home sweet home

 Hello everyone,

 Just an update to let you know how things are going. There was quite a welcoming party at the airport . There were three other families coming in on that flight with childeren from china so you can imagine how wonderfully crowded the little e-ville airport was! I think we stressed the homeland security lady out. ha. Thank you to all that came out to meet us it was great to see everyone. Ava did great at the airport, she was friendly even with a large crowd of english speaking caucasians all smiling at her. ha ha.  The last leg of our flight from detroit was very turbulant. It was kind of like being on the raven at holiday world. If i ever return to China I'm taking the slow BOAT !

  Ava had her first basketball game the night after we got back (big brother Keagan). Then a football game sat. . She loves being out in a place with action. The Aces won their football game and Ava got her picture in the newspaper wearing her #1 aces fan shirt. I took Ava down to the practice field the thursday after we got back and introduced her to the team ( they had been asking about her).

  Of course her brothers think she hung the moon. They both can get her giggling at the drop of a hat. She was peeking around me at church this morning trying to get their attention. We had her baptised this morning and she wore a white silk dress we had made for her at Tiffanies in Nanchung China.

Ava at her cousins birthday party

ava at her baptism

  Ava has had issues with this day night thing however. Last night was the first time she has slept most of the night. Of coarse with China being 13 hrs different she thinks she should be up at night and sleep during the day. Hopefully last night is a sign she is turning the corner. This little girl has brought a light into all of our lives, we are truley blessed. I'll post a few pictures.  love Tim and Kelly

The big red couch

The group got together for pictures on the big red couch. You can imagine what a circus that was. But the mission was accomplished. Ava had haagan das ice cream after lunch today and was all smiles. Here are a few more pics.

                                                           love Tim and Kelly

big red couch

ready for my picture

the whole group

eating haagan das

buddhist temple

Good morning,

yesterday we went to a buddhist temple. Very interesting. The monks performed a blessing ceremony for the babies. Our local guide is buddhist so we were able to get an insight into their customs and beliefs.  The burning incense about did Kelly in, she is so ready for the smell of america.ha

 Today we make an attempt at getting all the babies pictures on the red couch at the hotel lobby.  Wish us luck! This afternoon we go to the U.S. consulate to have Ava swore in as a U.S. citizen and get her visa to the states. Tonight we have to send our checked luggage and we leave for the airport at 0530 in the morning. America here we come.

  A big thanks to my mom and dad who have had two teenage boys for two weeks(your almost done).ha Thanks to danny and pam who have helped entertain them on the weekends. Thank you to everyone who has lent us their prayers during this journey!

Tomorrow we get into Evansville at 355.  We can't wait to see everyone!  You all can come to the house after, but we are holding the baby hostage for American food and ice in our drinks!!!!!  So if you don't have food your in big trouble!!  HAHA! 

Boys just one more day and we'll be a family forever with your little sister!!!!   We can't wait for you to meet her and get all our lives back to a little bit of normal!  See you in Evansville!!!!!!

I'll post a few pictures  and maybe a few this eve then we are on our way.  love Tim and Kelly

mom and Ava by the waterfall in the lobby

blessing of the babies

looking at the coy fish

Ava

Ava and dad

tai restaraunt

hello america, Last night we tried out a tai restaurant and i'm pleased to report it was good. Of course you could have gotten fried scorpion but i opted for the iron beef plate spicy and was not disappointed  The waitress did come around prior to the meal and attempt to sell you napkins! We were warned ahead of time so we brought our own. Whats funny about that is it was a nice restaurant  Some of our group ordered papa johns pizza for lunch yesterday and there was a communication problem. One family ordered a veggie pizza, and what they got was the crust with sauce only, no cheese.ha .  Ava slept most the night last night. She is pleasant and seems to go with the flow. She loves to shop. We tried out the pool yesterday. Ava loved the beach ball and is making an effort to play catch.  Today we go to a buhdist temple. so hopefully more pictures later.   hey dad, if you wouldn't mind looking at the electrical cord on the fire place blower for me. It needs insulated. I replaced it last winter but the cord isn't fully wrapped(it's unplugged). These little things are poping in my head now that we are preparing to come home.  Thanks and love you all going to check out the pool mom and Ava taking in the rays my new favorite toy dad and Ava taking in the sights

Shopping Day

 Shopping day,

 Today we went to a jade store and then a pearl wholesale outlet. I purchased Ava a set of pearls with matching ear rings for her wedding day( 30 yrs from now and only with my approval).  just the thought gives me heartburn. ha ha .

Tonight we are going with gill and some of the other couples to a tai resteraunt so I must locate my nexium. WE just ordered papa johns for lunch and i told them loaded.( oh man i hope there aren't any crustations on my pizza. ha .

