Thursday April 23

We have been outside enjoying this nice weather, Brodie likes to swing, and sit in the little tikes "Flintsones car". He is hilarious to watch, he just goes backwards and then spins around really fast. He's starting to go forwards in it alittle bit. Tonight he started climbing up the ladder of the slide all by himself and he goes down the slide. He really was having fun. This weekend we are going to the Kansas City Zoo, it is girl scout day at the zoo. Abbie is a Daisy Scout this year. We will take lots of pictures at the zoo! Will post more then!

home for 2 weeks now

We have been home for 2 weeks now. Brodie is doing just great! He loves his big sisters, and his mama and baba! We are sure crazy about him too! We finally have our days and nights straightened out now. It was rough getting switched back to our time the first week we were home. We are finally getting in a routine now, and doing good. This morning was Garnett's city-wide garage sale day, I found this work bench for Brodie! He rides along with us on the bus everyday, he doesn't seem to mind it. He likes looking out the window and seeing the cows I think. He likes playing outside now, today is a rainy day so we are stuck in the house. He has changed so much in just a few weeks with us. What a blessing he is to us1

FIRST DAY HOME WITH SISTERS!!!

Yesterday had to be the longest day ever, 3 airplane rides in a row. The one from Hong Kong to Chicago was 14 hours. Then our plane left 2 hours late from Chicago to Kansas city. That was the one plane that I didn't want to be late, we were so excited to get back to the girls. We got back to our house about 11:00 last night. Brodie have been having a lot of fun with his sisters today! I don't think they have stopped playing all day. He is already so spoiled! and very honorey! It is so good to finally be home and all together again!!!

this is our last day in guangzhou, its very pretty here on shamian island, alot of statues and french architecture, we found a catholic church here that was built by the french in 1895 called our lady of the lourdes, we have not seen anyone use it. alot of young couples get married in the park, the chinese brides are beautiful. We spent the afternoon at the american consulate, taking our oath and experiencing good old american beauracracy at its best, no matter how bad the beauracracy, i cant wait to get back to the good ole usa. everyone should experience china, it makes you appreciate wait you have. We leave here tommorrow at 5 am to hong kong, then a 13 hour flight to chigago and on to kc, we should arrive in kc around 7pm kc time

Wednesday in Guangzhou

This morning we did the famous "red couch" picture of all of the babies adopted in our group. The White Swan Hotel is famous for the red couch picture, parents set all of the little ones in their pretty chinese dresses and outfits together on the red couch and everyone starts taking pictures really fast because all of the little ones are usually crying! It is really kinda funny to see. Brodie was in his overalls, the little girls in their pretty silk dresses! There was another boy in his regular clothes too! When that picture was done, then we did a group picture with all of the families from Holt in our group. We have met some very nice people here.
After breakfast we went down to the hotel playroom, it's very nice with a lot of toys. There were a few other little ones in their playing also.
I decided today was the day we were going to get Brodie in a stroller. He has only wanted to be held when we are outside of our hotel room. So we borrowed a stroller from one of the shops close to the hotel. I put him in it, this time I meant business! He cried and screamed and tried to crawl out of it. We walked around for what seemed to be hours, but wasn't all that long, and got so many different looks from the local people! But I would just smile and keep walking! We ended up at the
7-11 store, and I got him some juice and then we sat outside , he calmed down finally. Now we can't get him out of the stroller!!! He is still sitting in it this afternoon! At least my back feels better today! I offer to take him out and he refuses! We met up with the family we met in Fuzhou today, Brodie was happy to see his friends again! We went to lunch with them and they came back to our hotel to swim. The pool is outdoor, the water was pretty cold but they got in for a little bit. Their 9 year old son was so excited to get into a swimming pool, he didn't care how cold it was! We are going to meet them for dinner tonight and try the Italian restaurant. Tomorrow is our last day here, can't wait to start packing and head for home!!