Happy First Birthday, Grace!

At 2:12 a.m., July 29th out little princess turns ONE! Happy Birthday, Grace! (Here's an interesting trivia fact: Grace was actually born in the afternoon Thailand time, but when we convert to American EDT she becomes an early morning arrival.)

She enjoyed her birthday cupcake. Thanks, Grandma DeJ.

She was so tired during the party. Look at the red around her eyes.

She also liked opening presents (with a little help from Brother).

This was actually Grace's second party. We had one before we left home (Asia) and we'll have another one when we get to my parents house. We're planning on leaving tomorrow to swing by our house, drop some stuff off, then head to Tennessee for the first time in over three years! Can't wait!

Future MBA's of America

Yep, here he is sleeping while everyone else is on the job. Don't worry. He just gave careful directions about how to do the job. I think an MBA and career in management might be in his future.

Here's the conversation from the sandbox yesterday.

Archie (playing with fish mold): Daddy, you do the fish.

Daddy: OK (makes fish sand castle 3-4 times).

Daddy: Archie, you help.

Archie: Daddy, I'm too busy.

Busy two-year-olds. Gotta love 'em!

Van without a driver!

We bought it! A 2005 Kia Sedona! Like it? Only problem: I can't drive it. Well, legally I can drive it, but I'm too scared. I didn't even test drive the thing. I haven't driven in three years. Not sure if I remember how...Hunt asked me when I would start driving. I said never but he said as soon as I get bored in Blacksburg and need to get out of the house while he's at school/work. We'll see. The Blacksburg Transit will look pretty good after three year's of foreign buses.

Our son has no such qualms about driving. Thankfully, his feet don't reach the pedals so we don't have to worry too much.

Love this expression!
A family photo!
Grace's preferred mode of transportation! Love this Radio Flyer thing. Both kids can ride in it at once and the seats fold down for when they're older!

What I've learned about bargaining and buying cars. Gotta do it! The manager let us walk over a mere $300 the night we went to purchase it. (We did our Blue Book/Edmunds research, and we weren't going over our max price.) Next day, got a call from the sales guy that the day manager was happy to sell it to us for our bottom line price ($500 different from the night manager). Woo hoo! Guess we learned something about bargaining in Asia! Hunt had me do the bargaining and let me drive the hard line. It was kind of fun!

Cowboy and more favorites

I feel like the top pic could be the cover of a country music album :)

Getting a tux pic was the real reason I took him for pictures. I love how the studios in Asia have such fun clothes cause I can't ever imagine buying Archie a tux!

Everyday Archie!

The pics above are of Archie dressed like one of the 56 minority groups in China. I'm pretty sure this one is from the Western part of the country.

Almost One

Before we left Asia, I took Grace in for the last installment of pictures in her one year book. Since her birthday isn't until next week, we had to forgo the traditional one-year pictures for 11-and-a-half months. Works for me.

Most of these are page layouts from her book. I'll post the individual shots in Snapfish.

Family Portrait Fun!

The Chinese Emporers Wed

A desire to have some memorable Chinese style photos was what sparked our trip to the portrait studio. I was thinking of the sleeker Tang Dynasty style, but Hunt's condition for the pics was that we got to wear big hats. (He let me pick our other outfits.) This is the style of wedding clothes that emperors wore many many years ago. Fun, huh!

Here's Hunt pulling off my veil. Traditionally, this would be the first time the husband saw his new bride.

Red is the color of prosperity and luck so that's what brides and grooms traditionally wear. Like my wig?

Six and half years and still in love!

I don't know what got into me before we left China. I went a little photo crazy! I had the last installment in Grace's first year album completed, got a portrait book done for Archie, and headed over to a wedding portrait studio with Hunt for a little fun. (I think it was mainly fun for me, but Hunt was a good sport.) They made family casual portraits with the kids, traditional Chinese wedding portraits of Hunt and me, and these fun formals. While they were making me up for these pics and I was noticing my aging since our wedding, and I just kept thinking of the verse, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised." After six-and-a-half years of marriage, I was pleased with the way Hunt and I "cleaned up" but I remember it's what's on the inside that counts, and pray God will continue to shape my character.

Back in the U.S.A.!

We're back! I'm making my first post live from America (Chesapeake, VA). We touched down last night around 1:30 a.m., and Hunt's parents and Aunt Kay were at the airport to greet us. When we got "home" I could hardly believe their newly remodeled kitchen/dining room/living room. WOW! Things have sure changed a lot since I was here last three years ago, and it was the FIRST time in America for both of our kids.

About 2 a.m. this morning before Archie headed off to bed.

We spent the whole day today at home battling jet lag with an infant and toddler. I have done my duty. Despite a rather lengthy morning/afternoon nap for Grace, we kept the kids awake until 7:30 and ourselves awake until 8 a.m. (Just kidding, I took a five hour nap - oops.) I think we're all headed to bed soon. Then, we can't wait to see everybody! We should be headed to Tennessee around the end of the month and in B'burg by August 6-7.

Happy Dragon Boat Festival!

Last month we had fun celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with lots of friends at the riverside, which happens to have a little sand like a beach. We fought for our spots on the bus at around 7 a.m., but still arrived after the boat races were finished. No problem. We still had a great time in and around the water. (I definitely wasn't planning on letting Archie get in the nasty polluted river water, but all the other kids were doing it so I just couldn't say no)

Archie with one of my best friends here! She was a lot braver than I was about playing in the water and Archie certainly enjoyed his playmate.

Grace enjoyed getting a little loving on the shore.