Happy Chinese New Year!!

This past weekend we celebrated Chinese New Year with our friends from Iowa. We had a terrific time. The "show" we went to was a little hoaky, but the kids had fun and the food was free. (We even came home with a doggie bag for later!)

Toot and Tye seem to really like each other. She even gave him a kiss on the cheek. She told weatherman that Tye was hugging her and she REALLY wanted to kiss him but she didn't BUT then he hugged her again so she just HAD to kiss him! I think we are in trouble. :0)

Jaden didn't quite make it through all the dancing!

Love you my Iowa sister!!!

Baby It's CCCCCold outside!!

Well it is the 4th day in a row BELOW zero. This morning it was 20 below zero....that's 52 degrees below freezing!!!! The kids actually got a day off from school , the first we've had in a very long time (possibly 3 years ago)only because the cold turned the bio-diesel that the busses use into "jelly" and they could not run!
MOVIE DAY!!!!
I think we might go and see "Bedtime Stories" .
Stay warm!!!

Christmas Blessings

We wish you God's blessings (exceedingly and abundantly) for the coming New Year !!!!

Catch up time!!

OK, since last time I posted we have had a LOT of firsts and lasts and other "stuff" going on! Here are a smattering. (do you like that word??)


Shrimp turned 18!!!!




Last parade for Shrimp at the State Fair.

Mom and I made 90ish jars of jam and painted the kitchen.



First day of the last year of high school for Shrimp and my "other" son E-man.



First day of second grade for Bebo.









First day of Kindergarten and first bus ride for Toot.







Life is moving fast and furious.





More to come later. I will try to keep up a little better ;0} (yeah right!)

Green Lake Get Away

On July 28th we met up with some wonderful friends that we got to know on our last trip to China. We were adopting Bebo, and they were there to get their little guy, Jaden. We just clicked.



We had a wonderful( but too short) day of boating, swimming and enjoying each others company. It was very hard saying goodbye. Toot and Bebo are still talking about the boat and the lake.



We love you guys!

Toot's 6th Birthday

Birthday Fun!!

Toot's 6th B-day!!!

I can't believe it.....Toot is 6 years old today!!!!

She and I will be heading out ( just the two of us) for a girls breakfast at her favorite restraunt, Cracker Barrel. Toot loves their pancakes and bacon! Of course the fun shopping part is a big draw too! :0)

This evening we will have an outdoor party with hotdogs,carrots (of course),cake, icecream, a slip-n-slide, water balloons,and lots of friends. She is SO excited she can hardly stand still.

Pictures to come later...it is going to be a busy fun filled day!!!