Building a tent with Grandpa Felix!

My Grandpa Felix and I built a shady tent together!

I was so excited, and I really wanted to help!

So my Grandpa explained exactly what we had to do!

And he showed me how I could help!

I think I did a good job helping him, too!

Here we are... almost done!

Wow!!! This is the most beautiful tent I've ever seen!

And we built it together! Just me & my Grandpa! Woo Hoo!

Then, my Grandpa wanted to review the assembly instructions with me.... just to make sure we built it correctly....

And we did! High five, Grandpa Felix! Thanks for helping me build my very first tent! I love you!!! xoxo

Slip n' Slide with Grace & Holden

The Blue Umbrella

I just finally ordered Paintshop Pro XI (recommended by my twinny friend Val)... so this is my first attempt at something creative. A few sweet people had offered to do this for me- but these days I really like figuring out how to do things myself (although I'm sure they would have done a more precise job)... :) Paintshop Pro XI is by Corel in case anyone is interested-

Tenley & Sophie!

These are some photos from when our China travel-mates Tenley and her mommy Michelle visited us in May! We had such a fun time together! I love the 2nd to the last photo- Tenley was showing Sophie Lu her pretty pedicure! The girls were SO adorable and really got along nicely... we hope you visit again soon Michelle and Tenley! xoxo

Who Needs Rain?

Sophie Lu is very creative... she's always finding ways to do the things she wants to do when she wants to do them! Like when she "ice-skates" without ice (video later), and the way she plays just about every muscial instrument using regular household items (like strumming the egg-slicer "guitar")! On this day, Sophie Lu decided that she wanted it to rain so she could use her umbrella (she loves umbrellas). She waited by the window with her umbrella- so convinced the clear sunny day would bring her some rain. I tried to tell her that I didn't think it would rain- but she kept insisting it would. Well, the second the sprinklers turned on, she ran outside with her umbrella! She was so triumphant... yelling, "Rain, Mama! Rain!!!" I just love her so much. I love her spirit- her imagination- her persistence- and especially her smile when she finds her own fun!

Black & Whites (from the Gotcha Anniversary)

Here are some black & whites from our Gotcha Anniversary... I know I am SO behind! But now that my Grandpa's party & the video project are behind me, I can try to catch up. My goal is to make one post to each blog every day this week... (This last picture is special to me because Sophie Lu was holding her hands in this prayer-like way when she was handed to us- so sweet!)

Panda Now, Panda Then...

June, 2007 at home in California

June, 2005 in China

We are fine & why I've been away... :)

Thanks to everyone who emailed or commented that they were worried & wondering where I've been... No need to worry- all is well. I've been very busy working on a tribute video for my grandfather who turns 90 this weekend (also we are having his birthday party here)... I have compiled, scanned, edited, and cropped hundreds of photos (including baby photos from 1917) and am trying to make this video very special as well as entertaining. It's definitely a huge task & not easy to do with 2 kids- but it will be worth it! I'll post it in 10 minute segments on YouTube when I'm done if anyone is interested... I'll be catching up with my emails, blogs, etc. next week! :)

Cheer for the 4th of July!

We had a quiet but very special 4th of July at home! Our neighbors came over, and the kids had fun with the Slip n' Slide (photos coming soon)... I also posted a few photos on Ollie's blog- :)