August update

Wow!! August has come and gone very quickly. We had another busy month. Katie headed back to NJ early this summer to attend band camp and practice. We all miss her. She charged Sophia with watching her stuffed animals and Sophia is doing a great job checking on them every few days and ensuring they get enough "lovin" until Katie comes back.

We went to the County Fair where Sophia just jumped from ride to ride. She had a blast. She made new friends on almost every ride she went on. She is very daring and never seems to get tired out! We also went to a minor league baseball game seeing Sophia got a free ticket from her summer reading program. She thought the game was neat but really enjoyed the fireworks after the game a bit more. She wants to go back but only on fireworks night.


Sophia had fun playing with Baba at home this summer. Melissa gave her some of Damien's old trains and tracks to add to our set. Sophia and Baba were able to build a huge train track with it.


Sophia got into her make-up case this summer. Isn't she stunning?
Sophia has been talking about becoming five. She can't wait for fall for several reasons. She loves jumping in leaves, Halloween and, of course, her birthday. We walked by a party at the local park last weekend and they had ponies there and each kid got a ride. Guess what she wants to do on her birthday!!! Not sure how we are going to convince her to do something else. She also knows that the local horse center gives lessons starting at age five. She is anxious to go for a free trial lesson. We are hoping it ends there.

Steve had a couple of fun trips back in time for his French and Indian War re-enactments. He loves these weekends. Sophia and I are going to visit him this weekend. We are looking forward to that.

Gettysburg

We went to Gettysburg this summer for a couple of days. Katie had wanted to see it again seeing as she was about five the last time she went. Steve is up for anything history related and Sophia and I have never been. Steve planned a great trip for us.

We toured the museum and battlefields. The kids had a blast climbing on the rocks at Devil's Den and Little Round Top. We took a double-decker bus tour which Sophia loved. We went in some shops downtown.

As a little side trip, we went to the Land of Little Horses as something special for Sophia. It turned out to be a really interesting place with all sorts of animals and lots of very small horses. We all enjoyed it.

We stayed in a cabin at a campground. The campground had a swimming pool which was a little chilly but we made use of regardless of the temperature. We had a campfire at night complete with smores. It was really a great family weekend.

China Sisters reunion

All five families who traveled to China with us four years ago got together again this year. We stayed right outside Harper's Ferry, WV. It was amazing to see everyone. The girls have grown and matured so much over the past year. We even had an addition to the group this year. One family adopted a little boy in 2009. He had a blast with all the girls even though he was out numbered.

The weekend was very hot but that didn't slow down the girls. They all played so well together. We gave them some water balloons and wet sponges to stay cool. They picked raspberries at the retreat center.

The parents were able to sit back and chat while the kids all played. It is interesting to share stories. The bond the kids share is special. I know that the parents all feel connected in a special way after sharing of the amazing journey to China to bring our children home. It is also special to have the support we offer each other now that we are back.

We hope to do this every year. There is even talk about where we will go next year. Someone even brought up all going back to China together as part of a homeland tour together when the kids get a bit older. How cool would that be?

July 4 weekend

Nick and his girlfriend, Kim, came down for the July 4th weekend. It was so nice to have the entire family together. Nick has really matured over the past year. He is working full time in New York doing IT work. He has really found a wonderful person to share his time with. We really like Kim. She is easy to be around and a whole lot of fun. Sophia now has another special person in her life.

We went to the fireworks on July 3 as a family. It was a great show and Sophia was so brave. She covered her ears about 15 minutes before the show started and kept them covered the whole time but loved the fireworks. She especially liked the purple ones.

We went to Steve's mom's house on July 4th. It was a very hot day but the pool kept us cool. It was great to have us all together. We celebrated Grandma Beadle's birthday.

