tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367745612024-03-07T12:26:43.360-08:00Johnson Familytraceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-34561321397747394072008-11-23T20:24:00.000-08:002008-11-23T20:46:30.179-08:00Catching up...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsi-MXhIrid15nB_TwxpCPD9zQCAya1YSHJkgPtaETxg8IxT8vu67Cwmsd4BmvBLkRXTfo-h_Qur5gWLVFliyT41wMz6i5g-wxU-9qf7lzVX9AION949MPzSaAspLf4UK0LlQiQ/s1600-h/08+July+August+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272077419033446146" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsi-MXhIrid15nB_TwxpCPD9zQCAya1YSHJkgPtaETxg8IxT8vu67Cwmsd4BmvBLkRXTfo-h_Qur5gWLVFliyT41wMz6i5g-wxU-9qf7lzVX9AION949MPzSaAspLf4UK0LlQiQ/s200/08+July+August+046.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyVjhpouiAng0b1P4DYBLc5byetYGfSrBQNWGg0xkJqve2XcaoXByxox3uapgi3FOapIwZhP2QW-wKsEkxR9cyY8TEhVxeJUjJxzdVkSEhnNZbCwP-wHnywMmP2Wscqd8ONKldA/s1600-h/08+July+August+037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272077417222141442" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyVjhpouiAng0b1P4DYBLc5byetYGfSrBQNWGg0xkJqve2XcaoXByxox3uapgi3FOapIwZhP2QW-wKsEkxR9cyY8TEhVxeJUjJxzdVkSEhnNZbCwP-wHnywMmP2Wscqd8ONKldA/s200/08+July+August+037.jpg" border="0" /></a>Well, it has been a while since a post... this is some of what we have been up to.....<br /><br />For my birthday, Travis arranged for Bayard and me to go riding in the dunes at the coast! What a blast! It was just Bayard, his guide, me, and my guide. My guide had us careening around in the dunes! Many places the dunes were well above my head even on the horse-- it was georgeous and so. much. fun. I could do that all day, everyday. I do miss riding. We would go for a ride around and then meet back up with Bayard and his guide-- they were walking. We saw a male elk and around 3 females with a couple youngsters, a bunch of seals, birds...amazing. It was by far one of the best birthday gifts I have ever recieved. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmalbFWqO8ooezNRb_jxqG4ZAvaJASoqDMTWyospiG-F6Z83Q-muQKQzCByg9GevczqNf8py95D9O6uyfNW_r99dfjDkETgp1vmL3c2uDAfpHxthK_2n0Ur_DO-5v6uAX3jhpmg/s1600-h/08+July+August+061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272077425794511282" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmalbFWqO8ooezNRb_jxqG4ZAvaJASoqDMTWyospiG-F6Z83Q-muQKQzCByg9GevczqNf8py95D9O6uyfNW_r99dfjDkETgp1vmL3c2uDAfpHxthK_2n0Ur_DO-5v6uAX3jhpmg/s200/08+July+August+061.jpg" border="0" /></a>While Bayard and I rode around, Amelia, Travis, and Woobie played on the beach. This is Amelia flying her first kite. What a beautiful day! It is often gray at the Oregon coast...this was a perfect blue sky day. A fleece was still adviseable, but...a perfect August day!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNjCsH9GWHdDLE8XjOX2zKoJZmhdaw0ujO66o8Oeh1GMew05Sz4EeQZ3gH_bc117qkYroEkdPENxUkFp0k0Rak7Rv4oruaWiDhyphenhyphen8zqzKFWXLKpuVcnJ7dKl5-6wHFbWNJH1VY1Q/s1600-h/08+July+August+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272077409108600018" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNjCsH9GWHdDLE8XjOX2zKoJZmhdaw0ujO66o8Oeh1GMew05Sz4EeQZ3gH_bc117qkYroEkdPENxUkFp0k0Rak7Rv4oruaWiDhyphenhyphen8zqzKFWXLKpuVcnJ7dKl5-6wHFbWNJH1VY1Q/s200/08+July+August+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> In July, we spent a weekend at our friend's cabin on Puget Sound...this is Amelia playing down in the mud! A bald eagle was nesting in a tree right next to the cabin...and the barking of the seals woke Bayard and Travis up in the mornings (they slept snuggled in sleeping bags under the stars on the deck)! <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrPZftQjjfTt5MvPdY0jDLfiXTTjlhAcF8aNUShCUDmmvavSb4BIhl98jsKJB8lnGGk7cKoHUVCdDbb9oOzGrpeMeNcrdafLLn0QaJqLn9t76gmDHjgQKfSdaZiZKL0LiXk9TqA/s1600-h/P8150003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272077410335922018" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrPZftQjjfTt5MvPdY0jDLfiXTTjlhAcF8aNUShCUDmmvavSb4BIhl98jsKJB8lnGGk7cKoHUVCdDbb9oOzGrpeMeNcrdafLLn0QaJqLn9t76gmDHjgQKfSdaZiZKL0LiXk9TqA/s200/P8150003.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Amelia perched next to our campsite on Mt Adams. The weekend camping trip was great, except for the bugs! They were making meals of all of us! Yikes! A highlight of the trip was the ice cave! Amazing! <br /><br /><br /><div> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-26973502638223753882008-05-06T20:02:00.000-07:002008-05-06T20:19:11.983-07:00Marathon Man, sunshine, snow, hail, sunshine, rain, sunshine, rain....<div>Well, Spring is here, sort of. As is Portland Springtime.... the weather keeps you on your toes. Always a good idea to carry a fleece, at least until July. So, what have we been doing? Spending as much time outside as we can!! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaerIwS2wDc4gES0GdL-U80B3Dts4DzESeXk8MeDh-u-lghAI_4q0JkrS0Im5a3tIDXgE1iOZ7rICWAa4dweyrxTbEDMHtzRuOOEwiv12rdgzKm7VSnPx0fCSgMq7vutqQyGCypA/s1600-h/P5010024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197468509259884082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaerIwS2wDc4gES0GdL-U80B3Dts4DzESeXk8MeDh-u-lghAI_4q0JkrS0Im5a3tIDXgE1iOZ7rICWAa4dweyrxTbEDMHtzRuOOEwiv12rdgzKm7VSnPx0fCSgMq7vutqQyGCypA/s200/P5010024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>We spent this past weekend in Eugene! Yeah! We LOVE Eugene! Why were we there, oh, yeah, Travis ran his first Marathon!!!! Believe it or not, the volunteers in the Eugene Marathon (<a href="http://www.eugenemarathon.com/">www.eugenemarathon.com</a>) wore tie-die shirts. I know, shocking. We had a great time. Check out some of the pictures.... he finished in a bit over 4 hours. Not bad considering he has had bronchitis for the last month!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv9jckscsSFqlqxf42A2ue1jDucYfzjgMzS7N6YiaZrJKaxvMssD3Hq1SbMPbX3sb2IwlTXKm2XG2tx2Htw771kohV1y0YJLNl6woo2Z9c_ys_jcFfgVG3B7RemYSu3snnQYcpQ/s1600-h/P5030029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197468500669949458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv9jckscsSFqlqxf42A2ue1jDucYfzjgMzS7N6YiaZrJKaxvMssD3Hq1SbMPbX3sb2IwlTXKm2XG2tx2Htw771kohV1y0YJLNl6woo2Z9c_ys_jcFfgVG3B7RemYSu3snnQYcpQ/s200/P5030029.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU-ld3x4pF-szNliQ4BzrBwyRGYygmCa4pgeTaiJM48zp4d5-RkTVg4aLRxxLDLRWyA1tqW4ifasmOFDrnysaI_QDlcg-meuVjsY5snpbieuqCw8ITgEylkfJbi_nZopyzAqDvg/s1600-h/P5030043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197468504964916770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU-ld3x4pF-szNliQ4BzrBwyRGYygmCa4pgeTaiJM48zp4d5-RkTVg4aLRxxLDLRWyA1tqW4ifasmOFDrnysaI_QDlcg-meuVjsY5snpbieuqCw8ITgEylkfJbi_nZopyzAqDvg/s200/P5030043.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzgmCgvXVjTIb_r_YxvwdaID-7gt3Bpa1cHB3DvmQuUL4DwiKLW2ipFZM_XORpsFEeVIygn-Uo6spgWWY9S4avieqASk3c4emPlRurc_oIpNYPh8klzmJmycRi4rTIZakRfYZjA/s1600-h/P5030050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197468513554851394" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzgmCgvXVjTIb_r_YxvwdaID-7gt3Bpa1cHB3DvmQuUL4DwiKLW2ipFZM_XORpsFEeVIygn-Uo6spgWWY9S4avieqASk3c4emPlRurc_oIpNYPh8klzmJmycRi4rTIZakRfYZjA/s200/P5030050.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-52506292410545816892008-04-04T21:35:00.000-07:002008-04-04T21:54:16.118-07:002 kids, 1 dog, and 3 chickens....<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tymF7Wxu6G9mXfuU-v_0rnShMTGiZS9fMwYQas_V8gt8ki_Ygktwxd2SPW8xl-gDlRoIPkC8Ls9gBEEdW3JLCsu0ZbtaQN8frpV_pToQvBMM6lhiUMEVApIP_kDtgKTk86_hUg/s1600-h/P2220036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185618046001099986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tymF7Wxu6G9mXfuU-v_0rnShMTGiZS9fMwYQas_V8gt8ki_Ygktwxd2SPW8xl-gDlRoIPkC8Ls9gBEEdW3JLCsu0ZbtaQN8frpV_pToQvBMM6lhiUMEVApIP_kDtgKTk86_hUg/s200/P2220036.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ61889HlRgWEOI9CUCWCxsoVdvAtqX2PJ3IMGoccqP1TIDyZM0KEJuSKyogWcgybSiD_ECpqkyswYDuZTzSd-MTRxXgciqCLo5rX4rlKwCaqKYdBbIuN7ERlrCjC1xdCy16uRyw/s1600-h/P3220060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185618058886001922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ61889HlRgWEOI9CUCWCxsoVdvAtqX2PJ3IMGoccqP1TIDyZM0KEJuSKyogWcgybSiD_ECpqkyswYDuZTzSd-MTRxXgciqCLo5rX4rlKwCaqKYdBbIuN7ERlrCjC1xdCy16uRyw/s200/P3220060.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7GbO4gxihmQdMz07j0r_qWJtTzk_6fJ_ndR5W09dsuTITO0rb3zUOCiC32M-YvOQEsJuknvqgykyML_W79nrkV03HhjLGxkr0cpxw0JHCdNqSEahX_FpmTMlJyASEVSzR6I31Q/s1600-h/P2220033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185618050296067298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7GbO4gxihmQdMz07j0r_qWJtTzk_6fJ_ndR5W09dsuTITO0rb3zUOCiC32M-YvOQEsJuknvqgykyML_W79nrkV03HhjLGxkr0cpxw0JHCdNqSEahX_FpmTMlJyASEVSzR6I31Q/s200/P2220033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Yes, we have 3 chickens. Just call us Urban Farmers. That is just one of the many exciting events since my last post in NOVEMBER!! Goodness. Time does just melt on by doesn't it? Well, since November we have almost completed a remodel project -- new kitchen (WAHOO!!!), and finishing the basement (the guys dug out 4 dumpster loads of dirt and rock to make the ceilings a decent height, poured a new floor along with some footings for our house that for the last 80 years has NOT HAD FOOTINGS!!!, and framed up and finished a family room, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, mechanical room, and storage room!) We are on week 12 and only have a few details left.... we are loving the new space and really enjoying our updated kitchen. I would put pictures in, but... I'd rather show off how much Amelia and Bayard have grown! They turned 5 and 2 in February-- WOW! So, here are a few pictures of them.... I will save pictures of the chickens (Pearl, Flossy, and Mambo) for another time.... </div><div> </div><div>Perfection can seriously delay a blog post...so, I am going to forgo trying to make this post more interesting, creative, or even visually pleasing... and just POST IT!! So, hope you all enjoy the pictures... keep checking back, I am going to try to get back to a monthly post.... </div><div> </div><div>happy spring!!