Our mini vacation

For several reasons we decided not to take a family vacation this past summer. We were excited when we found out that the OCDF (Our Chinese Daughter's Foundation) was going to have a seminar at the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City. Not only would we get to stay at the hotel that we have driven by numerous times, but Mommy would get to listen to a seminar on something that is near and dear to my heart, Chinese adoption!

When the girls arrived home from school Friday we packed up the van and off to KC we headed. Even though it was dark when we arrived, the girls KNEW the hotel on sight! After checking in, we drove over to Bob Evans to eat with our friends. The girls had an extra treat for supper as a balloon man was at the restaurant. We enjoyed our supper and went back to the hotel with two princesses, Santa and a reindeer in tow!







The Lodge has storybook time in the lobby. I am not sure if this is a Christmas Holiday thing, but it was great for the girls! We didn't make it down early enough the first night to join in, but we did watch from the balcony.





The highlights of the weekend for the girls was: swimming, watching it snow INSIDE and seeing Santa Claus!









Of course, as with most vacations, everyone was worn out afterwards. This is what three of the girls looked like less than 20 minutes after we headed home.

I never thought it would happen!!

Several years ago, I had begun to think that this day would never come. Lo and behold....today it finally happened! All our girls were on Santa's lap at the same time! ZoraLin has long been the one who vowed not to go near him. For several years in a row, she would promise me that she would sit on his lap at home, in the car and as we were walking through the mall towards him. But as soon as we were near, she would change her mind and no amount of pleading, begging and/or bribery would work. She was NOT going to sit anywhere near this guy. I am in utter amazement! And she was mad because he did not let her read her list to him!!

It was bittersweet for me to see this. The part that makes me bitter....our neighbor girl informed the girls that it isn't the REAL Santa at the mall. I hope I kept the faith alive in most of them. I explained to them that Santa Claus is very busy at this time of the year and it is very hard for him to be everywhere at the same time. I think they bought that explanation!

There is new Royality in the area!!

And we finally got to meet her this week! Our friends, Sophie and Gary, traveled to China in October and brought home their precious baby girl from Hunan. Little Ms. Zia Joy has completely wrapped her parents around her little finger, just as she should! Of course, they waited for her for well over two years, so they were goners pretty much as soon as she was in their arms! She is a cute little punkin and I think that our girls will be wanting to spend much more time with Zia as she grows.



We also found out that there is a pretty nice pizza place not too far away from our home. So not only was it great to finally meet Ms Zia Joy, but we also have a new place to eat! The girls also played at the school play area for a while and had a great time!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I have been trying to think of something profound and/or poetic to say about today. All I can think of is that we have been very, very blessed. Nick and his girlfriend were here this week to help us celebrate. Bubby walks on the water pretty much as far as his little sisters are concerned. He brought his Wii and the girls have had a wonderful time bowling with it. Bubby and Delaney each brought their laptops and this morning I found RaeAnne sharing in the fun of side-by-side gaming with her big brother! With Daddy websurfing on his laptop in the next chair...well let's just say that technology is alive and well here at our house!

As I worked yesterday and will now work the next three days, I opted to cook our "feast" as the girls call it just a little differently this year. We ordered our meal from our local supermarket. For less than what it would have cost for us to all go eat out, we had turkey, dressing, smashed tators w/gravy, cranberry relish, rolls, a broccoli/rice casserole and pumpkin pie. While it wasn't nearly as good as homemade, it was nice to basically heat and eat. The turkey was really good and made up for the so-so dressing. And we will be able to enjoy the leftovers for a couple of days. I even have grand ideas of using the turkey carcass to make some turkey noodle soup!

We have strayed from our traditions the last couple of years and we were anxious to get back into the tradition of putting the Christmas tree up as a family. For many years we would wait until Bubby was with us for Thanksgiving (usually after) to put up our Christmas tree as a group. I think the last time we actually did this was in Texas....we have been so bad! So once we had regained our senses after pigging out, we tore into the task! Okay....so we did fudge a little. We finally had to replace our Christmas tree a few years ago. We now have a pre-lit Christmas tree that is absolutely beautiful. It is already decorated with pine cones and has lights that can be all white or multicolored, continuous or alternating. We have many ornaments that we have collected over the years, but this tree is gorgeous without decorations!
We then took the traditional photos of our family in front of the tree. Here is a November 2003 photo and one from today. Just a few more darlings around the tree!!

The Big FIVE~~~O!!

Yes, it finally happened. I have become one half a century old! Hill.....what hill?? Most of the time I don't feel old, I do feel tired, exhausted and decrepid at times....but OLD? My biggest regret of life so far....the fact that I waited so long to have a husband and children! Of course, if I had started at a younger age, I would have never had the best family in the world!!

The girls had to wake me up early to wish me Happy Birthday and give me a handful of cards. I enjoyed receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my cousin in the afternoon and then my significant other and crew took me out to Red Lobster to eat! If I have to turn 50...this is the best way of doing it!!

My conjoined triplets

Three heads are better than one and with three brains working overtime....you can get into trouble much quicker!

Trick or Treat!!

I had to work today, but one of my co-workers came in early so I could go trick or treating with the girls this evening. The trick was on me! My co-worker forgot that she was going to come in for me today, so I was over an hour late! Daddy was a champ and with a little phone coaching managed to get all four costumes on. Last minute phone call from ZoraLin was, "Mommy, where are the pumpkins to put the candy in?" Well, since I was still at work I directed Daddy to get plastic bags! They met me outside the hospital and off we went to a nursing home not too far away. What a neat place!! In their grand room they had the residents, staff and some family members seated in a big circle. The kids then traveled around the circle with their bags open saying "Trick or treat." Mom and Dad went along prompting, "Now what do you say?" All the way!! In about 15 minutes the girls each had a bag full of about 5 pounds of candy!

Can you say "Sugar high?"!!! Kendalan and Jordis Li are princesses, RaeAnne a witch and ZoraLin was Mortica.