Springtime...

It has been too long since I've last posted. Here is a photo of Lena from Easter - still in her pj's.

Holiday fun...

We had a wonderful holiday season with Grandma & Grandpa. We visited San Diego Zoo, Santa, and spent a few days relaxing poolside in Palm Desert. We also enjoyed traditional Christmas festivities, cookie baking, leaving milk and cookies for Santa, decorating the tree, gift giving, and many delicious meals! We had a great 2011. Lena has come such a long way in the last year! We can't wait to see what 2012 brings us.

Lena's baptism

Lena was baptised at St. John's church on 12/18/11. Her godparents, Bobby and Christine, came out from NC for the event. We are thrilled that they will soon be moving to Northern California and will be a lot closer to us. Other family members included Aunt Mary Beth, Uncle Erik, Uncle Dan, Nana, and cousins Alivia, Lillie, Johnny, and Ethan. Here are some photos to enjoy...

Then and Now...

One year ago (2010) and yesterday (Gotcha Day 2011)

Re-adoption

We had our court date today for our re-adoption. This is an optional step for international adoptions although it is recommended as it will allow us to obtain a CA birth certificate for Lena. Yeah! Now, off to clean the house for our ONE-YEAR visit from the social worker which is tomorrow! This IS THE LAST step in our paperchase! THAT is exciting (the last step part, not the cleaning the house). Here are some photos from today...

Happy Halloween

Lena had lots of fun this month preparing and celebrating Halloween. Here are a few of the latest photos...

Moon Festival

Chinese Moon Festival is one of the most celebrated holidays in China. It is a time for families to be together and many travel great distances to reunite. The traditional food for mid-autumn festival is the moon cake. We gathered with the local FCC group at a park and had mooncakes and a lantern parade. As you can see, Lena loved it. She was very interested in the moon which was beautiful that night. We'll remember to take photos of the moon next time!

Trefren Family Photos

This summer on our trip to Washington in July we had family photos taken with the Trefren side of the gang. Our family comes together at Semiahmoo over the 4th of July each year from Australia, California, and Blaine, WA. Here are a few of our favorites...

New shirt - she loves it!

Lena got a new shirt in the mail a few days ago from Nana and Grandpa. Can you tell she likes it?
Thank you! Xie Xie!

ECHO complete!

Today Lena had her ECHO at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. We got the green light to come back in one year. They are going to watch one artery but the Doc said "not to worry". She also said that she thought that the surgeon in Shanghai who did her heart repair (asd/vsd) did an excellent job. All around good news! Our little sweetheart was a ROCK STAR! Usually children under 3 are sedated for this test but our calm little toddler sat quietly throughout the test. The tech even commented that she "sets the bar pretty high" - that's our Lena!

Here is a photo from today...(blurry but Mom and Lena are lying down for the test)

One year ago...

One year ago we received a call from our adoption agency CCAI saying..."Would you like to meet your daughter?"

What a day it was seeing her face for the first time!

Here is a photo of Lena today from our dinner out in celebration of our good fortune one year ago!

The photo below is the first glipse we had of our Lena Jane.

More summer photos...

Summer time...

Here are a few of the latest photos of our little Lena. So far this summer she has enjoyed the following:

1. Her first sailing trip
2. Attending the Semiahmoo Friday night BBQ complete with band and dance floor
3. Photo session with the Trefren side of the family (more photos coming soon)
4. Blaine 4th of July parade
5. 4th of July BBQ with family in Blaine, WA/Semiahmoo Resort

A few more fun facts about Lena:

1. She still loves blueberries and can put away a whole carton if you have enough
2. Her favorite book is Moo Moo Brown Cow
3. Her favorite tv is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
4. She has grown into a 2T and size 5 shoe - YEAH!