Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...

Maybe this wasn't good idea... 

I'm so behind...

We were gone this weekend to Fresno for Scott's 20 year high school reunion...it was a lot of fun. I didn't know many people, but aparently Scott was popular in high school and knew everyone! We were joking that it was like that episode of Friends where Monica dfinally gets to date the poular high school guy...she aks"So,do you still hang out with anyone from High School?" and he says, "no, not really..just Zeke,Manual,Marco(these are all friends that Scott still keeps in contact with!!!),Kirk,Rod,Keith,Erik...you know, not that many!" We enjoyed ourselves and I actually got to hear a few high school stories I hadn't already heard 50 times!!
On another note:
Four year old birthday presents...WHY does EVERY single one of them have to have 500 pieces? and why do they say on the box "ages 3 and up" when you need an engineering degree to put the thing together??? and now they are srpead all over my house..
well, scott needs the computer...more tomorrow. sorry, havent spell checked.

20 Year reunion... 

High School friends 

Scott gettin down! 

Gracie and batman ride a pony! 

swimming lessons 

A fun time with Papa and Aunt Michelle...

Today we went to the San Mateo County Fair. Gracie LOVED the animlas! so much more than Cameron did at this age. She just likes to stand and look at them. SHe loved the bunnies and pigs. They both rode ponies and pet a deer in the petting zoo. we played some games and almost won a goldfish...oh well, maybe next time. Tomorrow Cameron "graduates" from Swim lessons and we will have dinner in the park...The kids love having their Aunt and Papa here, and I do too! It is like having a full time nanny to help me! They leave on Friday and we will all be sad...

cool pirate kite 

Happy Birthday (again!) 

kite flying 

Catching up...

It has been really busy and I am catching up on things...On Thursday we went to Music in the park and had a good time seeing friends and hearing the fun music...As you can see, Cameron spends most of the time in a tree...Friday my Aunt and Uncle stopped by for a visit. We hadn't seen them since Christmas...Then Saturday My Dad and sister arrived from Orange County and Sunday was the much anticipated pirate Birthday party! We walked the plank, searched for treasure and ate lunch with friends, most of which have been our friends since Cameron was 8 weeks old..Today we are just hanging out and recovering from the weekend. We will probably go to the fair sometime this week.

Monkey! 

Music in the park 

silly face! 

Cousins

This was taken on Sunday, but I thought it was cute...We were In San Diego and we met our cousins for breakfast and then had fun playing on the beach with them before heading off to Legoland...The other one is Gracie making a very funny face!

Cousins 

This is the only candle I had..

And she HAS been home for one year! She blew out the candle perfectly! She's all ready for her birthday in 6 weeks...

No, she's not one... 

Our first meeting 

HAPPY FAMILY DAY!!!!

One year ago today, Miss Grace Corinne(after my late mom) Huan(part or her Chinese name-means "joyful") Smith (formerly Mao Huan Yuan) was placed in our arms! It has been an amazing year watching her grow into a little toddler! She will be two in September. We all feel so lucky to have her...

More "gotcha" Pictures 

The First time we saw you!! 

Group 93 Reunion!

This weekend was so much fun. We had our Group 93 1 year Reunion. These are all of the People who went to China with us and we have such a bond over our amazing experience. To think a year ago, some of these babies could have literally been Gracie's "crib mate" at the orphanage. All but one Family made it down to San Diego for the party and we had such a great time. It was held at one of the members homes with a pool and the kids really enjoyed swimming all day. We all couldn't believe how much they "babies" had changed and decide we can't really call them babies anymore! They are all walking, talking toddlers and they are so precious...I feel lucky to have this connection with these people and am so happy that Gracie will grow up knowing them...

All the "babies"! 

The whole Gang 

Gracie's China "sisters"! 

Friends from our group 93

Friends from China 

Happy Birthday! 

On the plane 

I survived my 1st plane trip alone with two kids

It went pretty well. It helps that the flight to Orange County is only an hour and a half...We hit one speedbump when at the security check point they wanted Cameron to take off his new light up shoes (I had already taken mine off, put the car seat and backpack up on the belt and was holding Gracie while trying to fold the stroller) At first I thought the man was joking, and Cameron did NOT want to cooperate! I explained that they liked his shoes so much that they wanted to get a closer look at them so they could buy a pair! That did it! He took them right off! I will post pictures of our plane ride later...

Happy Birthday Cameron!!

I can't belive that four years ago to day you were born! you are such a fun and cut little boy! We love you!
Love, Mommmy, Daddy and gracie...

Everybody poops!

Sorry for the title, but you will understand soon...Anyone who has been through potty training might have heard of this book-it's called Everybody Poops. It is pretty funny and Cameron was obsessed with it when we were potty training. So we are at Burger King today-I know, I know, but we spent all day waiting for the brakes to be done on the car and we had to eat something within walking distance...So Gracie spills her drink all over and Cameron says in this exasperated tone that I hope he didnt get from listening to me "OHH GRACE" And I said "Everybody Spills" Now, on a side note, Cameron has a VERY loud voice. We are constantly asking him to lower his voice, so he says in his "normal" loud voice "Hey, just like Everybody Poops!!!" I swear every head in the restaurant(is burger King a "restaurant?) turned to stare at us! I love 4 year olds...

Last year this time we were in Hong Kong!

Getting ready for the arrival of Gracie. This weekend is our Group 93 Reunion in San Diego. I am very excited to see everyone.

Toddler's Creed

This has always cracked me up and it seemed appropriate today...


If I like it, it's mine
If it's in my hand, it's mine
If I can take it from you, it's mine
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
If it's mine, it must never appear yours in any way
If I am doing or building something, all the pieces are mine
If it looks like mine, it's mine
If I think it's mine, it's mine

I have changed the settings for the blog...

So anyone can now comment without having an account...Comment away!

Living with a two year old...

The thing about living with an almost two year old is that it is like living with a mentally imbalanced person...They can't really communicate what they need and you walk around on eggshells wondering when they will next explode. It could be that she wants a cookie right before dinner, or maybe she wants to climb on something not appropriate for climbing, it could be anything at all that sets it off, and once it happens, there's no stopping it...The screaming, crying, kicking, did I mention the screaming? It can last for 2 minutes or 1 hour, you just never know...The books say to "distract" them. Has that ever worked for anyone? Not with my kids. They have a one track mind. I try and remain calm and wait it out, but sometimes it just gets to me...I have taken a "time out" of my own by locking myself in the office with them banging on the door...That is when I start to feel like a failure as a parent. What kind of person locks herself in a room to get away from their kids?? Me. And you know what? It is better for everyone. Because if I did what I wanted to do(scream back at them like a mentally imbalanced person) it wouldn't help anything...And don't even get me started o n the 4 year old tantrums....NO ONE warned me about those(or they probably did, but I couldn't hear them over the screaming)

tantrums