Once again our little group was reunited to celebrate Gotcha Day. Every year many adoptive families celebrate the day that they became parents to their adopted child. For all of us, this is the perfect opportunity to have a reunion.
This year we celebrated in Virginia at the home of E! and her family. We gathered together on Friday evening and the girls reconnected immediately as if no time had passed whatsoever. It is wonderful to see them continuing to forge this sisterly bond.
I must say though that no reunion is complete without our Texans. Sadly, they were unable to attend this year due to work commitments. Even though they were not with us we spoke their names many times and felt their presence as we reminisced about that life changing day in August of 2007, that we waited two years for, when we became parents to five Anhui beauties. It is likely that 2012 will bring a complete reunion and for that I am immensely looking forward to next year.
While getting caught up on a whole years events; we enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner prepared by Mrs. A on their lovely deck under the gazebo. Shortly after the girls resumed playing, giggling and generally having a wonderful time.
Even the big brothers had a chance to reconnect, which is nice 'cuz this weekend it's all about the girls. Thankfully they are all lacrosse players and only about 2-3 years apart in age so this really helps. Sorry guys, you know you have your days too!
After some chatting and playtime it was cake time. This years cake was a one of a kind creation designed by Mrs. A herself. It was a flag cake draped in the US and China flag created out of pastry dough. It was as tasty as it was beautiful. I think the stage is set for some serious
competition creativity now from year to year--good luck all I'm starting planning now, lol!
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| Oops, I was busy talking and did not get a shot before the first yummy piece was cut! |
The evening ended after gifts were exchanged between the girls and we gave a round of goodnight hugs to all.
For Saturday the A family planned a group outing to the lovely
Bluebird Gap Farm all of the kiddos big and small got to feed the animals (Thank you Mr. A) and spend some more time enjoying each others company.
Before we knew it, it was time for the K family to move on to their vacation in Myrtle Beach. So with another round of hugs we sadly said good bye to them until next year. The rest of us stayed on a little bit longer then decided it was lunchtime.
Following lunch we all went to Buckroe Beach which is about a ten minute drive from the A family's home. They are very fortunate to have such a lovely beach close by.
We remained there until it looked like rain was imminent. Then we returned to their home for some down time and to let the girls play a bit more. It was wonderful that they just disappeared and played together so well. To quote Mrs. A, they were quiet as "Church Mice". For those who know my Grace, that is a VERY rare phenomenon!
Not long after it was time to prepare for dinner. I had been curious about the dish that Mrs. A had planned. It is called a "Low Country Boil". Being adventurous types we all happily anticipated trying a new dish. It is a fun meal to prepare (and fun to eat too but I 'll get to that in a minute) as the guys all took charge watching the pot boil while sipping a cold beer and feeding ingredients into the pot one by one.
The ladies were inside enjoying some grown-up chatter still amazed by the "Church Mice". Mr. & Mrs. A had a wonder peach malt beverage that was rather like wine but rather like beer. I don't recall the name but it was good. Once dinner was done boiling, the whole contents of the pot were drained and placed in a pile on newspaper in the middle of the dining room table.Now the fun began. There were shrimp to peel, potatoes and corn to slather in butter, and delicious sausage too.
At first it looked like a lot of food, but I'm almost ashamed to say that we made a major dent in that pile of food. We waddled away from the table full and quite satisfied. Once again.
After dinner had settled the girls began another round of play upstairs but this time when one of the Dad's approached they were ushered away with the strict rules that there were No Boys Allowed. Just when we thought they were surely up to something an announcement was made that it was time for a Fashion Show and Dance Performance. Each girl was decked out in lovely sparkly, frilly dress-up outfits. Miss Grace was the announcer and choreographer while E! and C put on a lovely show.
Not too long afterward yawning began and we knew it was time to wind things down, even the girls agreed, lol.
My post would not be complete if I didn't mention the wonderful accommodations that the A family provided for us while visiting. They just purchased a new camper, the type that is a hybrid between pop-up and hardside. Every time we see one rolling down the road or in a campground we say, "I wonder what it's like to own one of those?" Well, we wonder no more. They are great campers and surprisingly visually roomy, airy and bright and spacious too as theirs has a slide. I'm sure they are going to have a lot of fun with it and we are thankful that they shared it with us. Thank you A family for stocking the camper too with delicious snacks and drinks, we are SO spoiled!
Sunday morning we all got together one last time for a delicious breakfast. Oh my, did I mention that Mrs. A made Monkey Bread?! Yum! After breakfast we regretfully said our good-byes and hit the road for a few days in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
All in all it was a lovely reunion. Each one leaves me longing for more, eagerly anticipating next year.
Wistfully,
~Kate-Lyn~
Ah, life with a puppy. I left him one second, happily nibbling on his buffalo. All is great...