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfynopDNcxlF2mV-ez7D7I_SKBNNMYVTbvZq3BQhsXjKpJXNw5Ols8kTDOCoys0V__C-elsbAsdGRiH__QcVjhwGmNUIWJsfn32y2wblWmI6M-VR82jEZAI3sDcP-8jG0619wrg/s1600-h/P3310098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185618703131096338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfynopDNcxlF2mV-ez7D7I_SKBNNMYVTbvZq3BQhsXjKpJXNw5Ols8kTDOCoys0V__C-elsbAsdGRiH__QcVjhwGmNUIWJsfn32y2wblWmI6M-VR82jEZAI3sDcP-8jG0619wrg/s200/P3310098.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6snw1wv5euLeNAaaZsspvyVMzDBQ-OPExOwmz02RxN8DQu8yo05E8jaSZ5CFHK-IeDeQyUBaPQfRbKJFC9FDgIPMdJCthavG7vNfzTYmiYWovDedEm4p8zKrZ3-2GelxATGqpg/s1600-h/P3310101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185618716015998242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6snw1wv5euLeNAaaZsspvyVMzDBQ-OPExOwmz02RxN8DQu8yo05E8jaSZ5CFHK-IeDeQyUBaPQfRbKJFC9FDgIPMdJCthavG7vNfzTYmiYWovDedEm4p8zKrZ3-2GelxATGqpg/s200/P3310101.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ337izFCYVlLsSimKKyfizDTX3Hf4GHSZzI-xDSmCfwgW8NFA9UvjTYjghUEbSkt7GMxSNDcuywRHfTBr1ORCjXuZLzmDeRIOMydHqc5j9xyX84O-uw0yQdx5QM4T7j4CBfEwA/s1600-h/P3040041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185618054591034610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ337izFCYVlLsSimKKyfizDTX3Hf4GHSZzI-xDSmCfwgW8NFA9UvjTYjghUEbSkt7GMxSNDcuywRHfTBr1ORCjXuZLzmDeRIOMydHqc5j9xyX84O-uw0yQdx5QM4T7j4CBfEwA/s200/P3040041.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-75549420098200989352007-11-01T13:17:00.000-07:002007-11-05T19:15:12.944-08:00One year ago today.....<div><br /><br /><div>One year ago today we were on a plane flying to China to meet Chen Fu Wang, soon to be Amelia Fu Wang Johnson. The pictures below are of Amelia's referral picture (the first picture we got of her before we went to China - she was about 4 months old there), <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129559978510170402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt4uj85d8K79-8KICjezHZfmqY6got461H4eoVDg0P9hYhAo3d0CnlsDyUaqagv1apf_dpCzRiBeQwiQUbLJQH8_0q9440ws35Dobo-h4I4RnCVD5r-5VnOSBYMai6cCLUZV0sQ/s200/oct.07+madison+038.jpg" border="0" />the next pictures are of Amelia in October while we were in Florida.) What a difference a year and a family make! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-54YzjoYtZs8amwJp253A7LmfRXfeQ7hsleQLITJcmYipLPDbZKosJJRlCd9n_kj4AXqY33CildGOFkVWhy5CylTIl8A38QAF2WzwaBVthyphenhyphenVRTdm2Eu-UBGWtkJFz9wJnnr7How/s1600-h/sept.oct07+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129559493178865938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-54YzjoYtZs8amwJp253A7LmfRXfeQ7hsleQLITJcmYipLPDbZKosJJRlCd9n_kj4AXqY33CildGOFkVWhy5CylTIl8A38QAF2WzwaBVthyphenhyphenVRTdm2Eu-UBGWtkJFz9wJnnr7How/s200/sept.oct07+059.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstMEg4zUMB3zhTDA0Mn_0Cp57x1ExzxCff39FFT0PLEWEBqUCG-uSkxGviIIINQt6hnCuDOc_CkHVJPvsVdsYy5ugUIxJ_SQfLTegRf6GDOULrr57waWOIJP5oX-lTEDmKuPYgA/s1600-h/John092606++++++001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127976428363102450" style="CURSOR: hand" height="199" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstMEg4zUMB3zhTDA0Mn_0Cp57x1ExzxCff39FFT0PLEWEBqUCG-uSkxGviIIINQt6hnCuDOc_CkHVJPvsVdsYy5ugUIxJ_SQfLTegRf6GDOULrr57waWOIJP5oX-lTEDmKuPYgA/s200/John092606++++++001.jpg" width="139" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWQioAFRfttOsmL4R_4qtkrNCQ1TlwBVEJf9a11AI55_5rjZXbnmL_P7Gy0f7PEJcpjPZeCKja4J2AG3M_t5hFfL70ZW67EA8C7omzMDoqiDT3tbug3iUyljyD0KxzDPGFOjEsw/s1600-h/PICT0048.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>In some ways it is hard to believe it was an entire year ago. In other ways it seems like a lifetime ago. Lots of changes in the past year.... we grew from a happy family of 3 to a complete family of 4, Bayard gained a sister and became a big brother, we stopped working our family around my job and started working my job around our family when I took the leap to private practice (<a href="http://www.practicalparenting2.blogspot.com/">http://www.practicalparenting2.blogspot.com/</a>) and left my "regular" job... wow, in writing that just doesn't seem like that much. Living it feels much different! Life feels different than it did. Richer. The biggest changes are in Amelia....</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We met a confused, sad, mad, grieving, cautious, tenatious, strong baby in China. That baby has grown into a confident, silly, funny, bright, joyful, little girl who continues to show that same tenacity and strength in everything she does! She is such a part of the fabric of our family that it is difficult to imagine us without her. She asks for a hug and then just leaps into your arms and wraps herself around you with a giggle that seems to come from her whole body as she says "Mommy!" and just today "yuv you!" I love you too Amelia.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Monday, November 5th, we will celebrate Family Day, as that is the anniversary of the day we gained a daugter and a sister, and Amelia gained a mom, a dad, and a brother. That long, almost 2 year, wait was worth every second and then some. </div></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-60385601486227212522007-10-09T12:00:00.000-07:002007-10-12T12:02:53.197-07:00sabbatical!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqixlUS6tknqaK6EkoKkCdI0g-N0T_4qiDFGGntjTrqS-ZIgiRsTImOI0MROPLUDJMXaZYN9aH3Z8-bvEnJ0ypka_vbfON__C8XUxW8FmfMM0OFaIiAdcxIv2on5Y52if-TKBZQ/s1600-h/sept.oct07+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120521193495762018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqixlUS6tknqaK6EkoKkCdI0g-N0T_4qiDFGGntjTrqS-ZIgiRsTImOI0MROPLUDJMXaZYN9aH3Z8-bvEnJ0ypka_vbfON__C8XUxW8FmfMM0OFaIiAdcxIv2on5Y52if-TKBZQ/s200/sept.oct07+059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfrphBoO3s35nQCU-aXsA4r1AO5ICWj5_kLGwuY1VwC39YaMr_dVwTn5hRtH-Jes0-hnnH29sQnWtOlNB2mTmOpDbcGOtCqLcmfhbj6Jn37XU_I1TKbbkLv50JW5L0eYyDxddvA/s1600-h/sept.oct07+087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120521966589875314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfrphBoO3s35nQCU-aXsA4r1AO5ICWj5_kLGwuY1VwC39YaMr_dVwTn5hRtH-Jes0-hnnH29sQnWtOlNB2mTmOpDbcGOtCqLcmfhbj6Jn37XU_I1TKbbkLv50JW5L0eYyDxddvA/s200/sept.oct07+087.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120523474123396290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPcBIoNkBuW8FRA4eI8U4FfQkJgRi3SWNfR1DMvOjxFikdn6QvXvolQtxXtG7RamD2tgMQyVbSK8LDpBpYnPDPqZ9OQvFY5fRnO9ARAe-sWRUksOF-OZVihci514bQ-w0BpBcGA/s200/sept.oct07+094.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well, we are well into our 2 month sabbatical. For those of you who are not aware, Travis has had Sept and Oct off -- a perk of reaching 7 years at Intel. We spent Sept hanging out at home, taking some little trips and just enjoying some extended family down time. Then, we headed off to Florida Oct 2 for some extended beach time! So, here we are, looking out at the warm (85 and sunny!!) ocean from Nana and Grandpa's beach condo -- yeah, times are tough.<br /></div><div>Our friends the Thurmonds came down from Atlanta to see us for a few days--- they have 2 kids, Jack (4) and Ella (2). Jack and Bayard had fun "riding the waves" --</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120523465533461682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxk5mOc83n7FvntKl4ZaVPCHsJH72F0Qk0bcxipKgRG2_J5bM48pDHz4-QZxH3NJWP4Clejg2C-6HYiw_kmgcauV6I1ZJyynvqPV5st6qI7mSsNMpPc1DZZCSAJBTLSUg_ftkhcw/s200/sept.oct07+078.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeUm0czHWLFQAHautDlI9aaCSrr05-xSZK-0gDHjsQCAS36W07Np7FDULXyGrjQZx2_xQVUcdsIKkiWltFXndLe6wTx_NMDBWGj5xEO3rKI8QTWO4UVYtACtmyjUD1OKlaS_OcA/s1600-h/sept.oct07+074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120521970884842626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeUm0czHWLFQAHautDlI9aaCSrr05-xSZK-0gDHjsQCAS36W07Np7FDULXyGrjQZx2_xQVUcdsIKkiWltFXndLe6wTx_NMDBWGj5xEO3rKI8QTWO4UVYtACtmyjUD1OKlaS_OcA/s200/sept.oct07+074.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Bayard has discovered boogie boarding and is LOVING the ocean! The warm florida water and sunny blue skies have been perfect for playing on the beach every day. Amelia has warmed up to the idea of the water-- she really enjoys when the tide is out and the "rivers" appear on the beach! We will try to put some video of that on you-tube -- check back in for that!<br /><br /></div><div>We went to St Augustine (a less than an hour drive from here) this week and explored the old Fort that is there as well as the Alligator Farm-- WHOA! The Alligator farm was fantastic! </div><div><a href="http://www.alligatorfarm.com/">http://www.alligatorfarm.com/</a></div><div>Alligators, Crocodiles, Turtles, and birds and primates from all over the world! If you are ever in St Augustine, make sure you put this attraction on your list! </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120525784815801554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQjxYZ6evAqkiAxch4-MiwmC2WJwO2SwMITK_j4S4JWcdUcs3zuT0ZG1pqx8y4qYAGffcSsZA3Ypu2BJ0Vr1KjlN3yYvUhV_4et_-rDY4N0xfd_j8ZiKHh7msM8lC4lb0Ll_pFg/s200/oct+07+alligator+farm+and+adventure+island+001.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><br /><div>Today, we went to an adventure park ... mini-golf, and go-carts... what could be more fun? </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120525789110768866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJIO7oywK-1lZ1NJmbkckDSX1esKt4atofw6KASPssRyamIlzUU7ZEqGQL-g2lhxWMY0zP2O8nv1ri7BkXyHW-imk9QNRShmXz45f-YaFb7iHa5ox036PwLojsbofgRgMHh0JNw/s200/oct+07+alligator+farm+and+adventure+island+025.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Travis, Bayard, and Grandpa are heading to the Jaguars game on Sunday <a href="http://www.jaguars.com/">http://www.jaguars.com/</a></div><div>and then we are heading out to Grandpa and Nana's farm in Madison, Florida next week for a few days of tractor riding, porch naps, and just good ol' hanging out on the farm. <a href="http://www.madisonfla.com/">http://www.madisonfla.com/</a></div><div> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>That is is for now... the beach is calling.....