The New Apartment Tour- Part one

computer is slow tonight! So this will be brief. More later in next post. Above is the guest bathroom.

The hallway- on left is guest bathroom, then guest room/office. Straight is master bedroom, on right is the kids room.

Looking at living room then kitchen.

Looking from kitchen

Kitchen (with new Ayi)

View from kitchen

Iowa

Mom and I near the Mississippi River! We have the same smile.

How fun it was for us "city folk" to go to the Iowa countryside for two weeks this summer! My parents live very close to a lot of my Aunts and Uncles. So it was fun to catch up. Here is all of us with Uncle Ross.

Salome with Great Grandma Tweedy.

My cousin Trevor and I spent a lot of our early years together. In fact, some of my first memories ever are with him (and we got into a lot of trouble together too!). So it was really fun to get our two toddlers together. Here are James and Salome playing in the back of the pick up truck so Trev and I could chat together.

Great Grandma with all but two of her Great Grandchildren. Aunt Cindy and Uncle Kerm hosted a fun Birthday party one night!

We took a day trip to Hannibal, Missouri to see where Mark Twain was inspired to write many of his books. It was soooo hot! But it kept the crowds away and we had a great time! Here we are with Tom and Becky.

Salome loved the flowers at my Parent's house.

Oh America! This summer was truly great. It is the first time I have really felt like I have two homes- one in Asia and one in the Midwest. Having so many friends and family who love us is a true gift. Thanks to all who made this summer possible! We love you!

Des Monies

This summer we had a great time in Des Monies, Iowa! Joab's sister Elly and husband Fred live there and we had a mini family reunion for a few days there with the family that lived close. Above is Christy Grandma doing what she does best- loving her Grandkids.

We also visited the Living History Farms. For my city kids this was really fun! Here is Salome with the pigs.

Oh to can food! I love to can! This kitchen was amazing to see.

We also went to see the State Capitol Building. Here we are "standing" in Henry County. This is where Emily parents live.

Asa- always looking to make me laugh.

The inside was really cool! Both temperature wise and historically! It was over 100+F outside and the kids were dying. But really liked the Capitol and visiting Joab's cousin's business 8/7 Central which is very close to the State Capitol.

After Des Monies we traveled to Ames Iowa to see good friends the Boettgers. Our Camera got lost somewhere in our car and were not able to capture any memories there! So sad! But thank you Laura Lynn and Andy. Time with you is always so special.

Minneapolis- I love you!

Oh Minneapolis! Home Sweet Home in so many ways! We were so thankful to stay a little over a week there this summer. Above is my "little" brother Louie in his office showing my kids the ropes. Asa especially took a liking to it! Louie and Shannon let us stay with them for the week we were in Minneapolis. That was sooo nice! Thanks guys.

Kids by the Mississippi River (I had to tell them to embrace)

Great friends Dave and Cheri to have known us and loved us for a long time.

Staebell kids and Meyer kids at breakfast. Dina Staebell makes some amazing food! Thanks for hosting us!

September 1= First day of school

September 1 is always the first day of school here! Miriam is now in third grade, Asa in the last year of preschool and Salome is still at home with me. They are "posing" in front of our new apartment building! More pictures to come soon!

Part Three of Four- The wedding

We had a lot of fun helping Anna and Dieter get ready for their wedding on August 13! We had prayed for nice weather and it was a perfect day! Above is Joab realizing some day his flower girls will probably be brides!

The stunning couple

Anna worked with an amazing costume designer to make this dress!

Cute Cute Cute

Now all the siblings are married!

Cousin Coby came. Our favorite Chinese Cowboy (he used to live here). I told them to act like cowboys and I would take their picture. Here is what they came up with.

For the wedding they roasted a hug hog. The next day Uncle David sawed open the head and took out the brains. This was probably the coolest thing Asa saw all summer! It was the grossest thing I saw all summer.

We love you Anna and Dieter! Happy Wedding!

Part Four of Four- Chicago

Salome plays in the sand for the first time!


Hello Blog Faithful!

WOW- this summer I talked to many of you who follow this blog! So grateful you would take the time to connect with what we are doing here in China Land.

Hoping this week to blog about this summer. Also: moving this week, training in a new house helper, finishing Miriam's summer school homework and connecting with many friends before school starts (on Sept 1). SO not sure how much time I will have! But to be sure- I will get it done sometime soon!

There were four "parts" to our summer. The first - two weeks in Iowa with my parents. The second- a week in Des Monies with friends and family. The third- a week in Minnesota at a family wedding. The fourth- a trip to Chicago!

Part Four Chicago.

After Anna's wedding (Joab's sister) we drove the 6 or so hours to Chicago Land. We love staying at Laura and Nate Jennison's house! The food, fellowship, kids (a total of nine when we are all together) makes for some crazy fun!

At Lake Michigan. We did take Asa out eventually.

Miriam's turn

We flew stand by out of Chicago. Joab and Miriam were able to get on the flight the first time we tried (and flew business class!!!). I stayed behind with Salome and Asa. Laura made it very fun to stay behind! We had a picnic at the park!

I call these boys the twins. They were born on the same day almost six years ago. I told them to stand next to each other so I could take a picture. Here is what they came up with!

I am a city girl. I loved this park as we played with kids from: Bosnia, Mexico, African American and mine from China :). Here is Laura making it fun with tag.

It is strange to call both China and America home. Truly we saw and felt that this year! More to come soon!