Island Car

Island Car
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Our trip coincided with Koloa Town's "Plantation Days" -- the theme of which was "Dancing Plantation Style". The music and hula were infectious. One person asked us if we were going to give Helen hula lessons since she seemed to be a natural...

Kalalau Trail Hike

Kalalau Trail Hike
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Four adults and three babies hit the Kalalau Trail on Friday. We illicited quite a few comments as we trekked up the rocky trail that led to breathtaking views of the Napali Coast.

Later in the evening, Chris & I snuck away for a dinner (just the two of us) in Hanalei. What a treat!

Catch of the Day

Catch of the Day
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The "Hawaii Plate" is a big treat... loads of rice, chow mein, fried fish, and curried vegetables. Helen was quite content after her meal.

At home we've been eating well too, each of us taking turns with dinner and dishes. With a fish market down the street, a gas grill on the deck, a well-stocked fridge, and a recipe book filled with Indonesian favorites, it has been good eating all around.

Boogie Board

Boogie Board
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The last time we visited Kaua'i sans baby, our beach time totaled about 2 hours. Neither of us are really "beach people". How a little one changes your plans! In our three days here, we've been beach-bound daily. Hopefully we'll have tans to show for it.

Classic Hawaii

Wading with Mama
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Had to post the obligatory picture with palm trees, blue water, and happy people. Helen can't get enough of the warm wonderful water, and neither can we.

Beach Offering

Beach Offering
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen and Finn are great playmates, and since Finn has an older sister, he knows all about bossy girls and how they must get their own way! This works out well when Helen is involved.

View from our House

View from our House
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We are in Kaua'i... in a house not by the beach, but geez, it's hard to complain because the view is awe inspiring. (Click on this photo to see the view at sunrise.) There are 3 couples and 5 kids, and things couldn't be better or more beautiful.

Enchanted Castle

Enchanted Castle
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Gabrielle turned four today, and typical of a four-year-old girl, the party was all about princesses. (I'm hoping this princess fad ends quickly!) Right now, Helen is much more interested in icecream, and anything with wheels. The bouncie house was also starting to be fun for her, although I'm hoping that she still needs me to accompany her for a long time ;)

Neighborhood Picnic

Neighborhood Picnic
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We love living in a neighborhood that hosts a summer picnic! Our street was assigned to bring a dessert. Since it was too hot to bake, we walked to Japantown this morning and bought a box of manju -- traditional Japanese steamed cakes using azuki beans. We had manju while in China, but buying it fresh makes the treat even more special.

Ready for School

Ready for School
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

"Paperchasing" is a common phrase for the mountain of paperwork that takes place at the front end of an adoption process. We've learned that the paperchase is not a single phase, but an ongoing activity. Since returning from China we have applied for and received Helen's social security number, and filed forms for her "California Re-Adopt" which will be finalized in August.

Today, we applied for her passport. We don't anticipate needing one right away, but it never hurts to be prepared! Helen was the talk of the post office as she climbed up onto every empty desk (all 20 of them) and pretended to be in school. I hope she will be as excited when the actual day comes.

Four Months from Family Day

Helen & Naomi's Picnic
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Four months ago... You know the story. Each month that passes by we marvel at how much we have all evolved. We see Helen's growth so gradually, that it really hit home how much she's changed when we met up today with Dianne & Naomi. Helen and Naomi are tracking closely on their development, and Naomi has sure grown since we've seen her last!

This last month has been significant in two ways -- first is Helen's mobility (upright, and constant!) and second is her growing affection. Hugs and kisses are frequent now. More cuddling. More use of our names (mama & baba). More responsiveness. For these things, we are so grateful.

"I Wasn't Finished!"

"I Wasn't Finished!"
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen loved the car ride so much, that she didn't want to get off. Fortunately, there was a short line, and we were able to get her right back on. My goodness, does this child know what she wants, and when she wants it. We admire her strong sense of self, with awe and trepidation!