</div></div></div></div></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-5913995642341776922007-09-16T12:26:00.000-07:002007-09-16T12:54:44.816-07:00September already!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxe3Yjcg7tpnHiSG7FEljHtHtBmR_rAaNZvhsTMAlfUWRcGLJxP5d8ft9T1puHMRfw-CiNg4-X_rmRsAf29HtNYhrEe00ZUGciW8HKL6OFYY6L_gugmX_Yom06a832jjg0stX-Q/s1600-h/PICT0045.JPG"></a> Time does fly, particularly in the summer! Fall weather has hit Portland, it is cool and damp outside. Enjoyable really. Travis started his sabbatical at the beginning of the month and we have been enjoying some nice family hang out time. He is off work until the end of October! Wahoo!! We head to Florida for some extended family and friends hang out time as well as a jaunt over to Disney.... Bayard is beside himself with excitement about that upcoming adventure! We are all looking forward to some beach time and more relaxing.... <div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb8YU-Sr0e5g3I-bvwFq7QwVDNAZWx9Bg1Dy__R1iJEK4_gF5XoXSidIDMA8U4NH89DrFme1oTxMOxN8EgOFuYrapkSL6_pVSu1s6o9_O_eQKgPnYfAfnOiY0Ir3CCQFgN8ChHg/s1600-h/PICT0093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110890117481379634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb8YU-Sr0e5g3I-bvwFq7QwVDNAZWx9Bg1Dy__R1iJEK4_gF5XoXSidIDMA8U4NH89DrFme1oTxMOxN8EgOFuYrapkSL6_pVSu1s6o9_O_eQKgPnYfAfnOiY0Ir3CCQFgN8ChHg/s200/PICT0093.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well, for some reason the blog won't let me put anymore pictures up, so, I am off for now. More to come!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We had some excitement last weekend when Amelia had her first ER visit... she has decided that she no longer wants to go down the stairs "<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmaQAA4wYIo28M-Blx8lLAVhhk8p1KTAX3401N-IXNK4d8cZBztyblNlCGCuyfh_Ev4u1Pm3kOfGVcmU1CNe2dVxqHa_QraclSEbo5CSQWgVWRL7Y2-d3GBJdFIFwGBhvk71bkA/s1600-h/PICT0034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110888154681325314" style="WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmaQAA4wYIo28M-Blx8lLAVhhk8p1KTAX3401N-IXNK4d8cZBztyblNlCGCuyfh_Ev4u1Pm3kOfGVcmU1CNe2dVxqHa_QraclSEbo5CSQWgVWRL7Y2-d3GBJdFIFwGBhvk71bkA/s200/PICT0034.JPG" width="272" border="0" /></a>feet first" or backwards, but only wants to tackle the stairs big girl style!! Natural consequences.... a tumble down the basement stairs with the metal edges on them equal a split lip needing 3 stitches!! OUCH!! We have a wonderful children's ER close by -- we were actually in and out of there in one hour!! Unheard of really. She was a trooper. The stitches are out and she has a tiny scar which will likely fade and leave only the story to tell. Big brother was worried about her and was incredibly helpful and empathetic -- they are pretty cute together.<br /></div><div>The pictures are just some random ones from the summer. Both kids enjoy some dress up....capes, wizard garb, cowboy/girl, girly dresses, hats of all kinds, etc. Amelia LOVES to change her clothes and then say "mirror, mirror" and go twirl around in front of the mirror and check herself out!! Funny! They spent about 45 minutes upstairs this morning with a clothes basket pretending they were driving in a boat on some adventure. Amelia loves to do whatever Bayard is doing and he is generally really patient with her and finds a way to incorporate her into what he is doing. He really enjoys when she will play with him in one of his imaginary adventure scenarios, of which there are MANY!!!! It is fun to see them getting to be friends. Bayard said the other day "Mom, I think I love Amelia more than anyone else in the family. I just really really love her." And you can see it in the way he treats her. They still have thier moments, but, for the most part, it is great. And it is fun to think of how that relationship will grow as they get older. Good stuff. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110888601357924114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS1wd_vMQRm7MiCwuRRFVfFyQtUnuJMeWtbsNupNBKqlvPSi4ZxOrIi_aD47ITXQr3DCscSOcrRI5Uvb_PHFnJHM9GtH5LDX5avwpnS__zDrXdnSGSwpnxyOSpJHaEq8f03yoCQ/s200/Wizard.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-12611237604285657172007-07-18T12:47:00.000-07:002007-07-18T13:12:58.637-07:00Camping, pirates, and fond farewells....<p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OV48d61ap2MfvQefc2lE7Oda618IeElHUzD1tkx17pXZufWKf5iH8iGbzfjofaYPGZk3HLX9taMzw7GdzJNN20n-e0Le4gCsZpXlthyphenhyphenM-rjQTJxOFnwpPBLDQFWzT6_xnZaNGA/s1600-h/2007+summer+142.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088628404841500626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OV48d61ap2MfvQefc2lE7Oda618IeElHUzD1tkx17pXZufWKf5iH8iGbzfjofaYPGZk3HLX9taMzw7GdzJNN20n-e0Le4gCsZpXlthyphenhyphenM-rjQTJxOFnwpPBLDQFWzT6_xnZaNGA/s200/2007+summer+142.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamiUxRi0zbSijgkqKldvRqq8Qy0SFe7aUkuH4y5R26QJsCvfgUHABtJ5WAp026G_CxsfL08XxcQp6vW9TjZai9FljN51-6_Vl_TlEPvVPRMKN2RucWtKfRPZ4fk1-d2_WNEfVig/s1600-h/2007+summer+203.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPMUy82QdLzV9hUhhyphenhyphenwXOcvujv_JVITtWV_riid0LIDE0-I9n-8iE_mlccl6771jIU5XTWhvxpN8X74Ja_bGUVE_NKSj0aB-QGQw-N0k627qhA0a-eZcYtUhJNmt2bsJUaoHDsA/s1600-h/2007+summer+144.jpg"></a>At the beginning of this month, we went camping at the Oregon coast with our friends the Steiner-Beenes. They have 2 kids, Max (5) and Beckett (3). We were celebrating both Max's 5th birthday as well as getting a chance to hang out before their family moves to China for 2 years! WOW! Well, we had a great time... and Wendy took some FANTASTIC pictures!! Here are just a few.....<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotm-ODGeVLeZXQsJ8gY34igPJAVz6WfrnQrB4vsmVXSMS6fGsSUtGTsnB9R-DXytM31vLp4d3iQ_GABkav9kV0TLgL8daBGiNZwIK1MQHL6UORelYXxA5DVtfMjb1Ckkx4ETuHQ/s1600-h/2007+summer+132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088628409136467938" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotm-ODGeVLeZXQsJ8gY34igPJAVz6WfrnQrB4vsmVXSMS6fGsSUtGTsnB9R-DXytM31vLp4d3iQ_GABkav9kV0TLgL8daBGiNZwIK1MQHL6UORelYXxA5DVtfMjb1Ckkx4ETuHQ/s200/2007+summer+132.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="right">The boys found a big tree that had been washed up on shore... it was quickly turned into a pirate ship and a flag was placed on it thanks to Wendy's forethought and creativity (she brought a Sharpie and a pillowcase for just that purpose!)...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCldYAu69ll6ygZ3zogDScrqv_MtqmWmrd4fO1a3cYyuBFFeDNR8Uy6X_f_vGYq_a-1rWBOF__IC5hE70nwBQDrU958lyH1B5Pods8fNBA_FJaOkX0jsrt4cNZgN0vLrf38nGJ7Q/s1600-h/2007+summer+196.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088627507193335714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCldYAu69ll6ygZ3zogDScrqv_MtqmWmrd4fO1a3cYyuBFFeDNR8Uy6X_f_vGYq_a-1rWBOF__IC5hE70nwBQDrU958lyH1B5Pods8fNBA_FJaOkX0jsrt4cNZgN0vLrf38nGJ7Q/s200/2007+summer+196.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamiUxRi0zbSijgkqKldvRqq8Qy0SFe7aUkuH4y5R26QJsCvfgUHABtJ5WAp026G_CxsfL08XxcQp6vW9TjZai9FljN51-6_Vl_TlEPvVPRMKN2RucWtKfRPZ4fk1-d2_WNEfVig/s1600-h/2007+summer+203.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088627769186340786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamiUxRi0zbSijgkqKldvRqq8Qy0SFe7aUkuH4y5R26QJsCvfgUHABtJ5WAp026G_CxsfL08XxcQp6vW9TjZai9FljN51-6_Vl_TlEPvVPRMKN2RucWtKfRPZ4fk1-d2_WNEfVig/s200/2007+summer+203.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9grBkj0i4X6rQNj0qdIa9Eika-vJB7BFJ24Yt8dp4NcE0jjDJxSl1VU2VPCVADgKj3lvixMZOXLsHVcT7KV3HaoisRPXrpeoxviUfn04Sz3Tus6NeRNOxXxWO33M1gDbSsFyPA/s1600-h/2007+summer+212.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088628396251566018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9grBkj0i4X6rQNj0qdIa9Eika-vJB7BFJ24Yt8dp4NcE0jjDJxSl1VU2VPCVADgKj3lvixMZOXLsHVcT7KV3HaoisRPXrpeoxviUfn04Sz3Tus6NeRNOxXxWO33M1gDbSsFyPA/s200/2007+summer+212.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamiUxRi0zbSijgkqKldvRqq8Qy0SFe7aUkuH4y5R26QJsCvfgUHABtJ5WAp026G_CxsfL08XxcQp6vW9TjZai9FljN51-6_Vl_TlEPvVPRMKN2RucWtKfRPZ4fk1-d2_WNEfVig/s1600-h/2007+summer+203.jpg"></a> </div><div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPMUy82QdLzV9hUhhyphenhyphenwXOcvujv_JVITtWV_riid0LIDE0-I9n-8iE_mlccl6771jIU5XTWhvxpN8X74Ja_bGUVE_NKSj0aB-QGQw-N0k627qhA0a-eZcYtUhJNmt2bsJUaoHDsA/s1600-h/2007+summer+144.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088628417726402546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPMUy82QdLzV9hUhhyphenhyphenwXOcvujv_JVITtWV_riid0LIDE0-I9n-8iE_mlccl6771jIU5XTWhvxpN8X74Ja_bGUVE_NKSj0aB-QGQw-N0k627qhA0a-eZcYtUhJNmt2bsJUaoHDsA/s200/2007+summer+144.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>The weather can be unpredictable here at the coast. Even in summer, a nice warm fleece comes in handy. We were so lucky. The sand was warm, the sun was shining through an amazingly blue sky, and the wind was blowing just enough to keep the kite up and the pirate flag flying. Amelia played the role of "monster" as in "oh, no, here comes the monster to knock down the castle!" She worked to keep up with the boys, but was also happy to make her own adventures. </div><div> </div><div>We had a wonderfully relaxing weekend just hanging out. Farewell Steiner-Beenes! We will miss you! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamiUxRi0zbSijgkqKldvRqq8Qy0SFe7aUkuH4y5R26QJsCvfgUHABtJ5WAp026G_CxsfL08XxcQp6vW9TjZai9FljN51-6_Vl_TlEPvVPRMKN2RucWtKfRPZ4fk1-d2_WNEfVig/s1600-h/2007+summer+203.jpg"></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamiUxRi0zbSijgkqKldvRqq8Qy0SFe7aUkuH4y5R26QJsCvfgUHABtJ5WAp026G_CxsfL08XxcQp6vW9TjZai9FljN51-6_Vl_TlEPvVPRMKN2RucWtKfRPZ4fk1-d2_WNEfVig/s1600-h/2007+summer+203.jpg"></a> </div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-23379470959858726942007-06-27T14:59:00.000-07:002007-06-27T15:03:03.279-07:00Happy girl!