Our trip to the "Windy City"

Sunday morning the kids and I took off for a road trip to Chicago. We went straight to the Brookfield Zoo. We had a GREAT time! The highlight was definitely the new dinosaur exhibit. After the zoo we headed to our favorite Marriott in Rosemont where we ordered Giordano's pizza. After dinner we enjoyed some hot tub and pool time. Then back to the room for popcorn and a movie. On Monday morning we went to McDonalds for breakfast and a much needed Carmel Mocha for me:-) Then off to Liam's doctors appointment. His x-rays looked great. His bone is really healing and filling in nicely. We go back on August 14th and will probably schedule the surgery to remove his plate at this time. It was a nice little getaway for the kids and I.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Roller Skating...

I took the kids skating this week. It was a work out for me just getting the kids skates all on properly. They had fun and want to go back again soon. I was nervous letting Liam skate but he did fine. All the kids (except Landan) spent a good amount of time on their bottoms. The only reason Landan wasn't on his bottom was because he wasn't even brave enough to go off the carpeting and out into the rink. LOL! He did NOT want to fall and be embarrassed. He says he will try it next time. I even did a few laps around the rink. Yes...I attended a few all night skates back in the day:-) Leytan was impressed and though I was a fast skater. Trust me, I am so NOT great...he is just easily impressed.

Soccer...

If you look closely...you can see Leytan's tongue sticking out. He must have been really concentrating:-)


The spring soccer season has come to an end. Landan had his last game on Saturday and Leytan last night. They both made improvements this year and most of all had fun. Here are a few of pics:-)

Landan is number 33...look at that hair!

Deep River Water Park

Lorelle looking SO serious! I hardly ever see this side of her. Isn't she beautiful?!

We made a road trip here on Monday. The kids had a GREAT time! Click here to view a video montage:-) The toilet bowl slide was definitely the favorite. Enjoy!

My silly boy, whose smile I adore:-)

5 years ago today...

June 6, 2004...

I was handed the most serious, scared and absolutely beautiful 13 mo. old baby girl.  Yang Xiao Min and 7 of her orphanage friends made a 3 hour van ride north from Yangjiang City to meet their parents.  We anxiously waited their arrival at the Civil Affairs building in Guangzhou, China.  One by one the babies were carried into the room and handed to us.  It was such a life changing moment for me and one I will never forget.  We named her Lilyan Xiao Min Perry and she is one of my greatest gifts from God.  Today we celebrated that amazing day by going to the Great Wall Chinese restaurant for lunch, swimming and of course, a cake.  She picked Tinkerbell this year.  She will always be our "Princess"!  Love you Lily Bug!!!

June 6, 2009...

Let Me Hold You Longer...

August 2008...

June 2009...

I can't believe it is June already and the kids are out of school.  The school year went fast and I am sad that they are all now officially a grade older.  And can you believe the "triplets" will be at school all day in August and it will be Landan's last year in Elementary School?! UGH:-(  After reading the children's book...Let Me Hold You Longer, by one of my favorite authors, Karen Kingsbury a couple years ago, I have tried to not only document my kids firsts but to also document some of their lasts.  Here are pictures of the kids I took on their first day of school in August 2008 and then again on their last day on June 2, 2009.  They have really grown and changed quite a bit in the last 9 months.   I am learning to cherish every day and each precious moment.  

August 2008...  

      

 

June 2009...