Driver's Ed

Driver's Ed
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen was finally brave enough to go on the car ride all by herself. As we frantically waved from the sidelines, she only occasionally looked up to give us a smile. Most of the time she was doing what any good driver should do -- concentrating on the road!

Big Air

Big Air
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

On Sunday we went to "A Night at the Hollow" (as in Happy Hollow) with the Joe Sharino Band. We brought a picnic dinner and Helen rocked and romped though the evening with old friends Ellie & Grant, and new friend Jared.

Fort Funston

Fort Funston
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

How to beat the heat... When the mercury passed 90 degrees, we headed to Fort Funston where, true to form, it was foggy and cool. Fort Funston is a favorite haunt of hang glider fans and dog owners (us being in the latter category). Helen's grandparents joined us and the dogs for the day's outing.

Sandals

Sandals
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

I'm not sure if this is a girl thing, but Helen is becoming hyper aware of her shoes. In fact it is her newest word, which she pronounces as "tchew".

The sandals in this photo ended up being rather worthless slipping around on her feet. We much prefer her Ecco's -- well worth the investment for durable shoes that are also cute.

Grocery Shopping

Grocery Shopping
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

In the category of "be careful what you ask for", Helen is doing very well at pushing carts. This has translated into more complicated trips to the grocery store when she insists on pushing around our month's supply of food rations. We cut a rather uneven path through the market and I'm sure that from head on, it looks like the cart is being steered by a ghost.

Buckingham Fountain

Buckingham Fountain
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Thursday was a day for fountains both large and small. Buckingham Fountain is an impressive site to behold -- constructed in 1927 for the visiting Queen of England.

Our flight home from Chicago was a wrestling match, with Helen winning most rounds. This was the first time we regretted not being more agressive about the benadryl. Next time we will be armed!

Water Park

Water Park 1
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The great thing about visiting friends with kids is that they know where to find all the cool parks. Chicago has many wonderful parks for kids, and they are well utilized. I guess the density ensures a ready-made audience. These gentle fountains were a welcome reprieve from the humidity.

Chicago Backdrop

Chicago Backdrop
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The self-timer on the camera works!

Here we are with the Chicago skyline in the background. It was a gorgeous day on the miracle mile.

Baby Beluga

Baby Beluga
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The highlight of the Aquarium was seeing "Baby" Beluga live and in person. After many months of singing about the little white whale on the go, it was great to see the water squirtin' out of the spout in real time. They are elegant creatures.

Yangtze River Fish

Yangtze River Fish
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

On Wednesday we utilized our friends' family pass to the Shedd Aquarium and browsed through an fantastic array of fish, including many from China and Southeast Asia. Helen was equally captivated by the many stairs as she was the fish.

Chorus Line

Chorus Line
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Hannah and Olivia were so excited to meet "Baby Helen". Little did they realize that while Helen is two years younger, she is not so little! It was great fun to see the girls playing together. Helen is in awe of the twins' amazing toy supply, and we may not be able to get her to leave.

Family Portrait

Family Portrait
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

A bittersweet moment as we capture our final day with family. How wonderful it has been to share this time together. Since we are on two coasts, and in two countries, we treasure these vacations.

Cotinuing the theme of "family-on-the-go", we'll be stopping in Chicago on the way home to visit friends.

Carousel Cuties

Carousel Cuties
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

When in Rome... Since we are in the heartland, we decided to head out to the Eaton County Fair. As a former 4-H'r, nothing pleases me more than to wander around a pig barn. The girls survived the heat and enjoyed seeing all things furry. As for things whirling around, Helen and Izzy were cautiously enjoing themselves.

Stay off the Grass!

Stay off the Grass!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen is not so sure about grass, avoiding its prickly sensation whenever possible. Today however, we had a picnic lunch at Grand Ledge, and there was no choice but to embrace this foreign surface. It was a stimulating day of meeting many new relatives and Helen went non-stop.

Helen Hitches a Ride

Helen Hitches a Ride
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

In our ongoing series of Helen posing with walkers, we present this latest installment featuring Oma, and Great Grandma Kay.

