Eating at Grandma & Grandpa's

Want to share a picture of Alice eating her Grandma's Italian Lasagna. - Auntie Lynne

Home

She's home. We're home. Daddy and big brother are getting Alice time and she's already looking to them for "ups". She's an incredible beautiful, smart, funny, fun little kid. I'm a proud parent of two kids that make my world a happy, happy place. Seth was fantastic while waiting, which must have been quite tough for him. Jimbo rocked as he took on Alice last night when she woke up at 2:30am ready for a new day, and I was ready for much more sleep. He's a great Dad and it's a happy sigh to see Alice in his arms. It's been quite a journey. Thank you thank you to my big sister Lynne - we Barretts could not have done this without my big sis. Always there for me in my life and happy you were able to be there for this as well. Love ya, mule. Thanks to Seth's school, class and teacher Sarah for helping us by helping Seth during this exciting time. To my folks for getting up way early to take Seth to school. Thanks to Wide Horizons for picking Candy as our fantastic guide for this adventure - geez, she was beyond good. Lots of love to the "sisters" of Alice and the families that were on this journey with us - Taylor, Mali, Sarah and Xia - I feel blessed to have been a part of the beginning of their family life. Thanks to China in general - what a freakin' cool place Alice has as her "home town". Thanks to boss Brian for giving me the time to be with my new family and being supportive during this long trek. Family, friends - Alice is going to have a ball getting to know her Papa Tom, Grandma and all her Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends. Thanks all for following along. The well wishes and love was felt by us half way around the world. Now the real journey begins as we head into a life as a family of four beginning with a beautiful summer in Vermont. Can anyone say "beach"? Whooo hoooo!!!

One Lucky Aunt!

A few words say it all...I love you guys.

First Leg of Heading home

These are Pics from our trip to Beijing.

Heading into the longest day of our lives & so happy to be coming home. Very happy Uncle Mike is picking us up at Logan Airport thus helping me to maintain my spot as top ranking China Mule! - Auntie Lynne

We Made it to Beijing!

On our way home leg one.  Arrived in Beijing from Guangzhou.  Will catch a short nap before we head back to the airport at 8:30 AM for our flight to San Francisco.  We are ready to get home.  So happy Mike is picking us up at Logan tomorrow (today) when we arrive at 8:45 PM. - Auntie Lynne

 

PS:  Uncle Fred has been trying to steal my China Mule Job.  It's tough to work so hard to keep this job.  Fred and Bonnie have been a great help.  We get to fly to San Fran and then Boston with them and the rest of Sarah's family.  What a nice group!

Today we went to a very lovely bonzai park. Lush and gorgeous. We ate right near the grounds. After lunch, we headed to our hotel to try to get the kiddie winks to get at least 50 winks. Alice, I've now learned, gets quite ornary when she doesn't hit her 50 wink mark. I had to wake her to get to the US Consulate for her swearing in ceremony. In my travel haze, I thought it meant she was a citizen, but I guess not. Just another step. She needs to get her visa tomorrow after we pack up to leave the hotel. We'll head back to Beijing for a late flight and a quick night's snooze, back to the airport by 8:30 am. Off to San Fran to try to catch Auntie V, then to Boston. Then, we try to drive to Vermont to catch Emmet in the marathon. We'll see how we feel after our own marathon of travel, but we'll give it a major effort to get home. We have a "free" morning tomorrow. I traded in one more batch of USD for yuan and I'll hit some shops and then we pack. I'll try to take pictures of the island we're on before I go. There's no place like home in Vermont, but I'lll miss this country. The people are wonderful - really wonderful. Many folks stare, but with a smile, and they try to say hello and coo at our babies. I have loved our stay in China. Just so amazing. Can't wait to share our journey in person with family and friends and spend a summer in Vermont with our new sister/daughter.