An Amazing Dinner

Tonight we enjoyed a wonderful spaghetti dinner at Uncle Roger and Aunt Kim's house - probably the best spaghetti I've ever had. From left to right in the photo are Ming and Mommy, of course, along with So-Yun (from South Korea), Heloise (from Taiwan) and Aunt Kim. Roger and Cousin Holden were unfortunately cut out of the photo (sorry guys). So-Yun and Heloise are college students at Spokane Falls Community College. They are our house guests this year while they are studying in the States. They are great with Ming, and she has taken to both of them.

Cheeeeze!

Here is the Mingster's version of saying "cheese" for Daddy's camera :-) She's hanging out in one of my guitar cases just after getting up from her afternoon nap. My guitar cases always protect my most prized possessions.

Clifford The Big Red Dog

Big brother, Titus, is home from college today. Titus attends Gonzaga University so his dorm is only about 6 miles away. He spent the night at home last night and woke up to one of Mom's great waffles this morning. His plan for the day is to spend a little time in the solitude of home to get a paper written for college classes. I caught him taking time out from his studies to help Ming with some of her studies.

Ming at Mickey D's

Ming loves McDonald's eggs! Mommy, Ming and I enjoyed a McBreakfast this morning prior to what looks like a busy day. Notice that full head of hair that Ming Mei is growing!!

Ming the Mauler

Ming the Mauler plays linebacker for one of the local pee-wee football teams. She's one tough cookie when it comes to putting the hurt on the offensive opponents.

Just kidding...she was simply trying on Levi's football helmet.

Here Levi is explaining to Ming that football players are tough, tough, tough!!

The Movie Star

Angelina Jolie's lips have nothing on the puffy little pillows of this cutie!

Welcome to The Big Deuce, Kiddo

Two years and counting...

The day, of course, started like all the other ones in recent memory: up out of the crib (asking for 'mama,' naturally); a close grip on her inseparable pink blanket, and her best friend pinky bear; a fresh cup of milk; and a Veggie Tales video. Whaddalife!

Give Me A Birthday Hug, Daddy!

Ming's 2nd Birthday Party!

It's just amazing how fast a year sails by. Seems like just days ago that we were celebrating Ming's first birthday after bring her home from China last summer. Here we are a year later marking the big accomplishment of 730 DAYS in our precious little girl's life. We're thankful to be 'Mommy and Daddy' to her, and we are grateful to the Lord for this amazing gift in our lives.

Ming received a little trike from Aunt Cindy. She has been fascinated with our big bikes this summer. Not too long ago we were in the garage together and after taking my eyes off her for just a few minutes she had climbed up on my bike with one foot on the frame tubing and another foot on the sprocket. I couldn't believe that I was able to rescue her before the whole thing crashed down. Now she has her own 'bike,' and she really likes it.

While we were all enjoying cake and ice cream on the back patio Ming was busy playing on her new bike. :-)

We were finally able to coax her to open some of her other gifts...

She got a vacuum from her Grandma and Grandpa Butler that has it's own built-in Dirt Devil handy vac. You would think a girl would have a HUGE smile considering the new tools. I guess house cleaning is a sobering chore even when you're two, eh?

September Photos...

Here's a shot of the little princess pretending that she is Joe the Dog...Ming has his leash around her neck as we were playing in our driveway in Bigfork, Montana over the Labor Day weekend. We take Joe for lots of walks in Montana, and Ming gets to go in her stroller. I think she might want to try the leash next time!

This is Ming hanging out in downtown with So-Yun and Levi. You'll notice that Ming has on her pink polka dot swimsuit because she was enjoying the refreshing water from the fountain in River Front Park. So-Yun, by the way, is our newest house guest. She's a college exchange student from South Korea who will be attending Spokane Falls Community College and living with us for the next year. And of course, that's big brother Levi...always quick with a smile.