Chinese adoption summer BBQ

It’s always nice getting together with this great adoption group and having our children get reacquainted on special occasions throughout the year, here we are making Won Ton’s. 

Came straight from our girls soccer game, no time to change.  I didn’t grab my camera either, at least the cell phones nowadays have such good cameras, I’m liken my Galaxy Note 2.  I’m behind the camera in all pics, just where I like to be :)

Cindy graciously offered her fun backyard to host the event.  When I saw Sophie and Sage swinging on her swings (should’ve got a picture), it seemed like just yesterday they were on those same swings, at age 3 1/2, swinging for the first time ever, and you should’ve heard their giggles.  Such great memories.  And I’m glad my teenage boys joined us, thanks Cindy for letting us gather in your beautiful backyard!

 

New friends…  so cute as she walked up and asked if she could play with my girls, then joined right in.

Tramp time…

Trying to crack the egg…

Tasty Potluck.  Many brought some authentic Chinese dishes.  I brought my kids favorite, Orange Chicken.

Listening to this cool conversation in Mandarin, between my son and Cindy’s cute boy, enjoying how well they were speaking.  Josh has done great with the language lately, and is teaching a little to the girls.  Sophie and Sage are excited to take Mandarin in 6th grade.  Although they spoke Cantonese in China, they have learned some Mandarin from some after school classes, I think they’ll catch on quick!

Water Balloon Volley Ball. 

Funny, a few days after, a friend messaged me on facebook saying a little birdie told her to tell my son to text the cute redhead he met at the BBQ, small world.

Love that my girls like to be partners with their biggest heroes, their brothers

Oh my gosh, these two little Polynesian toddlers are stinkin’ cute!  Her adoption story is pretty miraculous, what one can do with desire, love, and perseverance!  Such blessings!

We had to leave early, so this sweet friend made a quick duck tape wallet for Sage.

Such wonderful people that has been a part of our lives through adoption.  Adoptive parents are some of the best!  I’m not tooting my own horn, I’m talking about all those I’ve come to know through adoption, personally and through adoption blogs.

Sweet Summer BBQ

A perfect night for a backyard BBQ, enjoying the evening moon & view

Cheeseburgers, Ceaser Salad, & Creamies- tasty potluck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

boys and their I-Pads,   kids playing 500

  ended around the fire pit, fun times!

Spoiled for my B-day…

Didn’t expect this, it came quickly at a busy time, and it’s easy to forget your birthday once you’ve turned 40,  but my family and friends wouldn’t let me forget…  nice lunches w/ friends &…

No bon fire, they put all 43 candles on the delicious chocolate cake

Served some of my favorite dishes

   

  

They gave me a “Certificate of Achievement”.  Ha, ha, according to my kids, it’s an achievement to turn 43.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t mind my stunning black eye, I’ll explain in another post…  but you should’ve seen the other guy!

The man behind it all.  You thought of everything hon, the tasty BBQ, homemade cards, thoughtful gifts, & fun guests.  The kids had a blast preparing with you.  You wouldn’t let me lift a finger that day and sent me to relax in my room and enjoy a good book while you and the kids got everything ready, then enjoyed a great dinner & evening. It was fabulous, thanks for pampering me and making it a perfect day!  XOXOXO     

College Memories w/ old friend

I ran into a good designer friend from college not too long ago. It was so nice seeing her and catching up for a few minutes, and to find out she lives so close! We were looking forward to getting together with our families, so we finally planned a fun BBQ last week.

Everyone hit it off and had a great time together, kids and adults!

The boys talking swimming with Nick, Mark is a swimmer too.

Laryl and her cute family
We had a yummy BBQ and such good times reminiscing and getting our families together. Brought back memories...

I'll never forget the time we broke down in Paige AZ on our way to a Design Convention in Phoenix. Four design students, stranded out in the middle of nowhere until they could fix the clutch- not until the next day. Luckily, I knew a family there, they own a nice Trading Post / corner market and live above it, they graciously put us up for the night. They were wonderful and we spent the next day checking out the town and walking to the Dam at Lake Powell... not the city design scenery we expected to be seeing that day, but beautiful in a different way. We were a day late, and made up for it once we got there.

We worked hard and enjoyed our college days. We had great professors and got so close, those of us who lasted the three year rigorous program. We tried to prove our professors wrong that you can't do well in this major and have a social life. We studied like crazy and had a lot of fun on the side.

This is when I met my sweetheart, Paul (I'll have to post about that soon, funny how we met). Laryl knows how he hung out in the Design Department more then his own. Such good memories.

We're looking forward to our next get together!

Here we are, way back when...

Natalie, Brenda & I in back just recieved our diploma!