Updates?

I've been trying to post new pics and a LONG update post, but I can't! Why won't my pictures upload..I', not over the size limit or anything...THEY JUST WON"T UPLOAD!!! I'll keep trying. I really haven't forgotten.

Can you believe these BIG kids are mine?

Where has the time gone? Here are the newest pictures of the kids. Ammon's school picture from this year (2nd grade/7 1/2 years) and Sariah's 5 year pictures.

Homecoming 2009

I had a good time helping Charlene get ready for Homecoming. I got to do make-up and hair. She looked beautiful and had a good time!

SOCCER!!

And of course...the BEST SPORT EVER!!!

This is Ammon's 3rd year (U8) and Sariah's 1st year (U6). I am the assistant coach for Sariah's team, we've had a lot of fun!

Catching Up

I'm really sorry I have not posted very much since Charlene has been here. We have been VERY busy. Here are some updates:

We visited Young's Dairy the weekend after Charlene arrived.






School Started August 26th. Here are 1st day of school pictures








We've had some fun YW activities. Here are some pictures from our Road Rally Scavenger Hunt.






I made flowers for Greg and Carey's Wedding

Greg and Carey Miller

Soccer

Ammon and Sariah are both playing soccer this year. Sariah's team is the funny bunch ball group, just like most U6 teams are, and Ammon's team is finally to the point where the kids are starting to understand the strategy of the game! It's so much fun, but it very time consuming.

Safe Arrival in the US

Charlene made it to the US safely. She had an uneventful trip from China to Chicago, but that's where things got a little crazy.



Her original flight to Dayton was cancelled 20 minutes before departure and she was told that there were no open seats on any flights until Tuesday. WHAT!?!? Are you kidding me?!?! I was so angry. She was an unaccompanied minor, from another country, who understood very little English and you're going to tell her she can't get out of Chicago until Tuesday???? I don't think so!!

After much calling around and us being VERY concerned for her and almost deciding to drive to Chicago to get her she was finally put on a flight coming into Dayton late Sunday night. Everything is good, right??

WRONG....



The 2nd flight they had her on was delayed in 10 minute incriments from around 10pm on. She finally arrived in Dayton at 2am Monday morning. All is well now, right???

Well kinda...


It seems that it's no problem getting luggage from China to Chicago, but once in Chicago, the airlines are unable to keep luggage with the correct flights and passengers. About 90% of the people on the flight Charlene came in on did not get their bags.

BUT...

After everything, Charlene made it here safely, now has her luggage, opened a bank account, and is registerd for school!

We finished Charlene's Bedroom

Jorie, Megan, Josie and Bekah came over on Saturday and helped paint Charlene's bedroom and dresser. Here are some pictures of the finished room. We sent them to Charlene and she says the room is beautiful. We have enjoyed fixing up the bedroom for her.

Talented

Charlene is very talented. Here are a few paintings she has done. Ammon hopes she will help him learn more about paintng. She says since she started high school she hasn't has as much time to paint, but she still enjoys it.