Sunday, January 31, 2010

China Travel Group Reunion

A couple of weeks ago, our China Travel Group had a little reunion right here in Nashville.  (I haven't had a chance to post the pictures yet, because that was the weekend that my grandmother died).  Anyway, it was so good to see everybody again and to just marvel at how these six little Jiangxi-girls have blossomed over the past 18 months from all the love they've received from their forever families!  The entire travel-group wasn't able to come, but we did have families come from Denver, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Birmingham and Greenville, S.C.

While they were here, we had an early Chinese New Year celebration here at our house and the girls wore their Chinese silks and we all enjoyed a Chinese dinner and watched a video from our China trip.





Macy Li was all about these "Dorothy's" (Elmo) in the flowers...





This is Gracelyn with her sweet daddy and they live in Indianapolis.  
She was One Sick Baby when we were in China...but look at the power of love and family.

My little "Li Ming" from Jiangxi!

This little noodle-lover is Rachel, who lives in Greenville, S.C.
She was a prune-eatin'-machine when we were in China.

This is Pam, with her daughters Miah and Sydney, and they live in Denver.
I kidded her, saying Miah got Macy Li's share of hair!  
When we were in China, Sydney would say to Phillip,
"I love you Beef!"  (long story...a nickname of his :))

This is Sweet Sue with her daughter Rachel and Macy Li...
Sue saved the day in China b/c she's a pediatrician!  Great to
have in a third-world country when several of these girls were so sick.

Here is Bryan with his daughter, Mia-Kate, and they live outside of Birmingham.
His son Mason is the same age as Peyton, so they became fast friends in China.
Funny thing was that Mason's nickname is "Mater,"
while Peyton's nickname is "Tater!"

Here are the Asian Angels serving up tea...Chinese-style!





Okay, China adoptive families, y'all know what this is!
Our attempt at a re-make of the famous Red Couch Photo from The White Swan in Guangzhou!

I'm gonna go back and find our originals from China and post them here for
you to see the changes.  They were all screaming their heads off in Guangzhou!



Pey-toven offered a little musical entertainment, while
Macy Li danced for us!

Presh!

While here, all the families stayed out at the Opryland Hotel...
I included this because it looks JUST LIKE US in
all our hotels in China...although there, we probably looked like
"deer in the headlights!!"  LOL!


Here's little Li Ming running down to the hotel pool!

Mia-Kate and Macy Li







Of course we took 'em to Loveless Cafe 
b/c it wouldn't be Nashville without it! ;)

Miah tearing into her biscuit!  

This is sweet little Hope, who lives in Cincinnati now.

    Some of the group...

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Snow!


Finally!  Tennessee got a decent little snow, and so we wasted no time getting out in it to play.  While we were out in our Winter Wonderland, we get a text from Tyler and he's at the beach!  College kids!  We didn't even ask... Anyway, here's a few highlights from our day...

Wakin' up to a beautiful snowfall...




My babies...


Presh...





Macy Li with Nolan...


Wipe Out!
Look at those smiles and those eyes....OBVIOUSLY related!


Hangin' with the teens...


Nolan and Caroline...











Nolan and his friends racing...





Jackson, Nolan and Coble...


Daddy's girl...













What a life...she got to ride with all of us!















Awww...

Lookin' forward to more fun tomorrow after church.  Next:  Macy Li's first snowman. :D

P.S.  I want to thank each and every one of y'all who sent sweet messages, cards, flowers, and came to visit when my Grandmother died a couple weeks ago.  It meant so much to me, and I just wanted to say thanks for all your kindness.