BIRTHDAY GIRL IN CALIFORNIA

    "A smile can brighten the darkest day."

Today our Grace Yan Cui is 8 years old.  I wish we could be spending   
the day with her, but it just wasn't possible.  They are having a party today, so I know she is having a great celebration.

We sent shopping when we were in CA in July.  She showed me a few things that she wanted for her birthday.  I hope they arrived in time for today!

She is such a beautiful, smart little girl.  I wish I could spend more time with her.

Oh my, she loves to play games.

Being a big sister to four brothers is hard work!

A strawberry lover, just like her Mam!

Loves the beach!

Did I ever tell you that she loves to shop!

Climbing a fallen redwood tree.

My girl loves to do so many things.  She recently finished soccer camp.  Playing in the goal is her favorite spot.  She likes tennis, is a great swimmer, learning to golf, taking Chinese lessons,sew, cook, play the piano, gymnastics, loves to read and loves school.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!  Love you and miss you so much.

One Dozen

"Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again every time a child is born."

Yes, we are having grandchild #12 in February!  As always, I am so excited for a new addition to our family.  Troy and Bethany are expecting this angel on February 14th.  My birthday is the 11th, so I might have  a wonderful gift this year.

The told us on our vacation in June and it has been a very hard secret to keep!  The girls, Camryn and Sadie, are so excited. They are telling everyone.  Most times they want a sister, but a few times it has been a brother.  We will find out on September 1 and I will be letting you know!!!

                         
                     Sadie is 2 1/2.

Camryn is 6 1/2.

A Birthday for SAMUEL

                          "Children make life important."


   We did FT with Samuel today to wish him a Happy Birthday.  His birthday is tomorrow and he will be getting lots of calls tomorrow, so we decided to be a day early.  He is getting so big and will be in first grade this year.  He just completed a week of soccer camp.

    He also loves baseball.  We were there in the spring for his first baseball practice.

  He was participating in a basketball camp when we were there in July.  I guess he loves most every sport there is.  He also swims, golfs and plays tennis.

   Anyway, Happy Birthday Samuel!  We love you and miss you so much.  Looking forward to November when you will be traveling to Pennsylvania.