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z3Jnf5xCd64xhIt77XdggtZgBro06n7sLhzfSX-089vsH0XQvQhoSS7wQtqH_YNxJc0nIpGFSe_QBvNi3PxI0q8c-DCESqKrqWZcpFmYvfUw8Wikc36f73MRXoNisIF64q6WlQ/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080867880864998914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z3Jnf5xCd64xhIt77XdggtZgBro06n7sLhzfSX-089vsH0XQvQhoSS7wQtqH_YNxJc0nIpGFSe_QBvNi3PxI0q8c-DCESqKrqWZcpFmYvfUw8Wikc36f73MRXoNisIF64q6WlQ/s200/PICT0004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEix_bTsRVO9ja_TMsBtQPiH8OZh2H6OdTimbAH1V4fmbvSC5iALFC7uK9Qlz61C9_xTFBQKWGUwLB_MgcIBG7PqHkbw7QbsBJgp-eN7_d09LAmvduVk74FcpW-24CsWEkRmKuAw/s1600-h/PICT0005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080867885159966226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEix_bTsRVO9ja_TMsBtQPiH8OZh2H6OdTimbAH1V4fmbvSC5iALFC7uK9Qlz61C9_xTFBQKWGUwLB_MgcIBG7PqHkbw7QbsBJgp-eN7_d09LAmvduVk74FcpW-24CsWEkRmKuAw/s200/PICT0005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKxQ1FdATmXmk3BujXnp4gCwjNq7pze76EuaikFAMBsrP6O8erMLbCHSJnBnv0HcTLg1pFrdUJLdkGdl2a6v9a9rqiY_avvrcTQg7moCyVXe6zNaYex29OINMWu0IKCKpszff5Q/s1600-h/PICT0006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080867889454933538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKxQ1FdATmXmk3BujXnp4gCwjNq7pze76EuaikFAMBsrP6O8erMLbCHSJnBnv0HcTLg1pFrdUJLdkGdl2a6v9a9rqiY_avvrcTQg7moCyVXe6zNaYex29OINMWu0IKCKpszff5Q/s200/PICT0006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMmmkbIb4mO2EdIGOYVyNuauCVHpg7N6UYz7L6FjQvcTWIEYOfJcUUzj4HK2WoCqVFUPY1L0d1K5vWZqY_qPLHpEDQMTijAyZe_LEEz6tRszYPA3BpG8nYq8tdQLZnTtabRQhcQ/s1600-h/PICT0007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080867893749900850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMmmkbIb4mO2EdIGOYVyNuauCVHpg7N6UYz7L6FjQvcTWIEYOfJcUUzj4HK2WoCqVFUPY1L0d1K5vWZqY_qPLHpEDQMTijAyZe_LEEz6tRszYPA3BpG8nYq8tdQLZnTtabRQhcQ/s200/PICT0007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZlGrNifMKy1ThnGnBD0QdcKIJihyQrTZotcQ_aJCX6JAIsyiHBuQtzPFL2qm2deTBMFCbK3jNhcyNSjqCbFQnaE9fsc0SCgeX2mFMlnQRM8dkvWtTmw8cPvU86WlgUXOhjKqig/s1600-h/PICT0008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080867898044868162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZlGrNifMKy1ThnGnBD0QdcKIJihyQrTZotcQ_aJCX6JAIsyiHBuQtzPFL2qm2deTBMFCbK3jNhcyNSjqCbFQnaE9fsc0SCgeX2mFMlnQRM8dkvWtTmw8cPvU86WlgUXOhjKqig/s200/PICT0008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">A few pictures of Amelia after she woke up from her nap today.....</span></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-81231649418425762602007-06-12T19:58:00.000-07:002007-06-13T20:56:38.961-07:00The Rose Festival!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYnKr0vvXK4Z0gNdEAPHMgTRrHKEEXI6D08gxeSsTM3BGS5BVmTMKeFQxcMK38zECBATM6__dFGlxywki3-viQjo96w7bOQlq7goYNrMNMUKQNb6v18aWct0dvA_mgiWPW_WayQ/s1600-h/PICT0026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075760073322991170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYnKr0vvXK4Z0gNdEAPHMgTRrHKEEXI6D08gxeSsTM3BGS5BVmTMKeFQxcMK38zECBATM6__dFGlxywki3-viQjo96w7bOQlq7goYNrMNMUKQNb6v18aWct0dvA_mgiWPW_WayQ/s200/PICT0026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The Portland Rose Festival (<a href="http://www.rosefestival.org/">www.rosefestival.org/</a>) was this weekend. As usual, it was spitting rain on and off all day, but, as true NW transplants, that didn't stop us.....<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Bayard has been asking about cotton candy and carnivals for MONTHS! So, we hopped on the MAX and headed downtown to the waterfront. We took a good long look at the HUGE ships (thanks to homeland security Bayard now knows what a machine gun looks like-- do we really need that level of protection for that boat? anyway....). Then we headed on down the way to the rides, games, etc.... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtvEsDjuRj1B9M0yqFS0vl_K9MTCc1GjilxoLGNEJBDasB4SusPyl33zs6lLAhsNlkHMXxsvFYvsJcn_kzN5KuWACEf1qeyO6jZTQNj6eybUckGh7G3EkoH9EgT5sSLAV6vGeWw/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075380282249907714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtvEsDjuRj1B9M0yqFS0vl_K9MTCc1GjilxoLGNEJBDasB4SusPyl33zs6lLAhsNlkHMXxsvFYvsJcn_kzN5KuWACEf1qeyO6jZTQNj6eybUckGh7G3EkoH9EgT5sSLAV6vGeWw/s200/PICT0004.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSy4CydrP5eZQcZ6PLLey_aCL-X_3KA5nCid73fV2o64TCy5zQbveK_ZWvg8zmv5q2n4oDZP_BdBYHy88Cj-Fbuo6QK5kZnmAJOUs7esjJOMF6RmQ1578iwVcLOcwgmM-qj8UWA/s1600-h/PICT0011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075380286544875026" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSy4CydrP5eZQcZ6PLLey_aCL-X_3KA5nCid73fV2o64TCy5zQbveK_ZWvg8zmv5q2n4oDZP_BdBYHy88Cj-Fbuo6QK5kZnmAJOUs7esjJOMF6RmQ1578iwVcLOcwgmM-qj8UWA/s200/PICT0011.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvff57iPaRJwFF2mQcVkamd4t_UWgy21RT82QtNf6I2XS1dVSndgHi5y54nsrd2RN_7bFjrGkwIwtrhYJXZjrY5RaC_8MuXQ-rWLPs-Y3WCC7P2odfIZaFJ7sB1TUHA-qRgImeZA/s1600-h/PICT0001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075380277954940402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvff57iPaRJwFF2mQcVkamd4t_UWgy21RT82QtNf6I2XS1dVSndgHi5y54nsrd2RN_7bFjrGkwIwtrhYJXZjrY5RaC_8MuXQ-rWLPs-Y3WCC7P2odfIZaFJ7sB1TUHA-qRgImeZA/s200/PICT0001.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtvEsDjuRj1B9M0yqFS0vl_K9MTCc1GjilxoLGNEJBDasB4SusPyl33zs6lLAhsNlkHMXxsvFYvsJcn_kzN5KuWACEf1qeyO6jZTQNj6eybUckGh7G3EkoH9EgT5sSLAV6vGeWw/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSy4CydrP5eZQcZ6PLLey_aCL-X_3KA5nCid73fV2o64TCy5zQbveK_ZWvg8zmv5q2n4oDZP_BdBYHy88Cj-Fbuo6QK5kZnmAJOUs7esjJOMF6RmQ1578iwVcLOcwgmM-qj8UWA/s1600-h/PICT0011.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Bayard was SUPER excited that he was tall enough to ride a good number of the rides....and Travis was SUPER excited that one of those rides was the swings! <div><br /></div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtvEsDjuRj1B9M0yqFS0vl_K9MTCc1GjilxoLGNEJBDasB4SusPyl33zs6lLAhsNlkHMXxsvFYvsJcn_kzN5KuWACEf1qeyO6jZTQNj6eybUckGh7G3EkoH9EgT5sSLAV6vGeWw/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_MIMqpYuk4v319LdlfwDFzU_On-jk7VQas3G-gZ-Wy6NcO19SG4CFc6f7_bvDc8YOgNcoDiT4YY5Bjy9ThD0N2piM-oBy_AeKTfgR5tS_VxyxkEir4pHYkJ6Ez3_Vt8QxXcsvg/s1600-h/PICT0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075760064733056562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_MIMqpYuk4v319LdlfwDFzU_On-jk7VQas3G-gZ-Wy6NcO19SG4CFc6f7_bvDc8YOgNcoDiT4YY5Bjy9ThD0N2piM-oBy_AeKTfgR5tS_VxyxkEir4pHYkJ6Ez3_Vt8QxXcsvg/s200/PICT0019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>As for me, I left the dramamine at home, so Amelia and I did a lot of watching and picture taking.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtvEsDjuRj1B9M0yqFS0vl_K9MTCc1GjilxoLGNEJBDasB4SusPyl33zs6lLAhsNlkHMXxsvFYvsJcn_kzN5KuWACEf1qeyO6jZTQNj6eybUckGh7G3EkoH9EgT5sSLAV6vGeWw/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXRO9jY1XASkXkLFegjSOgjuligPWGdv8vHAvQa1NOeG5CO5Monub3FQVsObV9_KiFl_YdqMuzW9BOnkq0EzNKxiFeBgjo_DYf7vB-yua-tcPGmEDhmWc5eMFVvY6p-65fWcl0A/s1600-h/PICT0017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075760056143121954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXRO9jY1XASkXkLFegjSOgjuligPWGdv8vHAvQa1NOeG5CO5Monub3FQVsObV9_KiFl_YdqMuzW9BOnkq0EzNKxiFeBgjo_DYf7vB-yua-tcPGmEDhmWc5eMFVvY6p-65fWcl0A/s200/PICT0017.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXRO9jY1XASkXkLFegjSOgjuligPWGdv8vHAvQa1NOeG5CO5Monub3FQVsObV9_KiFl_YdqMuzW9BOnkq0EzNKxiFeBgjo_DYf7vB-yua-tcPGmEDhmWc5eMFVvY6p-65fWcl0A/s1600-h/PICT0017.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACmSKWI4AukrvBs6RP9nshyfxC496IUr6iLdnh8umEN5aXyVDSb09mpKij1BlelaSSitdITkn4jAaYxviZZw-VfF7zLh6brZlOa0O2bnbvqvkYsuP3Qn6yWMXHO3KgQtZ-zextw/s1600-h/PICT0038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075760081912925794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACmSKWI4AukrvBs6RP9nshyfxC496IUr6iLdnh8umEN5aXyVDSb09mpKij1BlelaSSitdITkn4jAaYxviZZw-VfF7zLh6brZlOa0O2bnbvqvkYsuP3Qn6yWMXHO3KgQtZ-zextw/s200/PICT0038.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Bayard was not too keen on the idea of a pony ride, but he was gung-ho for the bungie-type jump! The lady kept asking him if he wanted to go higher and he just kept saying "YES!", she finally said "It just won't go any higher than that!" Bayard was smiling all the way up, and all the way down!! There was a crowd of people oooh-ing and ahhhh-ing! Go Bayard-y!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtpe_HyX3VETjVwNR_HLQE373XzoFKsiPO-Kp1iVhtjbgDvnmiWwaJTyJ2TVCvPBmmHGgsf2SXs9jgKo7l-zwmnTk0leEfjHA1155En78B2dpjTDPQ2bubVBmvQZNUk-MycCS1Q/s1600-h/PICT0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075761525021937266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtpe_HyX3VETjVwNR_HLQE373XzoFKsiPO-Kp1iVhtjbgDvnmiWwaJTyJ2TVCvPBmmHGgsf2SXs9jgKo7l-zwmnTk0leEfjHA1155En78B2dpjTDPQ2bubVBmvQZNUk-MycCS1Q/s200/PICT0039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH9HHl_dl8AiPA0lNEtuWx3oMtw_4CGoRc2UTUljCzImH87MVEpktDT_eUJ1GVbmv6Oz67oBa9e67Pez9RBzGxQ4EwgDZNl9ICs8etSkk1kel0c9HiKwFQR6YykOCwQKMtXDyUg/s1600-h/PICT0032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075760077617958482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH9HHl_dl8AiPA0lNEtuWx3oMtw_4CGoRc2UTUljCzImH87MVEpktDT_eUJ1GVbmv6Oz67oBa9e67Pez9RBzGxQ4EwgDZNl9ICs8etSkk1kel0c9HiKwFQR6YykOCwQKMtXDyUg/s200/PICT0032.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>This is Bayard's first bite of cotton candy. He picked blue. "Is it as good as you thought it would be Bayard?" "Oh yeah, Mom. It is soooo good." Yuck. It tasted like straight sugar, chemicals, and good ol' 70's/80's childhood to me. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>After a stop to watch the Dragon Boat races (the pictures of those just didn't turn out, they were just too far away and I got a bit worried about the camera in the drizzle. bummer.) we headed back to the Max Station for the journey home. Bayard is already planning the rides he will go on next year, "when I am 5 and tall enough."