Here I am on June 30th at 11:30 p.m. trying to publish my last two posts for June! Where do the days go? Loving Life with Shu and Jie is extremely busy . . . . and exhausting . . . . but I am truly "loving every day of it". . . . . Well, almost every day!! On June 21st Ken celebrated his first Father's Day being a "father of three!". Drew was on vacation but took some time out from his "Phish Tour" to call him and wish him a Happy Father's Day! That was a nice surprise. The girls and I gave him some nice presents then took him to his favorite restaurant for brunch. That evening Ken decided he wanted to take the girls to Memphis Kiddie Park. The park wasn't busy and we had a great time watching the girls on all the rides. Shu Shu loves this place but we were'nt sure how Jie would react there. To our surprise she went from ride to ride like it was something she was doing all her life! Too cute! She even went on the roller coaster!

"Happy Father's Day Daddy!"

My two brave girls!

The proud father waiting for his girls on the Ferris Wheel!

"Can we do this again Mommy?"

Jie's and Daddy's first ride on the "scary" Little Dipper. I went on this last year with Shu Shu and vowed I would never ride it again. After Ken got off he said the same thing . . . . . then when we were ready to go he told Shu she could pick one more ride to go on and guess what she picked? The Little Dipper! Being the great Dad he is he went on it one more time for Shu Shu!At first the girls are so excited to ride the roller coaster . . .

as the ride starts . . . they are not so sure! going up the hill . . . . .

holding on for their lives at the end of the ride! Too funny!

Mommy and her girls waiting for Cotton Candy!

It doesn't take Jie long to figure out she loves Cotton Candy!

This was the best Father's Day ever!!!!

Happy Birthday to Jie Jie!

On June 20th . . . . .after my last post! . . . . we celebrated Jie's second birthday. She turned two on March 30th but we were unable to celebrate it with her since she was in China. We decided now that she was home she deserved a party! Two is a very important age! She absolutely loved all of it from start to finish! She was the typical two year old who kept opening presents and wanting to play with them immediately only to have them taken away by Mommy so she could open another one. A little confusing but when she was done she (and Shu Shu too!) had a great time playing with all the new stuff!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Let's get this party started!

Sisters having fun on the blanket!

Matching bathing suits from Aunt Sue . . . (Shu Shu got almost as many presents as Jie Jie!)

Shu Shu has been wanting this Disney Princess Bike for months so we decided to surprise her with it on Jie's birthday. She was so suprised! . . . . she couldn't believe it!
A new bike for Jie too!
"I love my new doll and stroller!"

"Oh. . . . how I love birthday parties! Is all I really need is this new vacuum cleaner and Dora Explorer bike . . . . and of course my new quilt from Granny Harp!

It's so hard to believe that we have only been blessed with Jie Jie in our lives for a little over 6 weeks now. She has become so much a part of our lives, it is like she has been with us for a lot longer. The girls are getting along so much better now and are actually starting to enjoy each other's company. I can now leave them alone for about 10 minutes (instead of 2!) until a "disagreement" breaks out! LOL! We are still having a few "sleep" issues with both the girls but other than that they are both doing great. Jie Jie is still walking around constantly speaking Chinese and singing little songs to herself but seems to understand really well what I am trying to communicate to her. She will try to repeat most English words that I say to her but sometimes get's stubborn and walks away from me in a huff! Except of course when I am holding up a sucker or piece of candy . . . . . she can say "candy" really clear and "Me... Me" when she sees me with any kind of snack food. She loves candy and snack foods . . . . just like her Daddy!

My two beautiful girls all ready for bed! (Yes . . .they have matching clothes and matching pajamas!)

Hi Jie Jie . . . I'm Sheila the sheep . . . Baa Baa! Shu Shu is so funny!

Jie Jie has a problem of tripping and falling all the time . . . . the scrape and bruise on her cheek is from an accident at Aunt Susie's house! Shu Shu hasn't played with her dolls in the last 2 years and now because Jie Jie loves dolls . . . . . she loves them too! Her doll's name is "baby Shu Shu"!

Everytime I tell Jie Jie to say "cheese" she holds up her fingers like this . . . . it is too funny! I think she is trying to make the "peace sign" like the kids do in China when you take their picture.

Saying "cheese" . . . doing the splits . . . . and holding her fingers up! . . . . now that's talent!

O.K. . . . now I am caught up for June! This afternoon we are having a "Big Birthday Bash" for Jie's second birthday at Aunt Susie's. . . . then tomorrow is Father's day and we are taking Ken to a Father's Day Brunch. I will try to post pictures of the events before July! LOL!

Schoepfle Gardens

On June 10, we spent the day with our good friends . . . . Beth, Julia, Natalie and Anthony Reitz at a beautiful Metropark called "Schoepfle Gardens". I work with Beth's husband John at the hospital and we have been friends for over 17 years now! WOW . . . . that's hard to believe! We attended each other's weddings and are now enjoying raising our families together!

Natalie and Shu Shu (five months apart in age)

Blowing kisses on the blanket!
Beth and baby Anthony . . . . One years old!

Jie Jie . . . Julia . . . Natalie. . .and Shu Shu with her badminton set! (She brought this with her to the park and insisted on carrying it around all day long!)

Taking a walk down the path

Having fun in the creek

Something is really funny . . . . . Me! trying to take their picture!