New Hampshire with Ye Ye

The evening after we returned from the Cape, the girls and I were onto another adventure.  Ye Ye arrived around midnight so the girls got to get up and see Mr. Moon on the way to pick him up from the airport.



Josie showing Ye Ye a picture she made for him.



In New Hampshire we had fun swimming and frog hunting at a pond.

The frogs were plentiful!

Josie had tons of fun swimming in the mountain lake.

Ye Ye and Clara Rose mostly hung out on shore.

Josie doing a handstand with some help from Daddy and many

cheers from her big sibs.

Later in the evening we grilled out and went for a walk.

Ye Ye was mighty happy with his beer and the chickens.

A Historical Cemetary down the road from our home-away-from-home.

Clara Rose and Ye Ye posing in front of a little farm stand.

Xavier, Josie, and Gabrielle roasting marshmellows for smores.

"Ummm, I like just the marshmellows."

Our fearless shirpa all gooed up with smores.

Cape Cod with Friends from China

We are very happy to have been able to visit and spend quality time with some dear friends we met while in China adopting Josie. Josie and I spent a good deal of time with Jenna, Caroline and their family especially after Wim left and we remained in China for a third week.

The girls had a great time when we arrived decorating with stickers.

Josie requested I bring her and Clara Rose's fave cupcakes to celebrate being with thier friend Caroline.

 We have only been able to get together once since the girls were adopted, that was about two years ago. Josie and Caroline got together wonderfully when we were togther two years ago and during this visit it was abundantly clear that they haven't missed a beat with each other and are still very much in sync!

Josie, Caroline, and Clara Rose snuggled up watching cartoons before bedtime.

The girls waiting to be served breakfast.

We had a GREAT DAY at the beach!

The beach we went to is wonderful-- especially for little ones.

You can walk out quite far and still not be very deep.

 Josie and Caroline were all giggles swimming with each other. Both girls are water-bugs and are really good at swimming a short distance under water.

 The girls quickly discovered little baby hermit crabs in the more

shallow areas and began collecting.

Showing off some of thier collection of hermit crabs (we let them go before we left the beach).

 After the beach we went of for some yummy lunch and  . . .

 ice-cream afterward.

 Then it was time for us to head home-- a wonderful time, but oh so short!

How we wish we lived closer and could visit more often!

Chinese WaterFire and the Oracle

Saturday evening we had a late night walking around the Water Fire activities in Providence. For those not in RI, water fire is basically lighting a bunch of bon fires on the river. There is music, live art, etc.

This water fire was sponsored by Bryant College's Chinese Program.

One of the shows was Mei Mei and several of the girls' friends were in the show.

 Josie's face lit up when they sang the "Hello Dong Dong" song.

 After the dance show we walked around a bit.

 Before lighting the fires a boat floated by with a big dragon on board.

 We managed to meet up with Carly, Claire and their Mommy for a little while.

The girls were very intrigued by this mime that would move and blow a kiss when someone put a dollar in her cup.

Josie wasn't going near her!

 Josie really enjoyed looking at the fires on the water and listening to the

Chinese Opera Singer.

Further down we came across the Oracle, a Gargoyle, and a Fortune Teller--

more mimes (?) that were like statues until someone put a dollar in their cup.

(Note these are art students)

 Gabrielle was the first to brave the scene and went straight for the Gargoyle!

Josie and Clara Rose really wanted to visit the Oracle and

insisted I had to go with them . . .

 Josie was so excited when the Oracle reached her hand out to her, Josie took her hand and began twirling under the Oracle while holding her hand--- spiels of giggles followed

and . . .

Not just from Josie-- her spiels actually made the Oracle smile and giggle a bit too-- she broke her character for just a few seconds. I told Josie she broke through the Oracle's spell and Oh boy was she pleased with herself!

More views of the pretty fires as we walked back to the car.

How tired does Wim look?

Our fearless and somewhat tireless shirpa through it all!

Birthday Pool Party for Three

We had an eventful weekend--

To start, I took the girls to see thier first movie at a theater-- Winnie the Pooh!

Premier Patrons received their very own Tigger Ears!

Satruday we headed off to our In-Laws for a birthday bash-- the guests of honor included Nate (6), Abbie (9) and Wim (not disclosing).

 All the cousins plus Abbie's friend had a great time swimming and playing.

Josie swimming under water.

 Emily looking sweet in her float toy.

 Cheri and Abbie.

 Nate-- smiling with no front teeth!

The Birthday Celebrities!

 WOW!  Look at Nate Jumping over his dad's head!

Emily, Nie Nie, and Clara Rose.

 Lastly, the ever so lovely birthday girl! She sure is growing up!