</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHn9f3VwPDnZyXS0huZnifmqWO9pavOllRxsel8i4Fb_Guegd6e8vG73zmROIJKzuK2PcEFUPtAELxI05s9BLu_u-3nFWar9cQDorgF1zQ8s110HHL0ip0cgdUe65ZTyXB209ZA/s1600-h/PICT0048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075761529316904578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHn9f3VwPDnZyXS0huZnifmqWO9pavOllRxsel8i4Fb_Guegd6e8vG73zmROIJKzuK2PcEFUPtAELxI05s9BLu_u-3nFWar9cQDorgF1zQ8s110HHL0ip0cgdUe65ZTyXB209ZA/s200/PICT0048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJLs7_7t6fpIupq15YQXzeKeJS9lAV_OPFQ7jWRyyV9VTpaxb_EW5CGKR0EXxc0kOZd9tpB5FAckPK20uNJuQ5h824Cbgm0iWV93WMgty_Pmnx50fKWRZe50v61d0yS10hT0iPQ/s1600-h/PICT0075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075761537906839202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJLs7_7t6fpIupq15YQXzeKeJS9lAV_OPFQ7jWRyyV9VTpaxb_EW5CGKR0EXxc0kOZd9tpB5FAckPK20uNJuQ5h824Cbgm0iWV93WMgty_Pmnx50fKWRZe50v61d0yS10hT0iPQ/s200/PICT0075.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJIYEegriKJP83Xw5hGltKlzZLj1uHnTI50mCjmaBS8ezrQPXXjbI0bFL3RQvQnotn6yqkguifyPIl0omCMd8VlTDoNbAKcO2s5EwFqYWj3-YoLm02UAE5DjfzQXjj8AnPoRkCQ/s1600-h/PICT0074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075761533611871890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJIYEegriKJP83Xw5hGltKlzZLj1uHnTI50mCjmaBS8ezrQPXXjbI0bFL3RQvQnotn6yqkguifyPIl0omCMd8VlTDoNbAKcO2s5EwFqYWj3-YoLm02UAE5DjfzQXjj8AnPoRkCQ/s200/PICT0074.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtvEsDjuRj1B9M0yqFS0vl_K9MTCc1GjilxoLGNEJBDasB4SusPyl33zs6lLAhsNlkHMXxsvFYvsJcn_kzN5KuWACEf1qeyO6jZTQNj6eybUckGh7G3EkoH9EgT5sSLAV6vGeWw/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"></a></div></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-17466777707818372932007-05-15T21:54:00.000-07:002007-05-15T22:34:08.781-07:00Sun, sun, sun!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9LvsoLyIwiJrEQtrJNzNuXXLg8qh7iOZIJNZRAUkrDGjQLqbjxxEThdx3Jy6irAxAVmrRbbgI8J4r-AbOgG5w67xD2hpMD-A5bM7nxKWMMcgD2qC_UdBxOikQV4IOal35Y6v7Q/s1600-h/PICT0006.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq5nQoSBWX3QwfqRe3_g_v-wuNa3ORMQWOa9ZOT2WHoFM1uH9q-bknZWrcT61_Q3pmrVKWZ0AJ77Qj0yjQJNmffleSpSoehkb_ONGAsVEsoBnfrtVhtU6sginizd04rOnVA2tzQ/s1600-h/PICT0030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065019726712091522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq5nQoSBWX3QwfqRe3_g_v-wuNa3ORMQWOa9ZOT2WHoFM1uH9q-bknZWrcT61_Q3pmrVKWZ0AJ77Qj0yjQJNmffleSpSoehkb_ONGAsVEsoBnfrtVhtU6sginizd04rOnVA2tzQ/s200/PICT0030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The weather has been so AMAZING lately! Sunshine and upper 70's most days the last 2 weeks! We have had lots of outside time and are really enjoying it. Amelia and Bayard both LOVE to be outside. The beans and nasturtiams on Bayard's "fort" in the backyard are slowly growing. It seems the mice were not able to eat ALL the seeds.... I will try to get a picture of that up soon. The flowers are just blooming everywhere. I adore this time of year.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuoeBMBNTtPCLXNREKLNToUFGsHcs01tHMMTK6Uz7IBueHdt5BKF90DzK-yyaREwikwslSRkocXKESfKFu8EWHt4oHoJmA-Y5-qfAlGEhuDqhin6_JdUd_3VAwzBpAMbMwFfC2Q/s1600-h/PICT0075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065022003044758482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuoeBMBNTtPCLXNREKLNToUFGsHcs01tHMMTK6Uz7IBueHdt5BKF90DzK-yyaREwikwslSRkocXKESfKFu8EWHt4oHoJmA-Y5-qfAlGEhuDqhin6_JdUd_3VAwzBpAMbMwFfC2Q/s200/PICT0075.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Anyway, the kids are doing well. Amelia continues to grow and change, her new word is "bubble" and she carries at least one bubble wand around much of the time. Pretty funny. She took her first big spill a few weeks ago... check out the scab on her cute little nose! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIudfwem8-wvWD-W5qURQCTLuLDNYXok3uzmjBY9SjpK2-vvX7kqzax_njxLcjEODRwRzGKe3F6UOHZiPiqjKxNkmZ0cXBnhfM4e40SBgoMI9Ip_oGmFdYmNSjkFCcKUK5Gtwkg/s1600-h/PICT0041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065021994454823874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIudfwem8-wvWD-W5qURQCTLuLDNYXok3uzmjBY9SjpK2-vvX7kqzax_njxLcjEODRwRzGKe3F6UOHZiPiqjKxNkmZ0cXBnhfM4e40SBgoMI9Ip_oGmFdYmNSjkFCcKUK5Gtwkg/s200/PICT0041.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Bayard started soccer a couple weeks ago and is enjoying it<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjsNj34de8dpCfHKshJLK82H_Yv6y-LagmvbIvIDDZP-4fBoO5mA4EUPe_l6VMQaVeHedAraTobZ4H5ya5GAzKL8M6XECvcY-j1-PZgl3kmzpeiH5SACJhZz9dXYHVowWLlfnyA/s1600-h/PICT0012.JPG"></a>, however, this<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYvujKlCSWYdd3-eOxskEc1OCRuHEvEs8EaiHua1Ub7uCjXKScZ7CZAldeObbLVRZ73hWS4JpHK_g6uQxClU5J3Tmql2CdtyHpS__QHdfSr8NKEaAQSzJmeJNTfNO-Nk-qLAk3g/s1600-h/PICT0016.JPG"></a> week he said "Mom, I don't know if I want to do soccer again, there is just so much running." This is particularly funny coming from the child who also says "Mom, one of my favorite things these days is just to run. I like how my body feels when I run. I think I am definately the fastest person in our family." He will then run laps...living room...dining room...kitchen....hallway.....living room....dining room....kitchen....hallway.....living room.... and so it goes. Often the running experience is augmented by the wearing of a cape which Bayard says "flows behind me in the wind."<br /><br /></div><br /><div>Check out the recent pics...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdUWk8QgtQLm7uic_I0W1Y_FKaihdjiqLnlRpWWVWoB9Tz1QIud6cHTVYnVqEKdKXuAFQVWg_xpiHFG_OAo5iffqGwc357sGgvUNls-cyTDIlLYYyTSlf6miHTNZ4HjY8mcHuGw/s1600-h/PICT0083.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065023355959456738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdUWk8QgtQLm7uic_I0W1Y_FKaihdjiqLnlRpWWVWoB9Tz1QIud6cHTVYnVqEKdKXuAFQVWg_xpiHFG_OAo5iffqGwc357sGgvUNls-cyTDIlLYYyTSlf6miHTNZ4HjY8mcHuGw/s200/PICT0083.JPG" border="0" /></a>. This one of Bayard is in the backyard on his rope swing... a HUGE hit the last couple weeks. The family one is from Mother's Day. We must have taken 20 pictures trying to get it right! It still isn't great, but, it was good enough for the 6 month report we had to do for the adoption agency. Yes, Amelia has been with us for 6 months. Amazing. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv3s7Vzn2ZpK7zZYq0DHLB7LMf7uFUJamXIzJHYPSgklLcRh8kM6n3jXpEI2hdIb3F2no8vX6wzMH2WXgIyBPlAB5o_41B51rE3yuH4eEFmNRFsjx0Zvf6Xg0Yoxxstq2Z0dQsA/s1600-h/PICT0033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065023373139325938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv3s7Vzn2ZpK7zZYq0DHLB7LMf7uFUJamXIzJHYPSgklLcRh8kM6n3jXpEI2hdIb3F2no8vX6wzMH2WXgIyBPlAB5o_41B51rE3yuH4eEFmNRFsjx0Zvf6Xg0Yoxxstq2Z0dQsA/s200/PICT0033.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-79571513113261462022007-04-08T19:40:00.000-07:002007-04-08T20:02:37.248-07:00Walking, running, easter egg hunting....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qzq7ZebfqRgKn12Oca_G853XSppp5iBDfRIujVLOWeCDSUZ6ChyvrZBjDdV7mW4lgP0o7RfUa6kWlPaelsgo1rhaqGyUCU95Kt8Fp6eWT1iL1qeuevDa7Syw4Fj2CvMn5ovVRw/s1600-h/PICT0001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051257804297803970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Qzq7ZebfqRgKn12Oca_G853XSppp5iBDfRIujVLOWeCDSUZ6ChyvrZBjDdV7mW4lgP0o7RfUa6kWlPaelsgo1rhaqGyUCU95Kt8Fp6eWT1iL1qeuevDa7Syw4Fj2CvMn5ovVRw/s200/PICT0001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsCLPY6CK4ZuJnTXydzxGeoVhLmn6EiDYaAHZKH2jHCpJZzY0jtRyzb7YlZi2BbKAiIH5BCi8TgZx3VbLQeaR-F3NZuWtPj9xbILj7YUT1h5Ru3K1IyuII3enD22hW-e_sxDBnw/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051257812887738578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsCLPY6CK4ZuJnTXydzxGeoVhLmn6EiDYaAHZKH2jHCpJZzY0jtRyzb7YlZi2BbKAiIH5BCi8TgZx3VbLQeaR-F3NZuWtPj9xbILj7YUT1h5Ru3K1IyuII3enD22hW-e_sxDBnw/s200/PICT0002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Well, Amelia started walking about a week ago and there is no looking back. She is highly mobile and seemingly enjoying it. She is growing like a weed! Bayard is a running, jumping, climbing, bike riding, cape wearing, poem reciting, 4 year old. Poem reciting you ask? Yes, Bayard has started making up poems and reciting them regularly. A couple nights ago we were on our nightly after dinner family walk and he asked "Daddy, what is a poem?" "Well, Bayard, it is like story with rhymes and words that sound good together." "I think I will make up a poem right now. " And he did... here is his first poem...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>The Car Goes Far</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The car goes far</div><br /><div>The car doesn't go far</div><br /><div>The car goes far</div><br /><div>Yes! The car goes far</div><br /><div>The car doesn't go far</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Not bad for a 4 year old! He has continued to develop his craft and is currently enjoying the use of alliteration (we introduced the term the other day after he made one up with a great deal of it and now he has taken it on a challenge to put rhymes and alliteration in!)... He has continued the theme of repetition in much of his "work" as well. Funny kid. We think he is rather clever. We are his parents after all!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84HYOmQDiD6oeOElA6ccwVyTTW86DwNWVYjV3LTbtD5Ltl-ipufKnFDKrfI28qifdfiF0DJuLsEkljB9MayEU63OAC327ZUXd4-mDo7B2qqDveYHC2QQO-92lC84ucJZJY0GM6Q/s1600-h/PICT0021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051257825772640498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84HYOmQDiD6oeOElA6ccwVyTTW86DwNWVYjV3LTbtD5Ltl-ipufKnFDKrfI28qifdfiF0DJuLsEkljB9MayEU63OAC327ZUXd4-mDo7B2qqDveYHC2QQO-92lC84ucJZJY0GM6Q/s200/PICT0021.