2 yrs ago..

Has it really been two years??

On October 25, 2007, we boarded a Northwest airliner, and flew around the world. Starting the greatest adventure of our lives, to gather in our arms the best gift ever.

What great timing, leaving for China on my birthday, and the grand opening of the Crackel Barrel in our home town. Nothing like a huge plate of gravy and biscuits to start this great day!

I still can't believe its been two years- amazing!!

How great is this??

some bloggin' backlog

Cedar making a huge mess with some weaning formula


This past Sunday, we went to the pumpkin patch for a gathering with some friends, Here Elli Lu found her pumpkin:

This little one also had to come home with us because "it was lonely"

Enjoying the petting zoo
























Hiding between hay bales

Kenli is now three years old and celebrated her birthday with a fun filled week. She had cupcakes at Trinity Tots, ice cream at Preschool, dinner with family

at Ming Dynasty, a trip to Chucky Cheese with Mama and Baba, and a party with friends at Wee Bounce. (baba called it the "Kenli-palozza week"). She had her 3 yr well check and is now 31.5 pounds and 38 inches tall -- Just one more inch and we are headed to the slidewinder ride at Dollywood!! She had her first dental cleaning and did great, what a big girl she is getting to be. Last year at this time when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she responded "a Pumpkin". This year it is a toss up between a butterfly and a helicopter. I see some type of flying in our future.

We have a new temporary resident at our house. "Cedar" came to live with us when was 2 wks old and be staying with us until spring time when he is old enough (and hopefully smart enough) to go back into the great outdoors. He is now 11 wks old and almost weaned. No more night time feedings thankfully!! He has been lots of fun and he really really loves Kenli's "Aunt Ashe". He gets so excited when she comes over to play!!

Spicy girl Reunion 2009

This past weekend we traveled to St Louis for a reunion with our China travel group. 6 of the 9 girls adopted from Kenli's orphanage were able to attend and we had a wonderful time. It was amazing to see the girls together again. Grandma made these shirts for all the girls. The first day we went to the St Louis zoo with Kenli's China sister Audrey and her parents.

I love this expresson on Audrey's face when she saw this lizard:

Then we moved on to the river otters, Kenli and Audrey both love to watch them.

Red Foxes:

Train ride at the zoo:

Forever friends and family gathering

Last Saturday, we had a playdate with some friends. This is a photo of all the girls at Ming Dynasty after supper. We had a great time at Wee Bounce. Here are a few photos of all the fun:

The girls had so much fun- and all the parents too!

Here's a funny video of a Jamie/Kenli crash.

Happy 4th of July 2009

We had a great 4th of July celebration. Kenli told everyone we were celebrating "America", and " I use to live in China, but now I live in America". Here are a few of her July 4th pictures:

And a comparison with last year's July 4th pictures:

Hasn't she grown so much in just 12 months!!

Kenli's skates

Kenli is learning to skate, and is doing pretty good! She is so cute in all her "skating stuff".