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!

Moose, Zebras and Goats

One of the great things about going on a trip that someone else has planned-- you don't have to think. You just jump into the other person's vehicle and enjoy the ride.

Whoa! Wait a minute who is that driving?? It's Josie's friend "Airline!" Maybe this isn't such a great thing after all!!!


OK. I meant to post this sooner, but we all know how time goes. This is the final post from Dong Dong and Mommy's adventure in Texas. Our final full day was a blast at a wildlife safari park.

With "airline" and her mommy at the wheel and Josie and I in the back, unhindered by seat blast and baby seats, we had a blast feeding some pretty crazy looking beasts.

Josie especially liked the Zebras. She went from window to window in the backseat so she could feed and pet all the zebras that came up on both sides of the SUV.

This Zebra seemed to especially like us as well.

After driving through the Wilds of Africa-- Texas style, we were able to run around the petting zoo filled with mostly with goats and sole little piggy.

Josie was extremely happy running around feeding all the animals.
You can see "airline" there in the background to the left. She was pretty amazed by the goats as well!

Josie not only fed the goats, but she petted, hugged, and kissed them as well.

I have to admit, the goats had much better manners than our Golden Retriever back at home.

Josie took a break from the goats to visit the little piggy. She fed him and hung out at his cage for quite a while.

Then it was back to the goats.

Josie and her friend Audrey were commenting that the goat poo looked very similar to the food we were given to feed them.






It was a wild animal fun filled afternoon and Josie and her friend "airline" were out for the count.

We drove back to Austin and spent our last afternoon and evening in Austin at "airline's" house. Thanks to her Mommy and Daddy for putting us up and the airport pick-up and drop off!!!!

We had a great time.

Josie talked to her Jie Jie and Guh Guh on the phone while galloping on "airline's" bouncing pony. She was telling them all about the goats.
Josie and "Airline" had a mucho fun galloping on the horse and before we knew it-- it was time for bed and our big plane ride home.
The trip to Texas really did a lot for Josie. During the trip and since returning home-- her vocabulary has really exploded and she is talking up a storm. "Airline" also taught Josie about going potty and Josie has now begun asking to go potty instead of going in her diaper.

She is a whole new Josie Dong Dong!

Children's Museum and Splash Fun

On our 2nd full day in Texas we headed out to a Children's Museum. As you can see, Josie Dong Dong and her new friend "airline" were settling in just fine to our new adventurous routine.

"I wonder where we are off to today?!"

The Children's Museum was really cool with lots of fun and interesting things.




Many of the kids started the visit off at the space rocket.

"Does anyone know how to count down from 10? Or even to 10?"

Astronaut Dong Dong manning the controls.

Another big hit-- a kiddie sized ambulance with red lights that really worked.

"Baby Chickens in there!"

Josie was very interested in the baby chicks just behind these cow-poke horses.

This area was a play bank with ATM machine and lots of MONEY!!

This little rebel made a getaway with a shopping cart out to the water fun section.

The rest of the kiddie-pops were quick to follow.

The water table was huge and big hit with all the kids-- regardless of age.

"I can help push that cart if you need it."

There was even a small rock wall, but most of the girls were really interested in the shopping cart that had made its way outside.

Back inside, several of the girls had fun shopping in the little grocery store.

Before we left the museum everyone surprised me and one of the other families with a baby shower for our in-process adoptions. I didn't get any pictures, but wanted to say "THANKS" again to all of the families. It was really very sweet and I feel so lucky to have these people as part of our life.

Back at the homestead several folks opted to buy some kiddie pools for the younger girls to splash around in while the bigger kids either went tubing or to the water park across the street.

Here is a picture of the tubers in the river in front of our porch.

Josie and "Airline" splashing in one of the pools.

A close-up shot of the tubers. It was a regular speedway of tubers down the river.

Several of the girls and some parents hanging out around one of the kiddie pools.

After cooling off and eating dinner it was time for some more fun and games inside the house.





Harper is about a year younger than Josie and her Mommy planned this fun get together.

"These are YUMMY!"


Josie and "Airline" sharing some grapes.

"Have some 'P' Lily."

Proof that Josie Dong Dong made some good friends-- here she is sharing her beloved "P" with her new friend Lily.

Anyone that knows Dong Dong even a little, knows she doesn't just share her "P" with anyone!







The bigger girls continued fun and games outside.

To end the night we made our best attempt to get a picture of all the girls together. It went slightly better than the Red Couch photo shoot in China.


Next on the list . . . our Wild Safari Trip! Stay Tuned. You don't want to miss it!