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are continuing to enjoy spring. Bayard and I have been working on a fort in the backyard. We put up some tall bamboo poles and arranged them much like a tee pee. We have planted nasturtiums, sweet peas, and sugar snap peas in hopes that all will grow up and all around the tee pee and make a cool hideout. Bayard wanted lots of plants he could eat "so I can have snacks in my fort if I get hungry," so we also planted some strawberries nearby. We are also hoping the mammoth sunflower seeds we planted make it and don't get thwarted by the dog, the mice, the birds, or the slugs! Time will tell. Portland gets greener and more vibrant every day!! Ah, I love spring. I even look forward to the rain now. It seems I have adapted to the climate after almost 9 years in Oregon. Wow. 9 years. </div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XGrgaqQWJsfqsKkXLUdnmfBc0ALILaU_sKdpQH-41EKgVZFOmEjVKb3V1P3nZBpu5v2U-6VxzDouSD8oLdb3AbhyirBRfq2UPLrqJdjTzyNQBAlgEckJXgYhM4FC4PN9uTZ60A/s1600-h/PICT0026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051257817182705890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XGrgaqQWJsfqsKkXLUdnmfBc0ALILaU_sKdpQH-41EKgVZFOmEjVKb3V1P3nZBpu5v2U-6VxzDouSD8oLdb3AbhyirBRfq2UPLrqJdjTzyNQBAlgEckJXgYhM4FC4PN9uTZ60A/s200/PICT0026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, I am going to get off the computer now... so, I will just attach a few pictures and get rolling along.... </div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-72855205014730129292007-03-11T19:49:00.000-07:002007-03-11T20:26:08.503-07:00Spring!!!!!!<div>Wow, the weather has just been so nice (yes, still a great deal of rain, but it SMELLS like spring and is warmer!), the crocus and daffodils are blooming, the lilacs are peeking out, and the trees are starting to bud. Portland has to be the greenest and most vivid place on the planet in the spring. Maybe that is just in sharp contrast to the gray winters.... whatever the case, it is just energy-giving!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Amelia is working on walking. She is taking lots of steps, but crawling is still more efficient for her. She did not tolerate day care very well, so, I quit my job at the hospital and am home full time with her now! She seems pretty happy about that. And so am I. I am still doing the private practice, but that is just evenings and occassional weekends, so, no day ca<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1dyEtZtBhs7foxec3jIdy_aBcFMKs7rPX32A1DI4UaUVU1ZwJzJA4D9OOrAhM_bEUMHF_QHWjDyjXqit06-OMfQiIYiXdtEcFdPcPtT1HZptOVdPOEnQxkNmG_dfDdEg9omfDQ/s1600-h/PICT0038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040872636848407650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1dyEtZtBhs7foxec3jIdy_aBcFMKs7rPX32A1DI4UaUVU1ZwJzJA4D9OOrAhM_bEUMHF_QHWjDyjXqit06-OMfQiIYiXdtEcFdPcPtT1HZptOVdPOEnQxkNmG_dfDdEg9omfDQ/s320/PICT0038.JPG" border="0" /></a>re required. Big changes! She loves to be outside and is saying "bye bye" , "da da", "ba ba" (which we think is Bayard), "ma ma" and is adding to her signing vocabulary too. She is funny and very determined-- she doesn't often show frustration, she just keeps working on something until she gets it, then, she just looks so proud of herself. Pretty cool. She LOVES to eat. The kid will eat almost anything you put in front of her and sh<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSLKY-k_ti_QgNL5YsPmy69bEdO2VobBu6uboUDdo86GxDoUFf0gEu6d9xw2XKB8_s9akAr9D9a1bjPlq4452uiR_g9CmKurxtxQlIQ0mLvU3sEYLmbx8eCa-QBKPBSAMhnZuoA/s1600-h/PICT0071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040872645438342258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSLKY-k_ti_QgNL5YsPmy69bEdO2VobBu6uboUDdo86GxDoUFf0gEu6d9xw2XKB8_s9akAr9D9a1bjPlq4452uiR_g9CmKurxtxQlIQ0mLvU3sEYLmbx8eCa-QBKPBSAMhnZuoA/s320/PICT0071.JPG" border="0" /></a>e is really digging the sippy cup of water. She is throwing some hissys lately when things don't go her way-- which is great! It is nice to see her expressing her likes and dislikes more strongly instead of just going with the flow so much. She loves the swing at the park by our house and is quite the climber! She also thinks Bayard is very cool, but is not afraid to shriek at him if she doesn't like something he is doing! She continues to be a joy, and a fantastic sleeper! WAHOO!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bayard turned 4 and got a 2 wheeler for his birthday. He is really enjoying it. We weren't sure as he hasn't been a big bike guy up to this point, but, he seems to have embraced being a "big guy" and is excited to have a big kid bike. He only wanted 4 and 5 year olds at his pirate themed birthday party (treasure hunt, pinata, and lots of swordplay and swashbuckling as the kids all came dressed as pirates)-- and is showing a strong preference for BOYS as frien<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJMHLe_6MV9GadV4ZI6wN-s_PwxK81xW37dQ_YyU1JyYuPnJwKNTO2SKT0LfF7k9WwRdpZH46_SZHAjdm7bTrGQ1pJTwc_zKVpKIZPdqi4ltSfvUz8ZuUZ4nro3J5I4dt_IVwFw/s1600-h/PICT0022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040872632553440338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJMHLe_6MV9GadV4ZI6wN-s_PwxK81xW37dQ_YyU1JyYuPnJwKNTO2SKT0LfF7k9WwRdpZH46_SZHAjdm7bTrGQ1pJTwc_zKVpKIZPdqi4ltSfvUz8ZuUZ4nro3J5I4dt_IVwFw/s320/PICT0022.JPG" border="0" /></a>ds. He still likes to play with Kassy across the street, but sees her as an exception. He is definately moving into boyhood more and more. Very cool to watch. The little boy is moving on out.. here comes the big kid. He is still enjoying swimming and is currently working on the backstroke. He wants to sign up for soccer again and thinks karate would be "cool." He gave away all of his kid plates and cups to some littler boys he knows and only wants to use "grown up stuff" at mealtime. "Thomas and Bob the Builder are for babies mom." Wow. When we decided that I would stay home with Amelia, Bayard said "I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl4VRjs0cWCaT5PNda58v2-9ZFmOoEmvNUdxlr__0jLO6x3kUFsu3-TTjaakpSeGdeZHC9vpqKYqefERtLeOIasMnqKMXF_dXCZAPGkJzYIBezCM2R2_0gbb-4fNzuiWE5AZ6zw/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040872623963505730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl4VRjs0cWCaT5PNda58v2-9ZFmOoEmvNUdxlr__0jLO6x3kUFsu3-TTjaakpSeGdeZHC9vpqKYqefERtLeOIasMnqKMXF_dXCZAPGkJzYIBezCM2R2_0gbb-4fNzuiWE5AZ6zw/s320/PICT0002.JPG" border="0" /></a>think that is good mom. I think she just got confused again like she was in China. If you stay home with her everyday, then she will know that we really are her family forever and she won't get confused anymore. " Ahhh. I love that kid. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok... I have a workshop tomorrow night and I need to get some work done for it! The pictures are just ones from this month and some from Bayard's birthday. Enjoy! </div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-65913817632575672792007-02-15T12:00:00.000-08:002007-02-15T12:23:33.353-08:00Whoa! Time does fly....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJOxJ4TZtk6UeYIM6XTHhQtjRbwvG60HL3Q5AvBBDV0aGIKfm6mV51OSZgEnEgm148gRT3raEDZTFWC-vR4Zs-JoSyp7cINj1IJHhiYtfaAcmH-bEx9oQv5aTnNARhRLUHvA6nw/s1600-h/PICT0021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031858551930935234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJOxJ4TZtk6UeYIM6XTHhQtjRbwvG60HL3Q5AvBBDV0aGIKfm6mV51OSZgEnEgm148gRT3raEDZTFWC-vR4Zs-JoSyp7cINj1IJHhiYtfaAcmH-bEx9oQv5aTnNARhRLUHvA6nw/s320/PICT0021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR3wnqAxYegrL5avUMy5eeNGDCIylu8ErFuygdDmd_V50AblUfSQ8xi2kEdTFJFbbjSTcjYuubwGgtQp5ddsoK8fefAFkh06r4UhQpZTeCQRwqAotrlH7fHixOD68DCMJ-msQOw/s1600-h/PICT0006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031858564815837154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR3wnqAxYegrL5avUMy5eeNGDCIylu8ErFuygdDmd_V50AblUfSQ8xi2kEdTFJFbbjSTcjYuubwGgtQp5ddsoK8fefAFkh06r4UhQpZTeCQRwqAotrlH7fHixOD68DCMJ-msQOw/s320/PICT0006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90HrMoGhHhFzoPwhTHhhyphenhyphenbVWhf0xQh6wUoSp053xJqAMvSF3uUdEHHOBO0wnbwjyLP_0ywnSX92xFdTNo7G-hggyuPuQ_XN0LRPFhQpz7CN2vuld6FIe9sRXOMuZKwbvFCJMB7w/s1600-h/PICT0009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031858556225902546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90HrMoGhHhFzoPwhTHhhyphenhyphenbVWhf0xQh6wUoSp053xJqAMvSF3uUdEHHOBO0wnbwjyLP_0ywnSX92xFdTNo7G-hggyuPuQ_XN0LRPFhQpz7CN2vuld6FIe9sRXOMuZKwbvFCJMB7w/s320/PICT0009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Well, it has been over amonth since I last posted. Whew! In that month, we have battled sickness (ah, winter...), I started back to work 2 days, which means Amelia started day care 2 days, my private practice is growing (yeah!), Amelia turned 1!!! and Bayard is about to turn 4 (on the 20th!), oh, and our 31 yr old furnace called it quits. We have been living with space heaters for over a week while we await the gas company to put in a line to our house! AH! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All is well though. Amelia is weathering day care pretty well-- each time she goes it gets better. Last week was the first week she spent two full days (the week before w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRBJusqbOupGoqz5CAn7MtxfzdoeWaX1e1cUEe23XjaqLQLkpOnRmG1ZmRNqhFq2NKlRgAaO1RVwijxIk96KFYgU_llc6Gbu_D1XeiraRXL2pI71SlRED0caExyrfFgMYQlJYwQ/s1600-h/PICT0069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031858569110804466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRBJusqbOupGoqz5CAn7MtxfzdoeWaX1e1cUEe23XjaqLQLkpOnRmG1ZmRNqhFq2NKlRgAaO1RVwijxIk96KFYgU_llc6Gbu_D1XeiraRXL2pI71SlRED0caExyrfFgMYQlJYwQ/s320/PICT0069.JPG" border="0" /></a>e did 2 half days). She is very clear (ie: screamy!) that staying there without us is not in her plan for the day, but she settles in and we have a wonderful care provider, so we know she is getting her needs met and will adjust. If you want to check out the school ... <a href="http://www.growingseeds.net/">http://www.growingseeds.net/</a> . We couldn't be happier with them. Bayard is in the preschool room and is able to go and visit Amelia during the day in the baby room. Nice.