for a few days before the work of adjusting to a new baby and, of course getting hime to adjust to us!

Every day I am sad that I could not take Tracy as she wants to know every single detail about our trip. She is just curious about everything. I still think it was the right decision for Sam and she is so enjoying kindergarten and learning so much every day that it just would have caused her too much turmoil at school to have missed so much. I think that she and Sam are doing very well even after having been left for so long and that is thanks to Joan, Linda, and Diane for taking such good care of them. I am so very grateful for that! There is no way to really thank people who take care and nurture your children when you cannot. I have been so blessed by friends and family who have pitched in. Marney stayed with our close friends in Aspen, the Schillers for over two weeks in 2002 when I traveled for Tracy and my brother, Bob, and his wife, Debbie, have watched my children more times than I can count including 2004 when Sam joined us! And Patti Seifert, if you are reading this . . . I missed your company on the trip!

September 19, 2006 was Gotcha Day!

Whew! 2 weeks have gone by! How did that happen!