Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Playing in the Park
We had a fun time going as a family to the park on Sunday afternoon. Vera always finds plenty of kids to play with!
Tianjin Friends
After we left Beijing, we headed to Tianjin to see some old friends. Matt only stayed a couple of days because he needed to get back to work, but Vera and I stayed a little longer.
I was very excited to see our old ayi. She worked in our home a couple of days a week during the two years we lived in Tianjin. Several of us had taught her how to make western food, so twice a week someone else would cook good food for us! She was also very perceptive about what she could do around the house toe help us. But most of all, I loved that if I left Vera with her, I didn't have to worry. Oh, how I miss Dong Ayi! We've had three different ayis here in Xiamen, and are now ayi-less. Will anyone else ever compare?
The Brandts opened their home to us while we stayed in Tianjin. I was so thankful to have a safe place for Vera to play, as well as other kids to play with.
Hayden, do you want to play with this?
I've been searching for a stroller like this since we've gotten back. Vera loved it! She pushed it around with a doll in it, with toys in it, with nothing in it...
Yummy! Banana bread! Thank you, Aunt Cindy, for letting me eat some!
Hayden, I left some crumbs for you.
I was very excited to see our old ayi. She worked in our home a couple of days a week during the two years we lived in Tianjin. Several of us had taught her how to make western food, so twice a week someone else would cook good food for us! She was also very perceptive about what she could do around the house toe help us. But most of all, I loved that if I left Vera with her, I didn't have to worry. Oh, how I miss Dong Ayi! We've had three different ayis here in Xiamen, and are now ayi-less. Will anyone else ever compare?
The Brandts opened their home to us while we stayed in Tianjin. I was so thankful to have a safe place for Vera to play, as well as other kids to play with.
Hayden, do you want to play with this?
I've been searching for a stroller like this since we've gotten back. Vera loved it! She pushed it around with a doll in it, with toys in it, with nothing in it...
Yummy! Banana bread! Thank you, Aunt Cindy, for letting me eat some!
Hayden, I left some crumbs for you.
Beijing Pictures
We had the opportunity to spend some time in Beijing a couple of weeks ago. It was great to be able to get away for a few days and relax.
Vera and I spent a lot of time shopping for things we can't get in Xiamen, while Matt did a lot of touring with his boss and other coworkers. I decided not to do the touristy stuff. I didn't think a 1 1/2 year old would do very well climbing the Great Wall or walking through the enormous Forbidden City.
We went to a very cool restaurant one night. It was designed as the emperor would have had it during the Qing Dynasty. The dress, decorations, and entertainment all came from that time period.
Each dish was beautifully presented. Any guesses what this dish was?
Vera enjoyed feeding the doc.
We tried to get a good family picture, but Vera looks drunk in all of them! I wonder what the doc was feeding her!
Vera and I spent a lot of time shopping for things we can't get in Xiamen, while Matt did a lot of touring with his boss and other coworkers. I decided not to do the touristy stuff. I didn't think a 1 1/2 year old would do very well climbing the Great Wall or walking through the enormous Forbidden City.
We went to a very cool restaurant one night. It was designed as the emperor would have had it during the Qing Dynasty. The dress, decorations, and entertainment all came from that time period.
Each dish was beautifully presented. Any guesses what this dish was?
Vera enjoyed feeding the doc.
We tried to get a good family picture, but Vera looks drunk in all of them! I wonder what the doc was feeding her!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Vera's 1st Cousin!
Pete and Dahlia welcomed Maya Isabel Testa into the world on March 30. Now Vera's not the only grandchild! See any resemblance?
Vera
Maya
A true cousin... Already has a love for her Nuk Nuk!
Vera
Maya
A true cousin... Already has a love for her Nuk Nuk!
Weekend Fun
We had a really busy weekend! After the marathon, we rested then went to the Parette's for a company BBQ. The weather was absolutely beautiful all weekend long! On Saturday night Vera got some watermelon on her shirt, so after taking it off to rinse it out, she got to run around in her diaper. Even naked, she was sweaty!
After the cookout, I went to Anna's...
...for a haircut! Thank you Anna!
On Sunday afternoon we went back to the Parette's for a baby shower for Fujie. I met Fujie when we spent the summer of 2003 in Xiamen. It's been fun hanging out with her more now that we both have kids. Good thing I got that haircut...looks great, huh? It did before I pulled it back.
I hope Callie and Anna don't see this picture! It's the only one I had of baby Daniel, so I've got to post it!
The next few are some pics of Vera having a good time while the ladies chat.
She put the washers in the holes over and over and over and over... Couldn't get enough of that game!
Hey, Vera, where's you belly?
After the cookout, I went to Anna's...
...for a haircut! Thank you Anna!
On Sunday afternoon we went back to the Parette's for a baby shower for Fujie. I met Fujie when we spent the summer of 2003 in Xiamen. It's been fun hanging out with her more now that we both have kids. Good thing I got that haircut...looks great, huh? It did before I pulled it back.
I hope Callie and Anna don't see this picture! It's the only one I had of baby Daniel, so I've got to post it!
The next few are some pics of Vera having a good time while the ladies chat.
She put the washers in the holes over and over and over and over... Couldn't get enough of that game!
Hey, Vera, where's you belly?
Xiamen International Marathon
Each spring Xiamen has an international marathon. It's one of only two that are hosted in China each year. There is also a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. We had a few friends run some of these shorter distances. We had a great time spending the morning outside as a family.
We didn't want to wake up early to watch the start of the marathon, so instead we saw the end. We were just a few minutes too late to see the winning runners.
Vera gets lot of attention everywhere we go. It's "dangerous" to stop moving because people crowd around to see the foreign baby. The looks on their faces cracked us up. Everyone seems so happy to see her!
Everyone watching to see...
...if their team can climb the highest.
We didn't want to wake up early to watch the start of the marathon, so instead we saw the end. We were just a few minutes too late to see the winning runners.
Vera gets lot of attention everywhere we go. It's "dangerous" to stop moving because people crowd around to see the foreign baby. The looks on their faces cracked us up. Everyone seems so happy to see her!
Everyone watching to see...
...if their team can climb the highest.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Helping in the Kitchen
Vera loves it when I make tortillas because she gets to eat them too! This week, she sat down in our laundry basin to enjoy one while I made the rest.
We had chicken tacos this week instead of beef. They were so good! Here's the fantastic, VERY easy crockpot recipe we used.
1 pound chicken breasts
1 cup chicken broth
1 package taco seasoning
Cook 6-8 hours (though it only took about 4-5 hours for us). About an hour before it's done, stir it around so that the chicken breaks up into shreds.
Simple and yummy! For those of you who don't have to make taco shells and have the convenience of buying them at the store, total dinner prep time...maybe 15 minutes...
We had chicken tacos this week instead of beef. They were so good! Here's the fantastic, VERY easy crockpot recipe we used.
1 pound chicken breasts
1 cup chicken broth
1 package taco seasoning
Cook 6-8 hours (though it only took about 4-5 hours for us). About an hour before it's done, stir it around so that the chicken breaks up into shreds.
Simple and yummy! For those of you who don't have to make taco shells and have the convenience of buying them at the store, total dinner prep time...maybe 15 minutes...
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