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Amelia is right on track developmentally and seemingly, attachment wise too. What a gift! She is funny and currently loves pointing at everything. She loves books and likes to do the sign for book and then have you read to her. She is signing quite a bit (book, daddy, milk, dog, all done, more) which we think is pretty cool. Bayard is growing up so fast! 4 is a big birthday. He is definately seeming more and more like a big kid. He is funny, creative, bright, silly, thoughtful, and truly seems to enjoy his role as big brother. At school they are wrapping up learning about volcanoes and moving on to learning about Egypt which he is excited about. He was telling me that he really wants to "know more about mummys and sphinxes." They studied honey bees last summer and he was telling me yesterday that "not just bees have a proboscus mom, some butterflies do too, but they j<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVByxlm8UaMBRslTAaETBYEXTOUXhY-_ZNdlYKkilRPsPQnT_uWjmF95wJvBCJ-JPo2ViYJsr5jAaqLx-DTAJo9vUhAiczcU4VBH3YaunvzbjXMfItPxbIGSctdozOtaP81Zxng/s1600-h/PICT0076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031858577700739074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVByxlm8UaMBRslTAaETBYEXTOUXhY-_ZNdlYKkilRPsPQnT_uWjmF95wJvBCJ-JPo2ViYJsr5jAaqLx-DTAJo9vUhAiczcU4VBH3YaunvzbjXMfItPxbIGSctdozOtaP81Zxng/s320/PICT0076.JPG" border="0" /></a>ust eat the nectar, they don't make honey with it like the bees do." Whoa! He cracks me up. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok, well, I guess that is the wrap up for now. I will try to be better about keeping up here.... </div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-86167175698420845432007-01-01T15:01:00.000-08:002007-01-01T16:26:54.985-08:00Christmas, New Years, and 2 front teeth...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiXIbMMhyUKlhGHB9qu1EN2J9mdProkCnKoA1vcywjF4sAVbQ4p175ORxatsBZlvnUm-m34uAjCJ4ybVQ5-dBh1qV_ArHL6GygTRN9ai5DsOGI6ETZsoBTjgy_ywY-sR94QP6oQ/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015217670829341618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiXIbMMhyUKlhGHB9qu1EN2J9mdProkCnKoA1vcywjF4sAVbQ4p175ORxatsBZlvnUm-m34uAjCJ4ybVQ5-dBh1qV_ArHL6GygTRN9ai5DsOGI6ETZsoBTjgy_ywY-sR94QP6oQ/s320/PICT0002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOid7BUKL5HRovWl22mdEhbDQ58iXp7Wor2fqZ45eDpYHIR5NOXAkdS64hCYeIxkVH24QepjSoGiuxJ39F9V90Gjal8fOE2ifx56S2GWb_QbCx-wvPO32Dd_Mz4PbK7OElmjYdQ/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015217688009210818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOid7BUKL5HRovWl22mdEhbDQ58iXp7Wor2fqZ45eDpYHIR5NOXAkdS64hCYeIxkVH24QepjSoGiuxJ39F9V90Gjal8fOE2ifx56S2GWb_QbCx-wvPO32Dd_Mz4PbK7OElmjYdQ/s320/PICT0004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yRFQtznmTxcuOIxyuLcTslHqsHGMGhBLymEULjBKgb2R3bD5PFEAEgDLT7DeJ5BPhFcOIWUhR3iizGdJk25xYOiDz60_KzaU5dR4D9crQr4SoqSAPXUWz0ctgVP_60aWhm1n8w/s1600-h/PICT0030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015217696599145426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yRFQtznmTxcuOIxyuLcTslHqsHGMGhBLymEULjBKgb2R3bD5PFEAEgDLT7DeJ5BPhFcOIWUhR3iizGdJk25xYOiDz60_KzaU5dR4D9crQr4SoqSAPXUWz0ctgVP_60aWhm1n8w/s320/PICT0030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqLPg4NO0pPZUhDMACJrc77M57QsiHoU2abTL7k1fUVqNUsXkiyAvX0R5VBvBllqSA7wF28edHW2gwTk_TkKmlj0ISNLRus0gzpl85cdTvjXFqpqXnpyEELpZrueDF0OqoPylXg/s1600-h/PICT0047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015217713779014626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqLPg4NO0pPZUhDMACJrc77M57QsiHoU2abTL7k1fUVqNUsXkiyAvX0R5VBvBllqSA7wF28edHW2gwTk_TkKmlj0ISNLRus0gzpl85cdTvjXFqpqXnpyEELpZrueDF0OqoPylXg/s320/PICT0047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Amelia is working on her two top teeth... wow. She also has a cold. So, snot and drool galore at our house right now. She has also gone from wearing 3-6 month clothes in China to now moving into some 12-18 month ones! A little grower she is.<br /><br />Christmas was fun... check out the pictures. Christmas jammies courtesy of Aunt Trace... so cute! And what a nice suprise!<br /><br />New Years was mellow for us... all of us in bed before midnight.<br /><br />OK, a little girl wants my attention and is making her way under the desk to check out the many cords.... more later... </div>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1167005395224181602006-12-24T16:03:00.000-08:002006-12-24T16:10:59.536-08:00Christmas Eve<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/390551/PICT0010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/200/314911/PICT0010.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/379693/PICT0007.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/200/271410/PICT0007.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here a couple of quick pictures of BWJ and AFJ before we head over to a friend's house for a party on the 23rd. The Christmas outfits came from Nana (G'ma Jeri) and are very cool!<br /><br />Excitement is growing for Bayard's 4th Xmas and Amelia's 1st.....check back for more tomorrow, including the awesome Xmas PJs that came from Aunt Trace!!traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1165879502748479602006-12-11T15:10:00.000-08:002006-12-11T15:25:02.760-08:00Bayard the rock climber and more...<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/77813/PICT0010.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/144877/PICT0010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, yesterday, Bayard and a friend of his went with "the dads" to a local bouldering gym to tackle the kid climbing wall there. Travis said it was pretty cool, a big climbing wall just for kids with a good sized area at the "summit" and a big wooden, well shellacked (sp?), slide on the other side for a quick descent... check out the pictures...<br /><br />And, update on Amelia... she is using signs for "all done" and "milk"... we think she is pretty smart! Check out some recent pics of her too!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/20162/PICT0025.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/156547/PICT0025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/385863/PICT0002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/155786/PICT0002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/918599/PICT0033.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/36287/PICT0033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/151851/PICT0034.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/728035/PICT0034.jpg" border="0" /></a>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1165550034688219712006-12-07T19:49:00.000-08:002006-12-07T19:53:54.696-08:00Just more pictures...<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/53348/PICT0025.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/366961/PICT0025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/361043/PICT0004.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/552162/PICT0004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/340692/PICT0037.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/170494/PICT0037.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/951486/PICT0062.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/51939/PICT0062.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/776708/PICT0044.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/609816/PICT0044.jpg" border="0" /></a>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1165378755318718022006-12-05T19:54:00.000-08:002006-12-05T20:19:15.463-08:00ONE MONTH!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/185867/PICT0030.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/413042/PICT0030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One month ago today, we met Amelia. It is incredible that it was only that long ago. It is hard to imagine our family without her. She grows happier and more animated everyday. Bayard is truly a wonderful big brother... a little something from today...<br /><br />Bayard, Amelia , and I were in the kitchen today and this is the conversation I heard…<br /><br />Amelia, you were born in China. Before you were here, I would ask my mom everynight, “Is it morning time in China?” and she would say “it will be pretty soon” and then I would say “Is Amelia getting up now? Is she having breakfast now?” We would talk about all the things you might be doing. Now you are here with our family, so we know what you are doing all the time! I am glad you are my sister. You are going to be in our family forever!<br /><br />This was followed by a small crisis when Amelia took one of his dinosaur magnets off of the refrigerator..."she has my special magnet! that one is special! she can't have that one! Mom! help!" I reply... "What's your plan Bayard?" BWJ: "We need to put those up high where she can't reach them! She can have the letter ones. I will put those down low for her. There you go Amelia, you can play with those." Ah, disaster averted by the problem solving big brother.<br /><br />So, life is good. Here are some pictures from today and yesterday...<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/451446/PICT0009.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/844974/PICT0009.jpg" border="0" /></a>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1164665127320111332006-11-27T14:00:00.000-08:002006-11-27T14:05:27.583-08:00Back to normal....Well, Travis went back to work today and I am home with "the kids"... it has been great! Wow, transition to 2 kids is SOOOO much easier than transition to 1! It doesn't hurt that I am not recovering from pregnancy, labor, delivery, and major emergency surgery all while caring for a newborn... starting at 9 mos old having never been pregnant is actually pretty nice! She is more of a joy each day and Bayard continues to do really well. <br /><br />It just hit us last night that we missed much of November and Christmas is just around the corner! Those "east coast" gifts have to get moving if they are going to make it in time! Hmmm, we have some work to do! <br /><br />Speaking of work... I need to get some done while "the kids" are resting/napping...traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1164516266254509822006-11-25T20:24:00.000-08:002006-11-25T20:44:26.363-08:00Ah, sleep. And siblings.<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/989918/BWJ%20&%20AFJ.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/936793/BWJ%20%26%20AFJ.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So, Amelia slept from 7:30-4am, then had a bottle, and went back to sleep until 7am! WAHOOO!!! Life is much better when not starved for sleep. Bayard is so cute with her. I asked him how it was going for him with Amelia here...<br /><br />"Not so good mom"<br />"Why? What's up Bayard?"