  Ava  knocked over a plant and pitcher of water in the store today soaking mommy. She quick like a cat.  I denied any knowledge of who they were. ha I'm going to post a few pictures and get off here, maybe head to the pool. It has a waterfall! Love you Tim and Kelly

ready for more shopping

shopping rough on a girl

These ladies made our necklace after we picked out the strand of pearls

I'm done

shopping

Hello all, Kelly and Ava are two peas in a pod. I accompanied them on their first real shopping trip today and they bought so much stuff  i purchased another rolly suitcase to hall all the goodies back to the hotel ! There were shoes and dresses of every kind. Kelly said she saved me money because the lady wanted 85 yuan for the dress but told her if she bought ten she would sell them to her for 30  yuan a piece. I'm not sure how that math adds up but Kelly was sure i'd be pleased.ha ha  Paula we don't have your e-mail stored in our laptop for whatever reason so e-mail it to us. Our room # is 1013.  Today we went to complete the medical exam. wow what an experience. The hearing test consisted of ring a bell in left ear then right and if baby looked the way bell was ringing hearing past a o.k. . All this for 500 yuan . A group of school children stopped us and wanted to try out their english. all 15 of them had us write our name for them. They were very cute. Tomorrow we go to a pearl factory and jade works. Looks like i will need to exchange more money.ha well i'm going to post some pictures and sign off. love Tim and Kelly.

ava

getting medical clearance. The doctor pinched Ava's leg and said "big girl"

extra suitcase full of purchases

dinner at outside cafe

playing with dad

Guangzhou

Hello We landed in Guangzhou at 8 pm last night. This hotel is outstanding. Marble floors, air conditioning and staff on each floor when you step out of the elevator waiting to assist you. ( it's good to be the king) ha ha. The hotel is on an island so we have a wonderful view. Kelly and Ava are ready for breakfast so i'll post some pictures and write later. Hopefully this works. I've had problems with this internet this morning. love you all Henry and Tiffany (nanchang) Ava ready to go shopping split pants no toilet needed mcdonalds

elephant lake temple

  Good morning,

Today we went to a daewist temple to tour. Dadaism is one of the primary religions in china founded by one of the first emperors. It was very beautiful. I had a group of Chinese ask  if i would pose with them for a picture. They were very excited. I had my Indianapolis colts shirt on so i think they thought i must be a football star! So i enjoyed my moment of fame. ha ha.

 Kelly and i went to the massage parlor down the street (our guide arranged it for us) and it was the best six dollars I've spent in china. Six dollars for an hour massage! The girl that did mine i'm sure could break branches with her finger.ha She got in there with elbow , feet, anything it took to make me scream. ha  Thanks for the suggestion Darren. Pam when you guys come over you'll have to try it.  Dayne and Keagan you guys would have loved it.

  Our group went out to a Chinese eatery last night just a block from the hotel . I wish we would have known about it earlier, it was wonderful. Catherine(our guide) walked us down there and helped us order. several couple sat around a big table wit a large center piece that spun. Then they would bring several different dishes our for everyone to try. each table had a waitress assigned to stand right there and they would feed the babies. The Chinese women absolutely adore babies. That may seem at first strange to say considering the number of infants given up but they are very excited to see a baby and affectionate  The young girl at our table fixed the babies a bowl of custard like soup that tasted beef broth flavored and they loved it! You would have thought they hadn't eaten in a week. All this for a mere three dollars and fifty cents american per person

On the way back from the temple today we stopped at a porcelain shop. Of course that cost me! It's a good thing they didn't ship back to the U.S. or i would need a second job when i get back.ha The items were beautiful (all hand painted). We purchased Ava a tea set. We wanted her to have something special from her Provence.

  Well as i write this Dayne should be getting ready to play his last freshman football game of the season ( good luck son ). I'm rooting you on from half way around the world. We fly out to our final stop in china this evening Guangzhou . After we get our room number I'll text the boys so you can get through to us. Love you all Tim and Kelly

dad and Ava at the shrine

Dad ,Ava, Mom, and Catherine

the group

mom and Ava

I don't know what it was but the babies loved it

Good morning

Hello, We are up and going for the day. Ava has played in the bath and has her Disney Bambi outfit on big brother Keagan picked out for her. She really likes her "who loves baby book". It has pictures of our family in it including brothers, grandparents ,aunts uncles and cousins. Of course she is often chewing on it but i like to think she is interested in the pictures. ha ha . we are off to breakfast soon so we'll post later. keep us in your prayers! love Tim and Kelly bath time playing playing with mr. bear eating banana puffs how do i get those out of there?

a few more pictures

We tried the pool out. man was it cold ! Ava has had dinner and is now fast asleep. The shop keeper from tiffany's across the street brought over ava's dress we had made. how beautiful. We had a dress made for her baptism with matching hat and shoes. well i'll post these pictures and log off.  love Tim and Kelly at the pool like my new suit throw me again dad

Temple

We toured a temple today that was 1400 yrs old or built in 1400 depending on the chinese translation you  got haha. Our guide Catherine makes all the arrangements for us , she has been great. Ava however slept in the papoose most of the time.  We are going to try out the swimming pool this evening and will be back in the room after 7:oopm. So Dayne or keagan you should be able to catch us after 6:00am your time. Ava is leaning over giving kisses this afternoon. Smart baby, she knows how to work the room.ha. Here are some more pictures. love Tim and Kelly ready to see the temple Ava and Sophie had the same foster mother taking in the sights buttering mom up