Lily's First Hair Cut

Ok, it was her second really, but the first one was done by me and it was only her bangs.:o) She did really well. There was definate concern, but no tears...such a brave girl! (And these are not exactly recent...this was back in July!)

Hello There...

...to anyone out there who may actually still be checking in from time to time.:o) We are still around, though our old computers are not. Note I say computers...plural. My laptop died quite a while back and Robert's computer finally took a dive a few weeks ago. But we are now up and running again and Robert is loving his new MAC! Several of his friends convinced him it was the way to go and he seems to be very happy with it...I love the 24" monitor.:o) Anyway, now that I also have a new computer (not a mac though), it has some features on it that make it very easy to get pictures uploaded and organized which in turn will make it much easier for me to get them up on my blog.:o) Here are a few and I hope to update with more very soon.

These were taken at a park while we were on vacation in Oregon. Robert was doing a photo shoot with my cousin Lisa so I took a few shots of Lily while she was being somewhat cooperative.:o)

That smile just lights up my world.

Back on August 12th Lily went from a crib to a big girl bed! We had been talking about it for weeks and she was so excited. She has done so well with it. She only fell out one time on the first night and not once since then. It took her a while to figure out that she could get up on her own in the morning...now she has no problem with that.:o)

Look Who's 3!

On Saturday, August 15th, we celebrated Lily's 3rd birthday. I can't believe it. Didn't we just come home from China and celebrate her 1st birthday? I don't know what is going on with time, but it's just going by ridiculously fast. We had our friends and family over for the celebration and we all had a fun time. Lily got a little overwhelmed with all of the people and presents, but for the most part, she did pretty well.

This was her present from mommy and daddy...a ladybug car. How could we pass up a ladybug car?? During her party she was so sweet and showed her best friend Rachel how to use it too.

Great-Grandma, Grandma (Lao-Lao) and Auntie Jenny with baby Sara.

Lily wondering what to do with all of these presents!

Aunt Paula, Larry and Auntie Ellen watching the fun.

Mommy helping Lily open her presents. After the first one, she was so excited she ran right into the living room to play with it. I guess it is kind of mean to have a child open a present and then take it away from them to make them open the next one! Anyway, I ended up finishing the gift-opening for her.:o)

Kitchen Littles! She LOVES these. Every time we go over to our friend Mantha's house, she makes a bee-line right for these toys and plays with them for hours. She was so excited when she saw these!

A girl can never have too many clothes!

A brand new tea set from Lao-Lao. She loves to make us tea and coffee.

This is Kai-lan from the show Nihao Kai-lan. It's kind of like Dora the Explorer, except kids learn Mandarin, Chinese instead of Spanish. She is so cute!

3-D sidewalk chalk! I can't wait to try this. I'm not sure what my nervous expression is about...hmmmm.

Lily sharing her new toys with her friends.

I think someone is ready for cake!

As per Lily's request...a flower cake with M&M's.

She started trying to blow out her candles before we even finished singing!

Blowing out her 3 candles.

Mantha and Rachel.

Mike and Jenny.

Mmmm....I think she likes it!

Sean and Marley...Rachel's' daddy and baby sister.

Flowers, bugs and M&M's were the theme of the day. I had so much fun making these party favors for her friends.

These dirt cups were another special treat. They were so easy to make and came out so cute. Almost too cute to eat....almost.:o)

Mommy and daddy love you sooooooo big baby girl. You are a blessing to us each and every day and we are continuously thankful to God who in His infinite wisdom decided we were worthy to be your parents. I don't know what we did to deserve you, but we will cherish and treasure you always. Happy birthday to the sweetest girl I know.

A Lovely Surprise

Waaaaay back on Sunday, May 3rd, we threw a surprise ??????th birthday party for my mother-in-law. Robert's sister and I had a lot of fun planning and preparing and not so much fun sweating it out hoping no one would spill the beans (especially Lily who was very much in on it). Lily didn't talk to Nai Nai very much before her party! After throwing something like this, I've grown a whole new respect for wedding and party planners. Anyway, she was surprised and I think she had a great time.:o)

One of the tables set up in our backyard.

A beautiful shot taken by a very special photographer we hired for the day.
(I hope he wasn't expecting to get paid though!)

It was a tea party theme so we had lots of sandwiches, salads, cheese trays and yummy snacks.

The coffee, tea and water table.

We did mini cupcakes for dessert and made a special cupcake holder for Jewell's.

Jewell's niece, Cheryl, flew in from Arizona. I think that surprised her more than anything!

After the initial surprise, we hit her again with another one...

...all of her friends surprising her as she walked into the kitchen.

Aunt Paula and Lily...I just love this picture.

Lily with my mom, Lao Lao. I think Lily was having a good time!

Jewell's good friend Edy reading a special poem she had written just for the occasion.

Robert's sister Ellen and her friend Jon-Marc who we hired to help for the party. Not only was he a great help, but he was also a very popular guest.;o)

Lily helping herself to some food.

Cheryl made Jewell a very special scrapbook for her birthday. They actually share the same birthday, although there are a few years between them.:o)

Jewell with her friend Dori...the Cuban firecracker!

The whole gang.

What better gift to give a grandma than pictures of her granddaughter? Gift giving sure has gotten easier since Lily came along.:o)