Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Old Man's Cave & the Rest of Early August

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Since we got back from Old Man's Cave & the Ohio/Midwest CCAI reunion a couple of weekends ago, the action hasn't stopped around here. Between the kids visiting the wildlife park with Grandpa Doug and Grandma Paulette, to Lincoln fishing Leesville Lake with Grandpa Doug, to the Cruisin' The Chapel benefit event at church with over 500 classic cars, to a last-minute decision to drive to Pittsburgh and catch Auntie Haley's exhibition game, we've been busy beavers around here. And school's about to start!

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Fishing at Leesville Lake.
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Gotcha - 2013

What a difference a year makes

Henry - Gotcha 2013
In other news…

Lincoln's "Preschool Graduation" was last weekend. When they began the event with, "let's congratulate the Classes of 2026-2027, Jenn and I just looked at each other with a OMG expression.
Lincoln's GraduationLincoln's Graduation
Lincoln's GraduationLincoln's Graduation
And look who's getting ready for a beach vacation…
Lydia
This evening we had a dinner of Pizza & Gnocchi (shared with Annie, Grace & Collin), to remember our first meal with Henry at the Zhengzhou Crowne Plaza. Henry can talk now and use a fork and a spoon, but what hasn't changed is his big appetite!
Gotcha Day 2013Gotcha Day 2013
Gotcha Day 2013Gotcha Day 2013

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

To The Theater!

This past weekend we all went down to Columbus to join Grandma Laura, Grandpa Dave & Auntie Haley for a trip to the Columbus Children's Theater and their presentation of Cinderella. Lincoln was thrilled, and the two little ones were manageable, and it turned out to be a fun, memory-making day.
Cinderella @ Columbus Children's Theater
Cinderella @ Columbus Children's Theater
Cinderella @ Columbus Children's Theater
Cinderella @ Columbus Children's Theater
The weekend prior we went to the Ucker's house for Avery's birthday party, with a Cinco De Mayo theme. There's nothing quite like an Asian in a sombrero, don't ya think?
Henry does Cinco de Mayo
It's hard to believe that one year ago Jenn and I were in Hong Kong. That seems eons ago. Even when I look back at the photos, and recall the really neat experiences Jenn and I had there it seems like it was much longer than a year ago. So much has happened over the last year, both with our family and with our own relationship. As trying as it's been having a pair of 2-year-olds, and what inducing twins upon ourselves has meant in many diferent aspects, we can both acknowledge that our marriage is stronger this year than it was last year. Though inducing twins upon a marriage is not what I would suggest to those in need of "marriage help."

As Henry's Gotcha Day approaches, I thought it would be neat to share a video with you that never got published to this blog last year. Look how skinny his little arms and legs were. And for all of those months where I wondered if he was ever going to talk, it's hard to recall back to when he couldn't make more than a "ba!" or "da!" sound.
We've also been thinking about just how we're going to celebrate Gotcha Day. Some celebrate it like a birthday, but that's now how we're handling it. We're going to celebrate his birthday like his birthday, and celebrate Gotcha Day by recalling the day in some of its details and expressing our thankfulness that Henry is now part of our family. One of the unique ways that Henry's Gotcha Day will manifest is with a meal of Pizza & Gnocchi, our first meal together in the Italian restaurant of the Zhengzhou Crowne Plaza.
Pizza & Gnocchi
Henry stuffed his face with Italian food in a way that would likely make his Italian Great-Grandpap namesake proud.

And the countdown to our OBX vacation with Grandpa Doug & Grandma Paulette and Auntie Em, Uncle Jeremy, Grace, Cole & Ella is officially on, and has been for some time now. Can't wait!!!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Approaching One Year - 12 Mo. Post-Placement Photos

As part of our 12 Month Post-Placement follow-up, we have to submit 8 photos of Henry "in [his] everyday enviornment and experiencing typical American cultural events (holidays, trip with the family, visits to the zoo)." The challenge will be narrowing it down to 8 photos! This post is primarily for the good folks at Chinese Children Adoption International. For our blog regulars, these will be repeats.
Gates Family
Lincoln's 5th Birthday
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One of many visits to the Akron Zoo
Gates Family, Easter 2013
Easter Sunday
Henry
Learning to smile on command.
Henry Scooter
Riding His Scooter
Three Kids
Hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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Painting
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Flipping Through A Catalog
And just for good measure, a video...