<br />"I just don't get enough time with my sister. You and Dad get to spend lots of time playing with her and I don't. I want more time to play with her."<br />"I think we can work that out Bayard."<br /><br />Funny kid. Not at all what I expected him to say. He is really helpful with her. He entertains her and SO wants to be a part of taking care of her. She is big enough to actually interact with him, so that is nice. He was playing peek-a-boo with her tonight while I was making her dinner and she was VERY impatient! He had her smiling and even laughing. At the same time, he was feeding her the much loved Cheerios. Pretty cool sibling stuff. Bayard starts back on his regular school schedule this week which I think will be good too.<br /><br />Well, both kids are in bed, so I need to take advantage and have some "me time"....<br /><p>Oh, here are Bayard and Travis watching the Georgia v Georgia Tech game today...</p><p></p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/809536/PICT0003.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/410170/PICT0003.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/524989/PICT0003.jpg"></a></p>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1164082123163636612006-11-20T19:47:00.000-08:002006-11-20T20:25:49.820-08:00How cute is she?!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/54674/PICT0038.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/729316/PICT0038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/1600/544471/PICT0035.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1552/4118/320/312554/PICT0035.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we are getting to know Amelia more each day, and she is adorable! Happy, smiling, today she giggled!<br /><p>These pictures were taken in her room at bedtime the second day we were home. I know, those jammies are pretty girly. And how cute is she in them? Sleep is improving each night. We are hopeful for an even better night tonight! She is in bed right now.... sleeping, in her bed.... yes, we dosed her up with Benadryl... for the jetlag, and our sanity... we'll see. We head off to the pediatrician tomorrow morning to check in. I don't think she is going to have much to say as Amelia is looking really healthy and still pretty on track developmentally. Some mild gross and fine motor delays, but nothing really significant. She is still in the window of "typical development" just on the slower end for motor skills. Yeah! She is generally happy, smiley, and fairly easy going. She is quite clear about what she wants and will definately let you know if you aren't giving it to her, but she is quick to recover once it is resolved. She is also doing well on the attachment stuff. Much better than we expected at this point, so that is great news too! She still enjoys time with Travis, but no longer shows a marked preference for him. She is fascinated with Woobie (our Brittany Spaniel for those who don't know him). He on the other hand, showed little or no reaction to her with the exception of resuming the post he had at the highchair when it was last used and giving her face licks to check out the leftovers. She seems ok with that and watches him with great interest. Nice to have an 8 year old "baby/child seasoned" dog as opposed to a 4 year old "new to the kid thing" dog... </p><p>Bayard is excited to visit his school for a couple hours while we take Amelia to the doctor tomorrow. He is doing well with the adjustment. As well as can be expected I think. Some boundary testing and meltdowns over things like running out of juice or getting his arm caught in his jacket (things he took in stride before), but, all in all, big brother is coping ok and really likes to play with Amelia and is VERY sweet with her. First thing each morning he comes into our room (where she has generally been spending at least the last 2-3 hours of the night) and just talks quietly to her and rubs her back and sings her songs... "Hello to Amelia, so glad to see you, Good morning Amelia, so glad to see you"... So sweet. </p><p>OK, that is it for tonight. I am going to relish in some downtime while BOTH kids are sleeping! </p>traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1163794256169387702006-11-17T11:51:00.000-08:002006-11-17T12:10:56.356-08:00We're home!After 26 hours of travel, and two Thursdays (we gained a day on the way back), we are settling into home. Amelia and Bayard did great on the trip back. 3 plane rides, 4 different cities, and 2 different countries. Amelia got her "you are an american citizen" stamp yesterday when we arrived in LA. That was our last big milestone in this process. It is nice to be back, but, I kind of miss that "vacation feeling"... yeah, parts of the trip were challenging, but, there were no dishes to do, no laundry, no bills waiting to be paid, no bathrooms to clean, no garbage to take out... you know what I mean. Bayard, Amelia, and myself slept fairly well last night, Travis on the other hand is having a bit more trouble with the time change. We took turns with Amelia last night, she was still on China time and didn't really go to sleep until about 1am. But, she then slept til 8:30! Wahoo! I think a family nap may be in the cards for us this afternoon... <br /><br />Amelia is the happiest baby the last 3 days! She is smiley and is liking sitting on the floor and playing with toys. She is fine going between me and Travis now. She has huge smiles when either of us walks in the room and says hi to her. She is able to sit alone on the floor and play while we are in the room doing something else for 5-10 minutes at a time-- that is pretty big progress! <br /><br />Bayard has been going non-stop today. He seems to be really enjoying playing with his toys and just being at home. Although, as we were leaving China he said "I don't want to go home yet, I love China!" <br /><br />All in all, we had a great trip. More pictures to come. I think we will keep doing this blog thing... so, keep checking in! Oh, thanks to all who left comments... it helped us to feel more connected to those of you back home. It was fun to think of so many people following our trip and our progress with Amelia!traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1163560646682881762006-11-14T19:02:00.000-08:002006-11-14T19:17:26.710-08:00Kaili<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/miao%20village%20(14).jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/miao%20village%20%2814%29.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/miao%20village%20(7).jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/miao%20village%20%287%29.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/the%20orphanage%20nursery%20an%20three%20of%20the%20nurses.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/the%20orphanage%20nursery%20an%20three%20of%20the%20nurses.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/miao%20village%20(1).jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/miao%20village%20%281%29.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Kaili is the name of the town that is the capital of the region where the babies in our group are from. Guizhou is the province, and the smaller region (county if you will) is called Qiandongnan. Kaili is kind of like the county seat. It was a 2.5 bus ride each way on windy roads, so we chose not to go, but we really wish we had. Tracey's motion sickness and Amelia still adjusting to us didn't seem to like a good mix for 5 hours in a bus. Anyhow one of the families with us had an adventurous uncle along with them who spoke some Chinese, so these are pics from him. After seeing these we really wish we had gone, but unfortunately it just didn't work out this time. Maybe we'll be able to go again when we get back in a few years.<br /><br />There are two ethnic minority groups here and there is a good chance that Amelia is from one of them (Dong and Miao). We'll never really know though, Amelia's birth parents and exact town are unknown.<br /><br />The 3rd picture above is the orphanage where the babies came from. All were in foster care for most of the time, but they all passed through this orphanage and spent some time there.<br /><br />Many thanks to Mike Bergner for making the trek to get us this info!!traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1163559313937892272006-11-14T18:50:00.000-08:002006-11-14T18:56:58.346-08:00Faster Internet connection in Guangzhou = more pictures<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/Day%208&9%20Guangzhou%20034.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/Day%208%269%20Guangzhou%20034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/Day%208&9%20Guangzhou%20003.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/Day%208%269%20Guangzhou%20003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/Day%207%20Guiyang%20012.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/Day%207%20Guiyang%20012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />First pic is BWJ and Amelia sitting together.<br /><br />Second is loading up to fly from Guiyang to Guangzhou, "taking the 3 ring circus on the road".<br /><br />Third is from back in Guiyang, at the big central square where they were getting ready for some big Communist Party c weekend event. You can see the statue of Mao in the back.traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36774561.post-1163558791012475862006-11-14T18:43:00.000-08:002006-11-14T18:46:31.013-08:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/Day%208&9%20Guangzhou%20021.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/Day%208%269%20Guangzhou%20021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/1600/Day%208&9%20Guangzhou%20029.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1552/4118/200/Day%208%269%20Guangzhou%20029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is one of Bayard and Amelia doing some "shoulder ride".<br /><br />The other is what I call the "Last Supper". Its all the babies from our adoption group here in the lobby at the White Swan in Guangzhou. Pretty funny. Amelia is the second from the left.traceyjohnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055597140351333774noreply@blogger.com0