July 1- Referral Day

Wow!! Four years have gone by since we received the referral for Sophia. It seems like just yesterday we were waiting, not very patiently, to get information about our daughter. It seems like just yesterday we got the call that referrals had come in and were being translated. Sandy told us that our daughter was in Chongqing and seven months old. It seems like just yesterday that Sandy sat us down each with a picture in hand and told us to turn the picture over and take a look at our daughter. What an amazing day that was. A day we will never forget.

Every year I take a picture of Sophia on July 1st holding the very first picture we had of her. It is amazing to see how she has grown through the years.

2006- referral photo2007
2008
2009
and this year

June update

Sophia went fishing with her BaBa. I tagged along this time. After a lot of patience they finally caught a fish. It was a tiny fish but the excitment it brought was huge. It is so nice so see a father and daughter do things together. Steve is totally involved with all his children. I don't see too many fathers as involved as he is.


Katie graduated from middle school this year. We went to New Jersey to attend the graduation. We are so proud of Katie. She has grown so much. She had a blast introducing Sophia to all her friends. Katie and Nick both share a special bond with Sophia.


Anne's friend, Tracy came up to visit. She and her daughter and another mom and daughter went to DC and New York on this trip. We were able to spend a night with them. Sophia had a blast playing with Tracy's daughter, Julianna and her friend. It was so nice to catch up with Tracy. We have been friends since we were in kindergarten. She moved to Texas in third grade but came back to visit and spent a whole summer one year. We have been in touch since. Seeing Tracy was so much fun.


Sophia and I went to pick some rasberries. We had such a blast. We picked red raspberries, black raspberries, tart cherries and spinach. We made smoothies, berry pancakes and a yummy syrup as a dessert topping. We can't wait to go again.

Florida!!

Sophia and I were lucky enough to spend a week in Florida with Heather and Katlyn. It was such an awesome trip. She stayed at Heather's dad's house. The house is right on the Sarasota Bay. It was beautiful. Sophia and I went down a couple of years ago for a few days but this time we decided to stay the whole week.

The girls got along great. We went to the beach, the pool, mini-golfing, a farm where they rescue animals, a park, an aquarium and shopping.

One night we brought dinner to the beach. The seagulls swarmed. One was trying to get a chicken leg from Sophia. I took the chicken to get the bird away from her and in seconds that bird swooped down and stole the chicken leg right from my hand. It was wild.

It is hard to say what our favorite part was. I enjoyed the sunsets on the beach. Heather and I brought snacks and something to drink and enjoyed the sunset while the girls dug in the sand and played at the shore line. There were some hammerhead sharks and sting rays sited in the area so we made sure the girls did not go far into the water.

May Update

We started out the month with a picture of Sophia in front of the azalea bushes. This is becoming our yearly tradition.

May 1st

This year......

Last year (2009).....

Two years ago (2008)....
May 2 was a BIG day. We went to visit Thomas the Tank Engine at the train museum. Sophia took this day seriously. She began to plan her outfit days in advance. She had to look good after all. She tried on dress after dress until she decided on the perfect dress. She was so excited to see Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt. The smile on her face and joy in her voice was amazing.

Sophia had her dance recital on May 7. She did a fantastic job. I was worried that she wouldn't let me put her hair up in a bun or put on her make-up but she did fine. She did a super job on stage. She was one of the few kids in her class that actually did most of the dance. She was in her element, shining on stage.

We started our vegetable garden and then had a cold snap. Thankfully all the plants made it. The fence BaBa added this year is keeping the dogs out of the garden and the plants alive. I love gardening. I wish I had more time to do it.

Katie came down of one of Steve's reenacting weekends. Katie decided to join him and spend a couple of days in 1760's. She had a blast dressing up and working around the camp. She had so much fun she plans on joining him again.
Sophia had her turn a few weeks later when she went on a day trip re-enacting with BaBa.

After getting all dressed up for Thomas, Sophia must have decided it was fun to wear dresses. She has all her dressed hanging up on her bed rail now. Every day she picks a new dress to wear. I think she has worn only dresses every day this month.

We went to the zoo and farm a few times this month. It was a month packed with all fun things.