Right place at the right time...

Last month Miss Grace and I went to a fun event and had the good fortune of winning tickets to the Disney on Ice, "Treasure Trove" show at a local arena. We also were invited to the pre-show party to meet one of the Stars on Ice. The day finally arrived and we had such a great time! I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Thank you Froggy!!!

Goofy Parents in Mouse Ears!!!

Just Can't Wait!!

With the Stars

So many Princesses...so much fun!

Such joy is positively contagious,
~Kate-Lyn~

Too Cute Tuesday

Sometimes words are not needed, deep sigh....

Everyday is a blessing, family is our treasure...

~Kate-Lyn~

September 14, 2012 - a very sad day for our family

On Labor Day weekend we intended to close out summer with our usual trip to the lake with friends and family alongside. Our weekend turned out to be anything but usual. Peter's sister, Sandy, was hospitalized with breathing difficulties which then turned into pulmonary fibrosis resulting from her prior radiation treatments. Sandy bravely fought off breast cancer, twice.

Speeding ahead to this weekend--quite suddenly her condition deteriorated rapidly and turned into an untreatable form of pneumonia. She passed peacefully on Friday afternoon, surrounded by the whole family. Now she is resting in the loving arms of her Savior. I am sure she has heard those words we all long to hear..."well done good and faithful servant".

If I were to try and describe the kind of woman she was I would never do proper justice with my limited abilities. To Peter and I she was sister, friend, confidant, mentor and teacher. To our children she was Aunt, friend, teacher and in her eyes they could do no wrong. All good things came from her. By that I mean she gave selflessly to her family. There was nothing that she touched that wasn't beautiful; be it a present lovingly wrapped, a sumptous meal planned with each in mind--right down to her special birthday bear which she placed at your plate every year when it was your turn to be spoiled a bit. Every year under the Christmas tree were ornaments for each child. On her summer travels she would pick them out for each one, making them feel so loved and cherished.

Dear sister, that is what you are now and always will be to us...loved and cherished. I do not know how we will go on without you. By God's grace and mercy I know we will; but when you left you took a piece of our hearts with you.

One day at a time,

~Kate-Lyn~

First Grade...so far

Well week one was good for our little one at her new school. Her safety net is that two other girls from her old school are making the transition with her. Additionally, a friend from a neighborhood close-by and a boy from her old school are in the other first grade class. This has helped immensely.

Week two went good as well, mostly. A few days she has reported some "offenses" by a boy in her class that I have been monitoring.  Hoping for a good week this week with "Mr. Not-So-Nice" having been moved across from her rather than right next to her. Her teacher is nice but is in no way like Mrs. Edwards from last year. I know it's just not fair to compare though I certainly am . Despite the differences she is handling things well. Thank you God.

Just had to post these photos from her big day #1...

Oh Happy Day...

~Kate-Lyn~

Random Things...

It seemed that summer went so fast, oh how I hate to see it go. These are a few moments that I love to recall. Just a few random things...after all this is why I blog.



Scaredy Dog!



Dancin' in the yard, embarrasing the kids



Cute couple



Coach Ross




Who's that cute pet?



Wild abandon



Brian Gibney Band



Fifty is Nifty!



A Night at the Commons



Our Tiny Resident

Lovely Miss Stephanie

Farewell Rosie

Basking in the goodness of it all...

~Kate-Lyn~

China Sisters Reunion 2012

Each year since 2007 when we adopted the girls in Hefei, China we have gathered together to celebrate. And celebrate we did! Very few things are more enjoyable than watching these six girls spend time singing, laughing, playing and just being girls -- all together, under one roof, for three joyful days. The next best thing is all us parents doing the same thing, laughing, playing and just being together. All together.

Matching t-shirts for all

Feelin' the Love,

~Kate-Lyn~

Lovely Annapolis, MD

Back in July we visited Annapolis and the Naval Academy for a mini-vacation. What a lovely area, I hope we can visit again sometime soon. When we arrived it was quite warm and everyone was eager to get out and explore the area. So we set off on a quick shopping excursion which proved to be fruitless. We did, however, learn our way around a bit. Not long after that it was time to choose a  restaurant for a seafood dinner. We chose a place named Mike's from the travel guide. It is right on the water and highly recommended. They were right on all accounts. Having been cooped up in the car for 6-ish hours we decided to eat on the outside patio. Well...that proved to be very warm. VERY warm for these upstate New Yorker's. But we made the best of it and the delicious food made it all worth it.

After leaving the boys at the Naval Academy we began our walking tour of downtown. It is so quaint with the historic buildings, rich history and New Englandy atmosphere. We really enjoyed the boat tour of the Chesapeke Bay which provided a much needed break from the heat.

We found an AMAZING sweets shoppe for a mid-afternoon snack

Reminiscent of China, for those who know what I"m talking about

The lacrosse fields as seen from the bay

Beautiful Bancroft Hall where the boys stayed

The Chapel and one of it's many beautiful stained glass windows

Another highlight of our visit was a night at the Medieval Times Castle. Naturally this was the one thing that Miss Grace was eagerly anticipating. Horses, knights, the Princess, the King, the horses. You get the idea.

Because she was so excited we decided to get front row seats for dinner and I am SO glad we did. Our knight was the RED knight. A most brave, respected and feared warrior (or so they say at the castle).

 During the show, after each of  his skillful acts of might and bravery, he would present a young lady with a flower.Miss Grace watched coyly as each received their flower but none came to her. Then during his last act the King presented the RED knight with a banner which said "Queen of the Tournament" which was to be presented to one special "Lady" in attendance that the knight chose himself. The RED knight presented the banner to Miss Grace. She was absolutely stunned, then froze when he rode up to her with it on the end of his lance so her father had to receive it in her place. It was so cute and she was silent almost the entire rest of the night with awe.Maybe it was the excitement of the show, the incredible horses, the falconer (a young Asian woman--now she wants to do that too!) or the whole Knight-thang. I've never seen her this way but I'd say our visit to the castle made quite and impression on her.

Truly a "Knight to Remember", LOL!

The next few days we spent touring the Naval Academy, shopping, enjoying the pool and exploring the area by car. It was a great time, very relaxing, and I'm sure we will go again.

Still Recalling the Awe,

~Kate-Lyn~