Maoduke

Ok, it's not a great photo, but he was hardly ever around, if he did show it was through the night to sleep with Fei.  So I hunted like crazy, but didn't have any photos.  Found this one on Fei's camera.

Our little man had to be put down today.  He was only seven.  He spent three days in the animal hospital and the decision was made today after the last report.  We spent way, way too much in the hopes that what ever it was that made him so sick was curable, they finally told us today there was little hope.  So with great sadness we say goodbye, rest in peace little guy.  You never did figure out how to be a house pet but we loved you anyways.

Not a baby anymore.

When we saw Mary and Charles recently, Mary told me all signs of babyhood were gone on Jia.  Since I still make the bottles, feed the bottles and change diapers, I disagree :)  However, there are moments that I have to agree.  She looks sooooo grown up on Lili's old scooter!

Clutching Sophie and trying to keep her warm.

Sophie snuggled into Fei's housecoat pocket.

We went to a park that Lili and Fei used to call the 'road park' after we picked up Sophie.  It's got little kids roads with signs on the track.  Last night they took scooters, skateboard and roller blades.  Such fun.  We also took dinner but none of them stopped to eat.  They ate in the car on the way home.  Sophie was with us, it was  bit cold out and she was shaking, so I carried her under my vest.  She did great meeting Mia when we got home but when we put her in Mia's cage it didn't go so great.  Sophie is in the travel cage for now.  She is so sweet.  I forgot how much the little ones sleep.  The girls just love holding her while she naps. 

 

Another camping trip done.

A flower for her best friend Nana.

Bubbles with Nana!

Jada is 21mo. and just home from China 3mo. ago.

We met Jada's parents at CNY when they had her referral and were getting ready to go.

Tug-a-war.  Girls first time playing and they really enjoyed it.

Jia really enjoyed it too!

Group shot from the All Island FCC Pic Nic.

Riding Nana's scooter, what could be better?!

Anna and Lili together at Camp Homewood.

Eric's doppleganger Erik.

Parksville Sandcastles.

Jia picks out her favorite.

Waterpark fun.

Jia and Hanna again.  It's really sweet to watch how excited Jia gets to see her Nana.

Everything feels whirlwind.  There isn't any time to slow down and just enjoy summer.  Kids are way too busy.  They don't slow down at all.  They just LOVE the freedom in the campgrounds to ride their bikes and they are off riding every minute they can.  We were out for four nights, I drove into work on Friday, we went to an FCC pic-nic on Sat. Catherina and Abigail stayed overnight on Sat. and then on Sunday, Catherine, Lili and I went to Quadra Island to pick up Anna from horse camp.  I wasn't actually at the campsite much.  Now we're home and I'm back to work and the weekend is done.  Worse, the summer break is almost half over!!!  Yikes.  Lili and Fei aren't missing school at all and they aren't happy with how fast it's going by either.  I still haven't made plans for August, still holding out hope for some slow and relaxing days at home or at local beaches.

We're picking Sophie up tonight.  It's fun to see the kids get so excited about new babies.  They've even tought Jia to say 'Sophie' (Soapie).   

Ruby

I love all of your comments.  I can rarely get my posts on your site.  I just wanted you to know that I do keep up with your blog and I'm totally anxious for you right now while you wait to travel for your daughter!  I'm hoping you'll blog from China!

Yes, the Columbia Ground Squirrels are like gophers, or prarie dogs.  Adorable.

I think Sophie looks like Stuart Little too, but we don't dare mention it to the girls...he's a boy, gasp and worse, he's a mouse! 

Sophie

We went last night to meet baby rattykins Sophie.  OMG is she ever sweet.  So tiny.  Fei was delighted to finally hold her.  She settled into her hands quite quickly and even took time to lick Fei's fingers and then did some grooming on her own face.  We get to take her home next Tuesday. 

Home

Hiking in Kootenay National Park

Campsite in Redstreak

This is the chicken take out place in Radium, with a yard full of Big Horn Sheep.

Mmmm...Okanagan Peaches!  We stopped at an orchard.  The field of peach trees smelled marvelous.

They're hard at work, making magic dust.  Yes, it's actually sifted ashes.  They'll find a way to play with anything.

I see you Mommie.

Columbia Ground Squirrels.  They were all around us at Kentucky/Allyne Lakes.

The girls are waiting for Ground Squirrels to poke their heads out of the holes so they could throw some dog food their way.

We couldn't believe how fabulous this spot was and we got it on a Friday! 

The big girls were playing and when Jia wanted to join in, Lili ran and got her a racket and birdie of her own.  She was thrilled with the game.

Fun with Lian.

Oh no Jia!  Don't hit baby May!!

She thought she was really getting away with something with the whole bag to herself.  Really no one liked the new cheese popcorn twists except her.

Here is our updated picture of Sophia.  We get her next Wed.  How stinkin' cute is she?!

After I fed Jia her bottle last night she layed quietly in my arms, then sighed and said "Jia home".  Aww, so sweet.  Everyone was thrilled to be home except me.  I wasn't so thrilled about having to come back to work.  I did miss Isabel and I'm looking forward to seeing her after work today.

The holiday was great.  Lots of fun and adventure.  Kudos to Lili and Fei for the amount of Teletubbies they had to watch.  We ended the trip with a visit to Cathryn, Marty, Jade and Lian's place.  They graciously let us park in front of their house with our trailer.  Jia had a riot there playing with Jade, while Lili, Fei and Lian kept busy on their own.

Then on Sunday we stopped to see Mary, Charles, Jade and baby May, who've just moved to Abbotsford.  They're only a few blocks away from Cathryn and Marty.  Really is a small world.  May and Jia weren't exactly thrilled with each other, there was a lot of screaming and fighting.  Jia even hit May a few times.  Ug.  They wanted what ever the other had in their hand.  Mary kept saying they obviously weren't going to be the best of friends.  I have to say though that Jia usually ignores other babies, or plays near them, she doesn't normally pay attention to what they're holding or try to interact with them.  So I think they could become friends one day. 

Not a lot planned for the next couple days.  Time to just be home and sort out the trailer so that we can head out again on Thursday.

Leaving Radium

We've had three very peaceful days here.  Got a full service site so have been able to use our a/c, which was certainly nice when we hit 32 yesterday.  Today we had wind, rain and it was still 28.  Yesterday there was rain and thunder while we were in the hot pools.  I'm the only one that didn't care for trying to relax in the hot water while being rained on.  Ended the debate about where the hot rub should go when we get home!  Eric wants it on our upper deck off our bedroom, I'd like it under cover, so I'm thinking in the covered area in the back yard.  Did I mention yet that Eric got us a hot tub?

Hey, according to Blogger, this blog has had over 29000 views.  I thought that was a bit shocking.

There isn't much here in Radium.  We managed ok here but prices are crazy high and we're good to head on.  We did visit the candy store here yesterday on the way to the pools.  Most amazing selection of candy we've ever seen.  Jia has never been in a candy store, heaven only knows how she knew what was going on, but she toured the store on a mission, must have done at least six loops, touching everything she could.  Seriously out of control.  We thought it was funny, fellow working there not so much.  She was like a kid in a candy store, hee hee.  Big girls had a hard time picking one thing.  Jia finally grabbed an orange tootsiepop and thrust her arm up in the air and declared "Dis on".  I was pleased it wad something she could have and it was only .39c.

It's raining again this evening, so its a movie night,Toystory 3.  Not sure where we're heading tomorrow.  The adventure continues...

Travel Pictures

Bear Lake

Jasper National Park

Waterfowl Lake Campground

Kootenay National Park

Radium Hot Pools.

Enchanted Forest