GREAT DAY

We have a great system. I cook and the girls clean up!

Kau`i won!

Our family spent the night at the Grand Wailea Beach Resort. It is known for its enormous activity pool. The pools are connected by a river that carries swimmers along at varying speeds to watersides, rapids, rope swing and more. No pictures but everyone enjoyed themselves.

Kailani is doing wonderful. She called her foster family the first week she was here and also called the SWI.

Kailani started piano lessons and loves it. She practices often!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Anticipation ...

Kailani very grateful.

Is Kau`i a little excited? No it's not a cell phone.

Roommates

Singing "I Love Nobody Nobody But You."

Zoey walked four steps today.

My precious Madilyn.

And then there is Ryland. Love this boy!

OUT TO DINNER

Sisters get along beautifully.

Kailani loves her dad. She also likes going to work with him riding the big lifts high into the air.

We are so proud of our girls!

A pre Christmas dinner with our girls at Ruths Chris Steak House was very enjoyable. Kailani (our newest daughter) was very excited to get dress for a fancy dinner. She loved seeing the table with all the silverware, plates and different beverage glasses. It was cute watching Kau`i instruct Kailani how to butter the bread. She loved the little french fries, deep fried calamari with sweet chili sauce. That was just the appetizers. Her dinner consisted of Mahi Mahi, rice, steamed broccoli, sweet corn and topped off with vanilla ice cream!

MAUI NO KA OI

Kailani's (right) wish came true. She played in the Pacific Ocean.

Kailani has no fear and went right in.

How far can we dig?

Our Sand Angel Makena

Beautiful! and this is just 5 minutes from home.

BIRTHDAY PARTY

Pass the gift box game. When the music stops. Rip the wrapper. Kailani won the $.

 Eat the donut "fast."

 Singing Happy Birthday!

 Pop the Balloon.

 Air Hockey

 My two sweeties.

Thanks Mae for a fantastic time at Sienna's BD Party. The girls will remember all the fun times we had at your home. The hula show topped it off. Such talent!

OUCH!!!

That's right! Kailani talked about wanting to get her ears pierced since we were in China. Well, not giving her advanced notice, she got her wish. Kailani is #1 when it comes to feeling pain. She didn't know she was going have her ears pierced until we were at the jewelry counter. All the girls were comforting her even before she was poked. Kailani is so thankful for every little thing she receives.

Kailani loves her school. She said it's much better than her school in China. The teachers and staff are very nice to her. Every morning Kailani gives her 5th grade class a mini lesson and teaches the students Chinese words. Kau`i is an excellent interpreter. The owner of the school, Mrs. Todd, is tutoring Kailani in English. Mrs. Todd and others from the school go to China once a year to do missionary work. We are blessed.

PIANO AND TUTORING

 Kailani kept on playing for a very long time until she was satisfied.

Kau`i decided she wanted to learn to play the piano!

The girls and Mrs. K made Kailani's first day of tutoring fun.

OUR ANGELS

Our girls are just in love with Kailani. Who wouldn't be. She fits into our family beautifully and is very loving and respectful. 

Exhausted from our trip home from China, on Friday we attended Maile and Makena's Christmas program at school. We thought it would be overwhelming for Kailani, but she was fine.

She met the school's owner, principal and her teacher. Doris Todd is a small Christian School and everyone knew our family was going to China to bring Kailani home. She had a very warm welcome and will start school on Monday.

Today we had a combined birthday party for our son and a welcome home party for Kailani. We invited friends and family. Kailani was gracious and had an infectious smile.

Kailani loved the pool and jacuzzi and will probably learn to swim in no time at all. 

Dale and I are still on "Cloud Nine" because Kailani is so loving. She continually gives us hugs, kisses and talks to us in Chinese like we know exactly what she is saying... yeah right!

Tomorrow is her first day of tutoring at our home. I think her teacher will be very impressed.

Candid Shots

Acting silly with Sandy!

Girls with Julia on the Pearl River boat ride.

Dale tried a taste of chicken feet delicacy. It didn't go well.

White Swan Hotel under construction. Only restaurant is open.

Love Jenny's!

Love the back of the bus.

Today is our last full day in China. Today we will meet our very good friend Sandy. The last we saw her was in Sunriver, OR. The group (and Sandy) will go to the Guangzhou Zoo, have dinner then pack for tomorrow's trip home.

We enjoyed our fourth trip to China. The circus is beyond words but a "must see!"

Lastly, our prayers go out to three families we met on this trip to China. One lost his dad last night and the other two are going home without their dream of a son and a daughter.

Kailani

It has been nine days with Kailani. Dale and I continue to stare at her in disbelief because after over a year of paperwork she is finally our daughter. It hasn't quite sunk in yet that we are seeing her face to face and hearing her laugh, pout and be silly.


Kau`i is so good for Kailani. She takes it upon herself to explained the importance of giving thanks to Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins and, now before meals, Kailani says her part of prayer aloud in Chinese!

Kailani has no favorite. She clings to her dad, mom and Kau`i. She's smart, sensitive and sweet. We had planned to slowly show her affection and when she was ready she would come to us. Well it didn't take long at all. Walking hand in hand with her dad is the most beautiful site to see. Also calling out "Daddy!" or "Thank you Daddy, Thank you Momma." What a blessing!

Enjoy today's pictures. We had a blast getting the girls hair done and riding bumper cars at the Grandview Mall.

 
 

Group Pictures

 Fun group to be with in China!

Our group spent the day shopping for souvenirs and Chinese outfits. Rebbeca and Aron are the best! Our girls could not wait to find Chinese dresses for the group photo. They did well and looked beautiful.