Party party!

This weekend was both my birthday and a party thrown by a fellow adoptive Taiwan mom with three other adoptive Taiwan moms (and dads).


Ok now for photos - Btw I'm trying something new with my photos. I have no idea if it will work but I'm going to give it a try. Btw the movie of Samantha I promised has been harder to do than I expected. If anyone can tell me how to do it that'd be great!!

Lori's birthday

Kids at party

Tiff's party


First, my birthday was good, if not exactly lively. I haven't been feeling very well but my girls made my day extra special. I got up to a table decorated by Sierra with flowers and Happy Birthday signs all over the place and a made to order breakfast. Then we had a mini party in the morning at Amber's house since that's when Logan feels best. I had made 4 dozen cupcakes -from scratch - for bake sale at school Friday, so I saved out four for my birthday morning party (although Sierra tried to tell me I couldn't keep any because they were for the school! HA!). Since Logan's white blood cell count finally came up we were able to take Samantha for the first time in two weeks (when it was under 100 it was considered life threatening and babies are off limits) and the three of them had a great time. He really loves his cousins and has been so bored that he got a little crazy. For dinner J made me steak and crab, which was yummy, and chicken and potatoes for the girls. I got several lovely homemade cards and presents from both Sierra and Samantha. Samantha loves to color and she made me several cards and Sierra loves to design fancy cards for me so I got two very fancy ones from her. Since Sierra was two years old she has given me gifts from her own stuff (her toys or knick knacks basically) - this is the first year that she did not do that! Everything she gave me was either bought or made and she even spent her own money, which she saved. My baby is growing up!

The other weekend party was a get-together with four other families who also adopted from Taiwan. It was great to finally meet everyone. I have "known" Megan since my very first day going onto the adoptions boards (May 2007) and "met" Jackie a few months later and Tiff just after that and only got to know Ramona recently through Tiff.

We had met Megan in Taiwan since we picked up our girls the same day a few hours a part and then we got together the next day with several other adoptive families. It was great to see Kimi again. The last time we saw her she was glaring at everyone (it was a very cute glare because she is just adorable) but Sunday she was sweet, polite and very loving - giving both Sierra and Samantha hugs and holding onto Sierra's hand and asking Sierra to help her on the slide several times. Although her mom said she has a problem sharing she did happily push Samantha on a tricycle, which was good because Samantha's legs weren't long enough for her feet to reach the pedals!

Although we did not meet Jackie until Sunday we had met Lucy in Taiwan. When we went to pick up Samantha Jackie was waiting for Lucy so I made a point of asking to see Lucy when we were at SLC and her personality is as strong as ever. She is very independent, silly and adventurous. Sunday while she was alternating between chasing and running from the dog she got both me, my husband and Sierra to pick her up at various times so she could look at the dog from above. She also climbed into and onto several things so her climbing reputation is fully intact and quite amazing!

We also did not meet Ramona until Sunday but we had met and talked to Jaden at SLC. We did not know who Ramona was at the time but Jaden caught our attention while we were touring SLC and she has been in our hearts ever since. She was very quiet there but wanted us to pick her up (which we were not allowed to do) but we did bend down and talk to her and she gave us a big laugh - mostly for Sierra I think. It was great to see her doing so well Sunday. She was running around, playing and having a great time.

Gracyn was very quiet but very persistent in attempting to tell me what she wanted. At one point she insisted I pick her up and she kept pointing until I had taken her from outside to the kitchen for a snack and another time she did the same until I helped her onto the slide several times. She is very, very sweet and seems very delicate. She hasn't been home for very long but once she starts fully talking I think her mom and dad and big brother are in for some trouble. She's very cute and very persistent and there's nothing like a strong willed beauty!!

Tiff threw a great party. I haven't been feeling well so I didn't think we'd stay very long but we were the last to leave! Sierra had such a great time playing with all of the babies and little boys, jumping in the bounce house and playing in the over-stocked playroom that she asked when we can go back. She also announced she would like more baby sisters and maybe a brother too (Not gonna happen!)! I know Samantha had a great time because she played on her own more than she's ever done before. She especially liked the baby size piano (she loves to "pay pan" and asks at home CONSTANTLY to play our full size piano) and she was fascinated with the realistic looking kitchen. She was frustrated though that water would not come out and spent the afternoon asking where was the water and even after we left she was still asking. It was too funny.