Adoption Group Picnic

We hosted a BBQ and gathering for all the local adoptive families who adopted their daughter's from China the same time we adopted Emma Claire. We all had our dossiers logged in to China in October 2006 and have stayed in touch via a Facebook group we've had for some time. We decided that the NJ/NY/CT families should gather and meet face to face. Turns out one family only lives a short distance from us, just a couple of towns over.

The kids played and we all talked. It was really nice to get our children together and we hope to continue to meet up.

Emma Claire (center) and her pals.

Ring a Round the Rosie

Being silly.

The Air Show

 

Long lines, record heat for this time of year and too few food vendors is never fun, but fighter jets, snow cones and cotton candy can make you forget all about that pretty quickly.

 

 

Sno-cones make everything better.

Summer's Coming to a Close



The kids summer vacation is coming to a close and school will be starting soon.

 

Chloe helps me sort through the back to school supplies.

 Chloe and I went to her middle school orientation. We met the school administrators, some teachers and walked her schedule to all of her classes. We also decorated her locker. Her very tall, but skinny locker.

The kids have been outdoors for what remains of their break. Oliver and Emma Claire really enjoy the water table a little too much. Perhaps a blow up splash pool would have been a better option?

Last Summer Regional

We went to New Jersey for the last regional and the last kart race before the start of school. Chloe did well. She came in 1st place on Saturday. Oliver even got back on track for his second kid kart race. He came in 2nd. He's already demanding Matt get him a faster motor!

Saturday's podium.

Emma Claire and Dillon, whom she adores.

Oliver looking cool.

Ready to race.

Green Belts

Both Oliver and Chloe graduated to orange belts in Tae Kwon Do. We thought it would bother Oliver that he and Chloe were the same belts (he's been just a step ahead of her since she started), but he is really excited that they can progress together.

We Have a Boat!

Yes, we've had a boat for some years now. It just that it's gotten a little overlooked lately.

 

Traveling for kart racing during the warmer months means that some of our other toys/activities fall by the wayside. Case in point--our boat. We didn't even uncover it last summer (2014) and we managed to sneak it out twice this summer before we sent it off to be winterized. The kids still love it and love to tube. We will definitely have to make it a goal to go boating on our off weekend(s) next year.

 

 

 

Chloe and Oliver love to tube. The older they get, the faster they want to go.

Grand Nationals

 

Chloe competed in MiniMax at nationals in Kershaw, South Carolina. Chloe came in 11th in her new class. BeBe, PaPaw and Aunt Deanna also came to watch Chloe race (and to celebrate Emma Claire's birthday). We also got to bring back a supply of PaPaw's homemade salsa.

 

This should last about a month. Ha!

 

Happy Birthday Emma Claire!

The Birthday Girl on her 3rd birthday!

Emma Claire got to celebrate her 3rd birthday with family at friends at the toddler dream location of a racetrack in South Carolina! Emma Claire's birthday fell on the calendar at the same time as Summer Nationals this year so she had a small celebration with BeBe, PaPaw, Aunt Deanna, our family and a few other race friends. Since we traveled in the RV we were able to bring the presents with us. Aunt Deanna brought the cake up from Atlanta. 

Emma Claire and her cake--Dora, of course.

Big sister, Chloe, helps Emma Claire blow out her candles.

Opening presents.

Summer Fun

Summer fun at Bryan & Sue's house.