NICK HAS HIS FIRST SURGERY

So, our little guy had to go in for his first surgery on Friday, March 19th, and what a little trooper he was. Because his teeth were not taken care of in Taiwan his mouth was a mess, according to his dentist. The dentist thought it would be best if we put him in the hospital to have all his teeth done at once instead of having multiple appointments and his pediatrician agreed. So, he went in at 8am and didn't get home until 2pm, doing well, but minus 5 teeth. The dentist could not save those five, 2 front teeth. But he looks so cute without his two front teeth. But let me tell you this kid is working it. Joe and I are trying to get him to eat good food, soft food of course, but everytime we try to give him applesauce or eggs or soup, his belly is too full. When you ask him what he wants it is chocolate ice cream that mommy bought for him. He has learned to work the system. You can't help falling in love with his new $3000 smile. We are so proud of him because he has not cried much at all having had gone through what he has. Natalie, on the other hand has had a rough weekend because she had her two front teeth built up and the nerves covered because her teeth were so weak. The poor thing does not like her new teeth because they feel funny. Hopefully, they will fall out sooner than later and Nick's will come in sooner than later. We are so very blessed with our babies.

Nick putting his own band on

Nick filling out his own paperwork. :)

After surgery

Heading home . . . .

NATALIE TAKES ICE SKATING LESSONS

This is what Nick was doing while the girls were skating.
Natalie & Rebekah and their new skating friend

Natalie started ice skating lessons yesterday at the RDV. For those of you who have not been to the RDV sports complex, it is amazing and so close to the house. So, for 8 weeks Natalie will be trying out the sport of ice skating. Who knows she could be the next Kristi Yamaguchi. :) So, her and her friend Rebekah are taking lessons at the same time but not with the same teacher. Both teachers were saying how well the two beauties did and that was no exaggeration. Yesterday was the only the second time that Natalie and Rebekah have been on ice skates and when it came time for free skate the two of them took off to skate around the rink by themselves. They both did their share of falling, but it was too cute. When they fell they just got right back up and skated some more. Before they did get on the ice the teachers taught them how to fall and get back up. They are both excited to go back again next week - good thing. :) Besides Marybeth and I have time to catch up while they are skating.

Doing great!

She learned how to get up and did looked too cute.

Natalie & Rebekah with Miss Lauren - Natalie's teacher

Notice the hands are out, just like she was taught

CHINA HOTEL - My Favorite

When we were in China getting our beautiful daughter, we stayed at this awesome hotel. I just found out this week that the hotel was imploded and is no more. It held alot of memories for us and our China group and I am sure many others because it was a hotel that many adoptive families stayed in while in China. I will remember the many hours walking Natalie around and around the hotel floor and the fun baby block parties we had with the other families and the beautiful park right outside the hotel driveway. We spent a week there before we moved onto
Guanghou to finalize the adoptions. Memories.

http://en.jxwmw.cn/system/2010/02/09/010185911.shtml

Chinese New Year Eve

Today was our Chinese Lessons and it was a great class for the kids. Since tomorrow is Chinese New Year, the year of the Tiger, the teacher did alot of fun lessons with the kids. She read a Chinese New Year book about the celebrations, they colored a Chinese dragon, they traced the words for a Good Luck Chinese Scroll, they ate Chinese snacks, they made hong se longe (red chinese dragons) and got red envelopes to take home. For us adults it was fun to watch the excitement of the Chinese people about this holiday. Miss Christina, the teacher, has such a great way to teach the kids chinese. I am even learning some, which I can hopefully pass on to our friends, the D'Aurias when they go to Taiwan.

XIN NIAN KUAI LE! (Happy New Year!)

Nicolas' dragon

Natalie's Dragon

Miss Christina giving Natalie her red envelope after she says xin nian kuai le

Miss Christina giving Nicolas his red envelope after he says xian nian kuai le

MONSTER TRUCK JAM

We went to the Monster Truck Jam last night, thanks to Joe's friend Tim. What a blast it was! The kids loved it, Natalie more so than Nick. She was dancing and making truck noises and everyone was getting a kick out of her. One of my favorite events was the Soccer mom demolition. Joey and I thought I would do great in that race. hehe! Because we had so much fun we want to make it a yearly event.. Go Grave Digger!!

SIGNING IN AGAIN . . .

It has been quite awhile since I have updated and I am going to try and get better because we are so busy with the kids and taking so many pictures, but not doing a whole lot with them. The last post was in October for Gotcha Day and Nick's 4th birthday. Since then we have had Thanksgiving, Nick's readoption, Natalie's birthday, Grandpa's visit, Christmas, Auntie Debbie's visit, Nana & Papa's 50th Anniversary celebration, and Nick's baptism. None of which there are any pictures posted. I am going to try and post alittle from each. Since then the kids have been busy taking Chinese lessons, going to birthday parties, skating and tonight we are going to the Monster Truck show. We are excited. For now I am going to post a picture from skating, courtesy of our friend, the photographer, Liz. The kids had a blast last weekend doing open skating and they want more.

EXTENDING GOTCHA DAY 2009

We extended our Gotcha Day celebration for another weekend. Kevin, Krista, Cameron and Kennedy Thompson were in town on vacation so we got to spend some time with them. We met Kevin and Krista in China and their little Jiangxi beauty is a month younger than Natalie. Jen and Tyra DiMatteo also decided to come visit us again so that we could get as many girls together as possible. The Millers were going to try and come but couldn't make it. What is amazing about all of our girls is that they get along sooo well. Each time they get together they just fall into a routine of playing non-stop until they drop or it is time to part. Natalie, Tyra and Kennedy had so much fun playing all afternoon while us adults could catch up. We were all trying to plan our big celebration for next year since on 10/10/10 will be our 5 yr Gotcha Day anniversary. We really want as many families as possible so we are trying to make it easy for everyone. We can't wait. This week we also tried to catch up with the Jensen's who were in town from Utah, but our work schedules wouldn't allow. We missed Grace, part of the 10 Fu sisters, but we were thinking of all of them and hoping they had fun in Orlando, since the weather is so beautiful this week.

3 Beauty Fu sisters

Krista, Cameron, Kennedy and Kevin

Playing Elefun!

They played in this hoola hoop most of the day. .

Kennedy, Krista, Natalie, Jen & Tyra