Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas

Our greatest blessing this Christmas was to be together!  In the same house and in the same country – all together! 

Every year I tell the kids it’s going to be a small Christmas and every year it’s not :)  I feel extremely blessed this Christmas – to be all together.

First Christmas Ever!

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7AM the Ledfords were here and Christmas started.

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This year Joy got to match the big girls

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Joy’s favorite present this year – a French Fry pillow from Becca and Blake

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The boys :)

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The happy chaos

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Merry Christmas everyone!!

Friday, December 22, 2017

Longest Day EVER~

Started bright and early, breakfast and then a three hour van ride to Hong Kong.  We had to go through Customs and Immigration at Hong Kong – super easy.  We loved the ride to Hong Kong. 

Last picture with the Christmas Tree in the lobby.

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Last picture with Connie before we were off.

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Hong Kong Airport – see the strolling Santa?

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KaiKai and his Baba

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That is a very long flight.  Ugh.  But we survived.

Handed the immigration officer our brown packet.  He went through everything and stamped all of our passports.  Unbelievable – all of the work for months has been to get that stamp!  Now to wait for his SSN to come and his Certificate of Citizenship!

Waiting in Dallas to board the plane to Louisville.  Grateful for those hours in Dallas to go through Immigrations and Customs and get something to eat.

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Grandpa, Grandma, and Jessi meet us at the airport at midnight.  US Soil!  Wahoo!!!

Welcome to the US Kai!

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Visa and Shopping with Ann

Today we received the all important Visa packet and Kai’s passport.

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In the afternoon I went shopping with Ann, a local guide.  That was so fun!  Having someone who speaks the language and knows where to get good prices on things – invaluable!  The thing I enjoyed the most was just being another human walking on the street.  Obviously, I stand out with my red hair and white skin, but to be one of the many crossing streets, going in and out of buildings like a local – I absolutely loved it!

Guangzhou is beautiful.   Flowers and trees everywhere. 

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Chill day

We kept today chill.  Executive lounge for breakfast and dinner.  Lunch at McDonald’s – which is next door.  Jason went back to the electronic wholesaler to do some more shopping by himself.  He is a subway expert!  He bought a couple of things while I tidied up our place, then Kai and I played for a bit.  Bob the Builder in Mandarin has been on all day long :)  Followed by Boonie Bears (which is his ALL TIME FAV!!)

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McDonald’s is so different here!  That sink is right next to where you order.  Love the kiosk (cause you can choose English!).  Different items on the menu.  Kai has no idea what a hamburger is!  He just eats the bun and leaves the hamburger.

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Hanging out with Mama

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My creations – I was so proud :)

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Some observations about Kai:

He is a wonderful mimic – he will perfectly mimic the sound of Jason’s sneeze or the door closing.

He loves fruit!

He’s been sleeping with us – and he cuddles in like he’s been doing this his whole life when I know for a fact, he had a single bed to himself.

He isn’t tactilely defensive – I was worried about that.  It would have been terrible for Braille!  So, yeah!

He has the softest hands and feet!  He won’t sleep in socks.

He loves to be tickled!

He loves to be twirled!

He has the most precious giggle and laugh!

He’s a happy boy.

He hates nuts.