DC NOAH Gathering, Sunday, July 6

We try to get together a few times a year. Time we had Carol join us. She is a clown and great face painter. Carol offered us her services for free and the kids had a blast! We also decorated t-shirts for NOAH's national conference later that week. The kids played, the adults chatted and we ended with the 'Watermelon Man' cutting open a juicy red watermelon!!!













and if you rub your hands on your face, this is the result...

I am more of a frozen drink or 'koolaid' drink kinda gal, but this struck me as funny!

July 4th - a little late...

Living on a military base on the 4th of July is a celebration in itself! We went to the area where there were bands and concessions. the kids enjoyed cotton candy and later ice cream (we ate bbq before heading out!) We even met up with some friends - one of them being one of EQ's favorite people - Peanut Butter - the children's pastor from church. I couldn't try to get any photos of fireworks because as soon as they started EQ jumped on my lap and covered her ears. She watched the show, but it was too loud for her. TA on the other hand loved all the booms and was saying, "Oooo, Ahhh, cool!"

Catching up...

TA's birthday was July 1. On June 28, we had 15 3-5 year olds at the local bowling alley. It was great! All I had to do was bring a cake and ice cream. We had 4 lanes...3 with bumpers and 2 with ramps. The kids just wandered and bowled as they wanted. On TA's 'real' birthday we went to Silver Diner to eat. It happened to also be kids nite and Miss Donna brought him a HUGE piece of chocolate cake! Enjoy the photos...

We have been in Vegas, baby! Since last Wednesday. My impressions of Vegas aka Sin City...

HOT!!!! You still sweat in a dry heat when it is 112!
Crowded - There are people everywhere...all the time
Overbuilt - the buildings are so tall and sprawling that you can't see lights down the strip
Overstimulating - to get anywhere you have to walk through a casino. It is noisy with flashing lights and smoky.
Overrated - That sums it up!

However, the conference was great!!! We made new friends and visited with old ones. The kids got to play and we did too. Scott and I went Cirque du Soleil's LOVE show - it was amazing!!!! I could easily go again.



Now I need to sign off and try to get some sleep...

(shhh...don't tell Mommy!! It's TA.)

I'm 5 today!!!! I am big. I'm taller than Mommy's tummy, the easel. I grew. I the birthday boy! That's all I gonna say.

EQ: Can I cook dinner?
S: NO.
EQ: Mommy, Daddy said no. I don't yike dat! (complete with frump!)

C: Where are we going on vacation:
TA & EQ: Vegas Baby!

TA: I don't want to go to sleep. It's boring.

(One of my favorites - wearing sloppy house clothes with hair just up out of my face)
TA: Mommy, you're beautiful. (it melts me every time!)

Where has the time gone? We have been spending evenings in the pool which is wonderful. Both kids are turning into water bugs. Even EQ will now get her face wet and TA can almost float! This weekend we went to PA for Father's day with S's mom and grandfather and a cousin's birthday. (J is 1 month older than TA) Yesterday we went to the pool at S's cousins place. When we returned home last night, we realized that both S and myself were a bit sunburned. EQ also has some spots on her arms where the sleeves of her suit rode up after applying sunblock. We felt awful!

Then TA said, "I'm just plain." Yep - he is plain vanilla. :-)

Happy Father's Day to all out there

Two years ago today we had already spent one night with our daughter and traveled to her hometown of FengCheng, Jiangxi. What an amazing couple of years it has been. EQ is now 28 pounds and 37 inches tall. She is talking up a storm and is potty trained. She is very opinionated!!! (As most 3 year olds are) and loves Hello Kitty, Dora, pink, having her nails done, bows, her daddy, kitty cats, copying her brother, going to school, singing, going to Puggles and sunday school, drawing and coloring, annoying her brother, snuggling with daddy, popcorn, leaves, carrots, playing outside, the pool, her puppies... And has the best belly laugh and a smile that will melt your heart!


May 31, 2008 - Two Years and One Day Gotcha!!

Gotcha Day May 30, 2006


May 31, 2006 - One day ours!


May 30, 2007 - One year Gotcha Day Anniversary...love the long hair!



5-31-2008 We are in T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!!!

I haven't posted any recent photos. Guess I should for mother's day!! :-) My Mom came from SC to go to our church's Mother-Daughter Banquet. We had a nice and relaxing weekend. Well - here is what we've been up to since the White House Easter Egg Roll...


Coloring Easter Eggs - After Easter...just how long do they last outside the fridge???


The Smithsonian Kite Festival





Cherry Blossom Festival


Riding ponies at Silver Diner's Kid's night


Going to birthday parties at MyGym and The Little Gym


Bowling on TA's 3 year gotcha day!!! (Daddy won, TA 2nd, EQ 3rd, Mom lost...)

EQ making a fashion statement!!!

Swimming lessons


Playing soccer. Go Sharks!!!!