What day is it?

So it's been almost 3 weeks since we've been back from China already... and we're smiling! I like to compare the jet-lag and culture shock to diving into a pool of ice water on a super hot day. It shocks the system. During our last week in China, I made a list of things I saw that I wouldn't see in the U.S. And our first week back, I noted the differences here. I'll share some with you another time.
We are currently in sunny Colorado spending the month taking classes and starting to feel "normal" whatever that means. This week we celebrated Hadassah's FIRST birthday! What a milestone! I just love watching her explore and discover everything.

(Our photo editing program isn't working yet, so I used a free sampler on the internet... for about 4 pictures (and 25 minutes). Oh well.)

Lily picked out Hadassah's cake... complete with edible princess images. Too bad the images wouldn't peel off the paper. I don't think Dassah noticed.

Here's Dass on her big day after a swim. Nothing like a bottle of milk and a new dolly.

I'm ONE!

We had a nice lunch with our friends Rose, Joshua and Azariah who live in Orlando. After our lunch we had some enjoyable family time after Josh's classes.

Can you believe Lily and Caroline loved to play together two years ago at this same complex... and now we're neighbors for the summer!

Hadassah & Azariah (about 2-3 months apart)

Caroline has 2 younger brothers that Cade loves to hang out with. He's thrilled.

Lily had to contribute a shot.

Time in the pool has been refreshing. The kids enjoyed this floaty until Cade popped it with a stick.

The kids finaly got over a 24-36 hour flu... maybe from being in the sun too much. Even though I feel bad when the kids are miserable, we had a great couple days of cuddling, book reading and resting. Today's agenda: head to the pool.

We flew into Chicago and then took a connecting flight to Appleton. After spending a (super fun, and super tired) week and a half in Appleton and Monroe, we began the drive out to CO. We had a great time visiting our friends from China who are currently living in Iowa. The kids had a couple hours to play hard before we headed back to the van.

I love sandy little toes.

Josh even got some fishing in... his first cast line in over two years! He was a happy camper.

Jeshua & Hadassah learning to share :)

(These pictures are out of order... much like our life has felt for a few weeks:)
Back in Monroe...
All of us were SO HAPPY to see Nai nai and Ye ye. Our time together was too short.

In Appleton...
The kids had a ball at Bay Beach in Green Bay with GG, Gampy, Auntie Nanny & cousins Gretta & Sam. (They had so much fun I don't think they knew their parents had secret plans of trying to get them back on schedule.)

I'm not sure who had more fun together as they played... Uncle Phil or the kids!

"I like America. America has Mickey Mouse pancakes."

A pic from the LONG plane ride home. Praise God we were upgraded to economy plus seating and given an extra seat for free! The kids did really well. They all slept for about 8 of the 14 hours we were in the plane.

And one last goofy picture from friends now on the other side of the world.
We will miss you!