Fun with Yie Yie

The past week was filled with much fun and good times. It will likely take a few posts to get through it all. To start off-- We FINALLY received our approval documents from the US Immigration Office to move forward with our second adoption. The approval date was July 17th, but we found out on the 18th, which, as many of you know-- is Wim's B-day.

This was a really nice way to kick off our week vacation along with an always highly anticipated visit from Uncle Earl, who has now been officially dubbed, "Yie Yie." I am not sure if this is the correct spelling-- pinyin, I'll have to check. But, it means Grandpa in Mandarin. One of Josie's cartoon's has a Yie Yie in it and we thought it would be fun for her to have a Yie Yie of her very own.

Without further ado, Yie Yie, on the night he arrived. There is a whole lot to the story of this night and all was captured, somewhat, on video. I will try to get it posted in the coming weeks.

Josie Dong Dong wasn't exactly sure what to think about Yie Yie the first morning, but it didn't take her long to find out what he is really like.

"Mommy is really happy to see you Yie Yie. I am happy too. Mommy is cooking breakfast for you and us. I am going to cook for you too!"

"Yie Yie! That's silly! You don't wear eggs on your eye! You eat them. Here, have some coffee. Mommy drinks coffee with breakfast."

"Yie Yie is funny!!! I like him. Look at the big breakfast I cooked for him!"

"I'm glad you came to visit me Yie Yie!"

We spend several days going to the beach. We've had the rainiest July on record since they started keeping records! Look out Seattle, here we come!

Luckily, we had a three day sprint of beach weather and made the most of it.

Josie Dong Dong loves hanging out with here Jie Jie and Guh Guh.


Everyone wanted to try and build a sea wall to stop the tide from washing onto our beach blankets. Gabrielle and Xavier crafted a plan.


As hard as they tried, the sea decided to claim the wall and our beach spot! We actually had to move back THREE times because the tide was coming in so high.

Josie Dong Dong was getting a little Wiley after the sea wall, so I decided to take control of her the best I could.

"Look at what My Mommy did to me!!!"

"Again Mommy! Doooo AGAAAIIINNNN!"

Here we are-- a different day, different beach. Wim is kicking back with a good book.

Yie Yie took to the water like a native New Englander.

The water was a bit more calm on this day and much to our surprise-- Wim found a quahog while wading around in the water.

For our friends outside of New England, Quahogs are type of hard shelled clam.

Josie Dong Dong was a little tentative about the clams, especially when she saw them moving round with their big, pink slimy foot.

"I no like it Jie Jie!"

Here are Jie Jie, Yie Yie, and Josie at our beach site looking at the clams.

Soon, the whole gang, sans a few of us were out in the water seeking out our supper for the night.

"Hey! Wait for me! I want to find clams too!!!"

More Parties

As you can see, much fun was on hand last weekend at Josie's cousins birthday party-- Abbie and Nate.

Josie Dong Dong got the party started with a rousing hop around the bounce house.






It didn't take Josie long to notice the kiddie pool at the back of the yard--

Different party, different pool, same action shots!

Watch out boys! Here comes Josie Dong Dong!













Watch out! She's loaded and ready to squirt without warning!










Wim and Gabrielle found a nice spot in the shade where they could watch the all the action in the wave pool.

Xavier spent most of the day reading.

Little Emily was full of so much fun and cheer-- she couldn't contain herself!



Several of the 'bigger' girls made sand art jewelry. Josie is a lucky little girl to have a super nice big sis to help her out.

The Birthday Girl, cousin Abbie, showing off the "Gem" of her sand art necklace.

Gabrielle coaxed Xavier away from his book to climb a tree with her.

Birthday boy Nate, emerged from his nap a little bewildered by everyone at his house-- but ready to join in the fun and games!

Abbie showing off her tattoo.

Gabrielle muscling-up to carry Josie Dong Dong and little cousin Emily. What a pretty trio they make!

This one is short and sweet! I am now just starting my vacation and we are off to the airport to pick up Uncle Earl, who is officially being crowned as Josie Dong Dong's Yie Yie on this visit-- that is Mandarin for Grandpa.

"My Yie Yie is coming to see me today!"

Tickling Mr. Sun

Hi Everyone! Mr. Sun has finally decided to come out and play with us and I am making the most of it with my friend Grace!

Me and Grace had a great time Friday afternoon and Saturday! Our mommies took us to the zoo and a little Carousel Park on Friday afternoon. Grace and I really liked the "Gurl- affs"-- it was feeding time and we were able to watch them eat.

