Urumqi reunion

Back of the house

View of the river from top deck

Lily and puppy Copper

Hot tub "swimming"

Munching on pinata candy

Vivi and Lily with Copper(no animals were harmed in the taking of this picture)

brother and sister love: Vivi and Tonito

Breakfast for a crowd

Drew and Luke horse around

We were able to get together with two of the families we traveled with to Urumqi China back in March this weekend. Both families also adopted boys, one younger than Luke and one older. It was a treat to see them together again. We missed not having Steve and Dianna with us but did discuss a group trip to Disney World (in their neck of the woods) sometime in the future.

Kimber's family owns a vacation home on the current river outside of Doniphan Missouri. Nicer than most people's everyday home, we were able to relax and watch the kids "swim" in the hot tub, take a boat ride on the river, eat wonderful food, whack at a pinata and just relax and get caught up on our kid's progress since leaving China. It has only been just shy of 6 months and already the transformation in each child is amazing. In all we had up to 8 kids running around and 10 adults running after them and no one ended up fighting (kids, or adults) we had a few minor injuries but considering we let them roast marshmallows with sharp sticks next to a swirling river in the dark of night, I think we did very well. Kimber's Mom and Dad joined us on Saturday along with another family that are friends of Kimber and Scott. It was so nice to see Philip and Patsy again as they traveled with the group to China as well to meet their new grandson Drew.

Soon after the kids got reacquainted with each other, the girls (Lily and Vivi) paired up to play with the puppy and the three boys did what boys like to do (chase each other and act like Kung Fu Panda) The kids all started Friday night in sleeping bags on the floor but by morning, Tonito was the only one left. Lily joined John and I almost immediately and Luke came sometime in the night. It was a good thing we were in a king sized bed.

Kim and Scott outdid themselves hosting the group and I know that although Kim would say, "it was no trouble at all" it was clear that she had spent a bit of time preparing food and making sure all would be comfortable.

We hope to visit Becky and Antonio again in December in Chicago and am trying to convince the Miller's to come over for the weekend to attend our big Chinese New Years party.

Enjoy the pictures!

Three Fulingers

We attended the annual Moon festival in Chesterfield park on Sunday. Unfortunately the weather was cold and very windy. We held our ground and ate our potluck and moon cakes and the kids had a great time running around the park and hardly complained at all about the chilly conditions. The kids all huddled together on the South side of the pavilion while Linda Sun told the story behind the Moon festival. My two decided to leave the story scene and play on the swings. Hope, Lily and Jada are all from the same orphanage in Fuling China and so there is a special bond there. I think there have been around 1200 adoptions from that particular orphanage since 2001 and we happen to have been lucky enough to have all traveled there, but not at the same time. I think the bond is more special to us parents at this point, but as the girls grow, they will come to realize what a small world it really is.

Chris and Lindsey Wedding

Ok, it has been a long time between postings. I have some new photos I wish to share of my nephew's wedding this past weekend. Lily was the flower girl. We headed for Wichita on Friday and made it just in time for the rehearsal. Lily did not cooperate at the rehearsal. The fact that she was supposed to walk down the aisle with a boy threw her off guard. I think it was the fact that she had to share the spot light with a boy. She promised to perform when the time came and she lived up to her word. She did not have the happiest expression on her face, but she did her part and stood in place the entire wedding. After the wedding on Saturday there was a dinner and then a dance with a DJ. Luke and Lily danced for three hours straight. I started pouring water into them thinking they might be getting a little dehydrated. I have never seen so much energy. Luke really loves to dance and was trying to imitate a form of break dancing. He was one sweaty boy by the time we left for the hotel. We were able to see both of my sisters and their families. My niece Angie is getting married in April so we will all be together again soon. Enjoy the photos.