Monday, December 20, 2010

Itinerary Received & Battening Down the Hatches

Well, as Southern California is experiencing a string of heavy storms we have been busy with the extra chores of "battening down the hatches"!  We have about a 600-foot section of dirt road that leads to our driveway (luckily the driveway is asphalt since it is going uphill).  The runoff is taking a toll on some sections of the road with some really nice ponds forming in the low lying areas!  : )  We are also still trying to figure out how some water is oozing into our back room addition (we had professionals install the roof and that is the only thing that has ever given us problems). This afternoon Kevin & Cameron will be shooting in some foam and putting up some new flashing material.

On the bright side we have our itinerary our Gotcha Day for Lauren will be Tuesday, January 4th!!!

Remember the photo of the great sunset the other day - same view today!



  Pond forming in the road to our house.


Almost Full Pool - well at least it saves us from running the well pump!

Rain Collection Barrel - already emptied twice!







Friday, December 17, 2010

Tickets to China & Family Christmas Photo

We have our itinerary for International Flights:  We will be leaving Dec 28th, after about 15-hours of flying arrive in Guangzhou Dec 30 in the morning (4-hour layover) then a 3-hour flight to Beijing.  We will receive the internal (domestic) China flight information and hotel information from our agency next week as their Beijing staff is formalizing those arrangements.  We will return home on the 14th of Jan. after about a 12-hour flight, last time we had a great tail wind and did it in about 10 1/2-hours (it is strange we totally skip Dec 29th when we travel to China and coming home we arrive in LA several hours earlier on the 14th then when we left China).  We will be flying internationally in Premium Economy (what us older folks used to call Business Class), it is the only way I will do 15-hours in the air!  (Kevin)

Today we took our annual Christmas family photo in front of the tree, we are one short this year as Amber moved out on her own last January and is getting married in March. Next year however, we will have 5-again as Lauren will be home with us!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Travel Dates Received

Our Consulate Appointment for Lauren's visa has been confirmed 1/11/2011 - we are now moving forward with the travel planning.  We will be leaving LA on 12/28 (Tuesday) and returning on 1/14 (Friday).  Not quite sure of all the particulars yet, however we will be in Beijing on 12/30 the next week in Shanghai, and finally the last week in Guangzhou.

We are lucky enough this time to not just have pet sitters coming over - but house sitters watching the place for us while we are away!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

!!! TRAVEL APPROVAL !!!

T. A.

Yes - we got the call from Betty first thing this morning, we have our travel approval (TA) from China.  Our agency has a group leaving the week after Christmas and if they can get us in on the same consulate appointment (CA) we will be leaving in two weeks to go bring Lauren home!

Keep us in your prayers as we prepare for the journey and for safe travels.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

December Weather in California

December is always strange when it comes to weather in Southern California.  Last Sunday cold and rainy with all the surrounding mountains getting snow. The other night we went to Disneyland to see the Christmas decorations and lights and the daytime temperature never got above 65 with the night temperature around 38.  Today - sunny with a daytime high around 84 with the temperature to be around 90 tomorrow! But what a spectacular sunset tonight.  Enjoy the pictures from our front yard at sunset this evening and some pictures from Disneyland the other evening.





Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Decorations & Christmas Preparations

Still waiting on our Travel Approval (TA), in the meantime we are still decorating the house and making preparations for Christmas.

Main Tree & Fireplace in the Great Room of the house:



Sun room Tree and Decorations:


Hannah & Cameron decorating Hannah's Tree (yes purple is her favorite color!):



Saturday, December 4, 2010

Baby "Toddler" Shower



Today, Amber (our oldest daughter) & Eddie (fiance) along with our friends Joel & Tracy hosted a Toddler shower for us.  We were joined by family and friends that we love dearly and will be a wonderful extended family for Lauren when she arrives home.

Lynda & Hannah


Lynda's Parents (Hank & Harriet aka - Grandpa &Baba)



Eddie & Cameron

Hannah and Steve B.

Hannah, Kevin, & Lynda

Cameron