Wagon on the Wild Side

We made a trip out to Underwood Farms with our friends Doug and Andrea and their adorable twin daughters, Emma and Sydney. The goats, the rabbits, the ducks and the roasted corn didn't hold a candle to riding in the wagon with the girls. They were packed in like sardines but that didn't seem to deter them. We were asked several times that day if the girls were triplets and once when we said no, one mom actually breathed a sigh of relief followed by a, "Thank goodness, I don't know how you could do it!" Then she pushed off with her two kids in tow. Jemma and the girls wanted to get their faces painted and Jemma chose the balloons - which were fun to smudge immediately after...

Neigh to the Pony Ride

The pony ride at Underwood Farms seemed like a grand idea, that is, until it was actually time to get saddled in. Jemma waved her right hand frantically while moaning, "No, no, no, no!" so we didn't push it. Emma and Sydney seemed to enjoy the ride without their triplet buddy along.

Pumpkin Pushing

Jemma was appropriately dressed in her coveralls and shades for the IvanHOEdown held at the Ivanhoe Elementary School in our neighborhood. We pushed pumpkins, ate tamales and tostadas and ran around with our favorite pals.

Mug Shots

Grace Li Qi, Shasha and Jemma take the best pictures.

USAA Reunion

At the USAA picnic, we gathered with numerous families who have worked with the great Norman to adopt their children from China. USAA supplied the balloons and face paint, we supplied the kids and food. It was a wonderful day at the park - perfect weather and perfect playmates.

Have Playground, Will Play!

Jemma loves to play on the swings, the slide, anything that climbs and with anyone who will climb with her! Who are those adorable girls anyway?

Hungry Girls!

MMMM, chicken leg. Burp.

What's up Pussycat?

Jemma wanted to get her face painted at the picnic - little did she know that she'd become a kitty cat for the rest of the day. She was feline groovy for the rest of the day!

One- Year Reunion

We celebrated with many of the people we traveled to China with by gathering down at Redondo and Manhattan Beaches for a fun-filled weekend. It was Jemma's first time on the beach and at first, the cold crashing waves really scared her but then she dove right in, well, not exactly dove, more like tip-toed... That night, we all gathered in a church hall where one of the dad's serves as an assistant minister, and we had a big feast of, you guessed it, Chinese Food! The next morning we regrouped at Polywog Park near the duckpond and playground and had hours of fun in the sun. It was a blast reconnecting with our old travel buddies and astonishing how much all of these girls (and one boy) have grown.