Judah's First Birthday in America

October brought Judah's sixth birthday (I am going to start writing Judah though other posts say Jude and we still call him that a lot)----and his first birthday home in America with his family! He waited so very patiently for this day (okay, he did ask every so often "when's my happy birthday?", but who says he didn't have siblings reminding him?) to arrive. After going through three of his older siblings' birthdays, he was more than ready for HIS birthday to come.

We had a breakfast of "Mickey Mouse pancakes", thanks to Mom and Dad, and it was such a joy to watch this boy experience his long awaited "happy birthday".  Later was CAKE!!!

The Birthday Boy

My handsome little bros. Note the yellow car from Soren. He was excited!

Oh boy! A Pooh Bear pre-school book and some other Pooh Bear things from Esther!

Patiently waiting 

Big sister curiosity

Planes toy!

Soren lights the cake

I love that smile.

Blow!

Mom and Dad with their little boy

Happy siblings

Happy birthday, Shin Shong. We love you! 

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."-Pslam 139:14

3 Weeks Home with Jude

Puzzles on the front lawn

Do you see what I see?

Mom and the crew

Circle Time!

Saying "Ni Hao" to Thumper!

This kid loves the playground!

 Mandarin class on the playground

Driving cousin Elin around in the Jeep

Let's go fly a kite---and a Chinese one at that!

Watching funny videos of Mom, Dad, and Jude in China

Jude loves the pool!

Mother's Day ice cream treat

Washing Dad's work truck

 Whistle while you work!

Bikes and swimsuits :)

School time with Mom

Brothers busy at work

Smiles

The Chopstick Band!

Watching Sören's baseball game

At the park

Sören practicing his swings---good job this year, Team Bees!

Multi-tasking:  Driving while flying a kite

Mmmmmm...popcorn

New Family Record: 4 bowls of salad in one night!

Yummy applesauce!

Jude's got an arm! :)

At 3rd base after Sören's game: Someone wanted to play with the team during the game.  We're not gonna name names.

Brothers!

 Happy Mother's Day, mommy!

 So Happy

Home-Oh-So-Sweet-Home

       Balloons, banner, and a meal waiting for us from dear friends!

                                    Balloons bring smiles and laughter

           Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.......Recovering from the 15 hour time change

                                            All together at long last!

                                                           Ni Hao!
                        

                                                      Lookout!!!

            The slide was a little wet, but welcome to Washington Jude!


Mom was overjoyed when Jude was finally convinced it's okay to run around on the grass barefoot!  

                                              Playing a duet with big Sis

                          First time in the sprinkler with Coach Esther

                                           Not quite tall enough for the bike yet!

                    Cheers & applause for drinking first glass of milk

                                                         Joyful Jude
                                                         

                                                How to Pig-Pile Dad: 101

                                                        Favorite Food


Esther played soccer, but Jude showed us it's more fun to pick up the ball and use it to knock over the cones

         Lillian went with friends to her AWANA awards night-good job Lil'!

                                    This kid loves to make a funny face

                                                  Can't. stop. laughing.

                                   We've got another ball player in the family

                                                     The next Ichiro!

                                                  The Three Amigos

                                               Contemplating what to do next

                       Thank you Auntie Sylvia & Uncle Jim for the sprinkler fun!

                                      Practicing those ABC's & 123's

                                                      Crazy Brothers

                                                          Bowling

                                      Blessed by a sunny, warm day!

                                    An old toy (to us) can provide hours of fun...

                                               ....and another hour of fun

                                                    Mozart & Mom

                                                            Pictures say it all...

 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your Name give glory, because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
                                                     Psalm 115:1