"Three Pony's Farm"

Last weekend we were invited to a "clambake" reunion with two of the five families we traveled to China with in May. It was hosted by Julie and Dan at Julie's parents home in Windham Ohio. It was a beautiful September day and it was so nice to see two of little girls again that came home from China with Jie Jie. Shu and Jie had the time of their lives running around the property . . . . playing . . . . and especially meeting all the horses! As you can see from the pictures all the girls are doing great adapting to life in America . . . . hard to believe it has only been four months since we brought them home!

Julie and Kim Kim

Tara and Gia

Shu Shu just loved the horses . . . . just like she loved all the animals at her birthday party! Notice what she is holding . . . .

This is her new pet . . . . Mr. Grasshopper . . . . Daddy and Shu found him in our yard right before we left so he had to come to the party with us! In China grasshoppers are believed to be "good luck" and many families have them in cages in their homes!

Shu getting her first riding lesson from Papa Pete! . . . . she is a natural!

She learned to "sit up straight with one hand on the saddle and one hand on her leg for balance!"

Jie Jie on the other hand was not to enthusiastic about horseback riding but gave it a good effort!

Our two beautiful "horse riding" girls!

Thanks Dan & Julie for a wonderful day!

Happy "4th" Birthday Anna "Shu Shu"

September 6th, 2009

"This is the day the Lord has made (especially for you!)

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Psalm 118:24

Shu Shu had her first "little" girls birthday party to celebrate her 4th Birthday. She picked the "Dora Explorer Adventurer" theme so we had Mr. Zainy come from "Jungle Boy Productions" to do an animal show. Mr. Zainy and all of his animals were wonderful and the girls had a great time learning all about them "up close and personal!"

Happy Birthday Tu Tu!

Mr Zainy and his snapping turtle!

"Have you ever pet an Alligator?"

How about an Iguana?

Yikes! "Is my daughter holding a snake!! . . . and smiling!"

The best part of the show was when one of Shu Shu's presents was found in Swiper's cage . . . . . . "Swiper No Swiping!" . . . .we couldn't believe he swiped it when we weren't looking!

Mr. Zainy says he's really a very nice fox!

Shu Shu says "Thanks for giving me my present back Swiper!"

The animals were great, but the favorite part of the party was when "Mr. Ken" started the

Cotton Candy Machine!

Shu Shu and all her guests!

Shu's favorite gift . . . Roller Skates! (from Aunt Susie!)

Turning "four" is exhausting!

Is it really September 16th? . . . . where did the summer go? Although we are enjoying this beautiful September weather . . . and are looking forward to "fall activities" . . . . I cannot believe our 2009 summer is now over. Here are some highlights of some of the fun we had with the girls!

Lorain County Fair

Shu and Jie just loved petting all the animals!

I think they are ready to join "4-H"!

Lake Koinonia

Lake Koinonia is a private lake we have belonged to since Drew was a little boy. We spent a lot of time there this summer and the girls loved it! Jie was afraid of the water at first and would only get her feet wet . . . . . by the end of the summer I had to go fish her out of the deep end! Shu Shu has loved the water since she was a little baby. This year she started swimming "under" the water!

Beginning of summer . . . .
End of summer! Shu Shu looking for fish!

Story Book Forest-Idlewild Park-PA

We had a great time taking the kids to Idlewild . . . . . they absolutely loved it . . .and so did we! They got to meet Little Red Riding Hood, Mother Goose and The Old Lady that lived in the Shoe!

"A" is for Anna and Angela!
The Little Red School House

Daddy's the teacher! Yikes!

Shu's first time on a "log ride" . . . . she said "it was very scary!" . . . . she would much rather ride the "Kiddie rides!"

Daddy and Shu winning at the fish game!
They won a "fish"!!

Cedar Point-Sandusky Ohio

Camp Snoopy!

The girls had fun riding all the rides with Daddy, while I took pictures!. . . . . . Lucky me!