We arrived in Lansing this afternoon and bought tickets for the minor league "Lansing Lugnuts" game, complete with fireworks. The Lugnuts won, and Grandma Kay can now say she's seen them play. It's nice to know that you can still do new things at 86!

Sitting by the Dock of the Bay

Sitting by the Dock of the Bay
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

A parting shot from Tawas. On Saturday we leave for the next part of our journey which takes us to East Lansing to visit Oma Charlene and Grandma Kay. As always, the last day was the most beautiful of all, and we will count the days until we find ourselves back at this magical place.

Eileen & Family Visit Tawas

Eileen & Family Visit Tawas
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

A wonderful twist of fate is that Chris' dear college friend Eileen lives just north of Tawas. She and her husband Paul and daughter Ava came to visit this afternoon. We had a good laugh because we were both in the "not having kids" category only a few years ago!

Ava is 10 months older than Helen. We can't imagine that in 10 months Helen will be the big girl that Ava is today. I guess we'll need to switch to a time lapse camera to capture the changes.

Watch out Tony Hawk!

Watch out Tony Hawk!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

What are older cousins for if not to pass on their talents? Lukas generously shared his love for skateboarding with Helen, who desperately wants to be doing whatever everyone else is doing. No matter that Helen is only recently walking, Apparently it is not too early to learn how to shred.

Ayers & McNaughton Clan

Ayers & McNaughton Clan
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The last time we took this family photo, Tanja (in the purple shawl) was pregnant with Lukas (standing at far right in first row.) How time flys!

We revel in having one of the largest tables in the dining hall to accommodate our increasing ranks.

Lovin' Spoonfull

Lovin' Spoonfull
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Everybody loves to feed Helen -- after all, she is such an enthusiastic participant in this activity. She has wowed the Tawas Beach Club with her enthusiastic display every evening.

Tonight we had our annual s'mores fest on the beach around a blazing bonfire. Sorry to say that Helen & Izzy were already in bed, so they'll have to wait to perfect this art form another year.

Walks on Water

Walks on Water
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Opa and Baba take Helen for a spin at the Tawas Beach Club picnic grounds.

It was one of those picture perfect days -- a little chilly, but wondrous in its beauty.

Noses!

Noses!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen and Izzy know where their noses are! Increasingly, they know where each other is too. It is the most wonderful feeling to have them both nestled in your arms.

Levitation

Levitation
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

More proof that Helen loves being in the water. The temperature of the lake hasn't deterred her from splashing about.

Yesterday we viewed for the first time our video of "gotcha day". It was so emotional to see those scenes again, and to think about how far we've come in just three months. As we enjoy this lovely summer we keep pinching ourselves and saying, "Helen, you are a long way from Hubei..."

Jja Ja Margie with Helen & Izzy

Jja Ja Margie with Helen & izzy
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Marge has a wonderful way with children so it's no surprise that both girls know whose lap to crawl into when they want some entertainment or love.

Fireworks

Fireworks
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Here is a photo not to be shared with our social worker! Our independence day weather has been cool and rainy, so it is unlikely that the contents of this box will be used until tomorrow.

Opa and his Grandchildren

Opa and his Grandchildren
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

At long last, Helen and Izzy have finally met! Elise, Ben & Izzy arrived from Uganda late last night. Helen is slightly bigger, but their 2-week difference in age is negligible on every front. We are having so much fun watching these two cousins interact as the world unfolds for them.

A Walk on the Beach

A Walk on the Beach
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We survived the red-eye to Michigan and arrived in time to enjoy an entire day of beautiful sunshine on the beach of Lake Huron. After so many summers in Tawas, it is a joy to see the next generation discovering its many charms.

Look Ma, No Plane!

Look Ma, No Plane!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Oops! Living so close to the airport, we waltzed to the gate just after boarding started to find out that our flight had been over-booked and that there was no room on the plane. So, we are taking a red-eye tonight (upgraded to first-class) to Michigan, which might end up being better for all of us!

Looks like we'll be spending Helen's 17-month birthday a little closer to home.