We also saw Red Panda at the zoo, but Mommy says she can't get the zoo pictures to upload.

Here are me and Grace riding bucking bronco Hippo at the Carousel park. It was a lot of fun!

Grace and I also had several turns riding the carousel. I rode a pony once, but after that I rode a beautiful purple dragon on all my other turns. The dragon was my most favorite!

Grace really liked riding a pony just behind me. We both laughed and giggled while riding. Grace liked it so much, she cried when her Mommy took her off the pony.


We all met at the beach on Saturday morning and had lots of fun playing in the sand and splashing around. I brought my Jie Jie and Guh Guh along to play with us.

Guh Guh is really good at digging holes at the beach.

Grace brought her beach cart and I helped Jie Jie pull her in it. Then Daddy tried to pull me, but said I was too big because I am older than Grace.

Grace and I had so much fun playing at the beach. We shared our toys with each other so we had twice as much fun!


Grace and I gave ourselves a body scrub. Hey where do they keep the seviche showers at the beach?

Then Grace spotted the yummy snacks our mommies brought for us.

Oh boy! Nothing beats juicy cold "watermello" on a hot summer day at the beach!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Splish Splash-- This is the best kind of bath!!!

After tons of more rain, doom and gloom with the weather, we finally got a break for the 4th of July weekend. Wim's Uncle Martin and Aunt Ceil always host an annual Clam Bake for the family on the 4th of July. This is always a fun family event and everyone has a great time.

This was Josie Dong Dong's 2nd time attending the 4th of July party and she really made a splash to say the least! She showed no fear in keeping up with her older cousin Ethan. The were two water bugs all day long. Jumping in the pool and being very silly with each other.

Even Little Cousin Emily got in on some of the splash action.

This picture pretty much sums up the whole day.

A few brave adults (besides the water bug parents) also hung out around the kiddie pool and took in few good splashes (wanted or not!).

Brad, Barbara, and Terry Chase and Judy Emma and Marie Chase

We manage to get Josie out of the pool for a little while-- to eat and hang out with some of the other guests. This is Josie, cousin Abbie, and Gabrielle.

Abbie was very impressive with her bubble blowing skills. Josie still hasn't quite figured out how to do it.

The Chase and Van Hof Men tried to keep to their own circle for most of the day. But hey, they made a good fire and baked a heck of a lot of clams so who cares!

Xavier had a great time *working* the fire after the clam baking part was over. He was very proud of the fire he got started from the embers that were left.

Josie, being the perfect little sister that she is-- Cheered him on from the side lines. She is very proud of her Guh Guh and all that he does.

After all of this it was time for . . . . . . . .

More Pool Action!

Josie was chanting "swim like a fwoggy."

Cousin Nate and his little sister Emily wanted to bounce on the side of the pool.

Their older second cousin Emma was helping.

The crazy loon you see leaping in the background is Josie Dong Dong-- flying through the air into the water of her own accord.

Awe! Ethan and Josie took time out from splashing to give each other a hug.

Wim's Brother surprised him with an offer to go see the Red Sox play today. So he is off doing the baseball thing.

It is finally nice out so this morning Josie and I decided to hit the beach.

Josie wanted to cruise the seashore before we settled in. Here she is chasing a "birdie."

For most the week leading up to the 4th, and for most of June, we've simply been trying to keep dry.

Last weekend we went to a fun party at Josie's friend's Grace's house. It was a super fun party with three different bounce houses, all kinds of bubbles, a toddler roller coaster and tons of food.

Once we got past the monsoon that hit early evening-- everyone had a great time and the bounce houses were like water rides at a theme park.

Josie and her friend Callie playing with bubbles.

Josie trying to blow bubbles.

Josie, Callie and Callie's Mommy, Laurie playing with the bubbles. Behind is the mother of all bounce houses that Josie Dong Dong was determined to go in!

Lucky for Josie Dong Dong-- her Jie Jie and Guh Guh were willing to take her to the top of the big slide and slide down with her.

We topped off the night with several rides on the toddler roller coaster. We were all amazed at how well the girls took turns. I think it was Gabrielle's influence as a big girl helping them all get on and off take turns.


Here is Baby Grace-- zipping down the coaster.

Josie Dong Dong shared well, but was always ready for when it was her turn!

Here is a picture of Josie and Gabrielle. Gabrielle was sitting in one of Josie's chairs. Josie got the other chair and put it next to Gabrielle. Then she "Ordered" Wim, "Daddy! Picture NOW!"

I think Josie Dong Dong Loves her Jie Jie A LOT!