Another Country Represented

Meet Takae (Tah-ky-YAY). She's from Kuki, Japan. She just came to the States to study English at Spokane Falls Community College. She's hanging with us for a couple of nights until her homestay family is back in town from a holiday vacation. Linda, who has been working as Homestay Coordinator at the Community College this year, takes her job seriously. :-)All the Asian chicks do the 'V' for victory thing...

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Christmas 2008

The Tale of Two Weekends

Last weekend in Honolulu.

This weekend in Spokane...notice how big that snow bank is next to Ming!

Those poor people in Hawaii don't know what they're missing. :-)

Chinese Catgirl

A rare and precious species...
(She's actually supposed to be a doggie, but Linda and I think the mask is more cat-like.)

White Christmas

Spokane experienced a record snowfall in the last 24 hours. Today we're digging out, although it is still snowing. Looks like another storm will follow this weekend. With temperatures in the single digits and low teens between now and Christmas, it looks like the 25th will be white! (The car behind Linda and Ming belongs to SoYun...she's not planning on going anywhere soon.)

Children, Children What Do You Hear?

Ming's Christmas program at pre-school...

Saturday on Daddy's Lap

Makin' Cookies With Elmo

Twinkle, Twinkle

A Day in the Life of Ming Mei

A lazy start watching Dora.

A lollipop in the middle (watching Dora).

Playing in the snow with Dora...uh...um...I mean her big brother, Levi.

Straight Off The Mayflower

Check out this little pilgrim...

And here's a turkey sandwich!

Coupla Saturdaze Ago

Autumn in Spokane has been terrific this year. A couple of weeks ago we enjoyed a Saturday AM breakfast with Titus at Gonzaga University. It was parents weekend, so Titus treated us to a late morning breakfast on campus. One the way to the cafeteria Linda clicked a couple of photos.

When Linda saw these shots she said. "Ming needs her bangs trimmed." I'm thinking that I probably do too.

Got Lights?

Yes, we do.
Today we test 'em; tomorrow they go up on the house. In the meantime, Levi and Ming are doing their Christmas Tree impersonation.

Grandma's New House

Today was move in day (one of several, acutally) at Grandma Szym's new house. The number one piece of furniture - Ming's bed - is already in its proper corner. Here is a shot Ming just going down for a nap during the activity.

In Case You're Wondering...

The word she's saying is....CHEESE!
Thoses are smiley stickers all over Ming's face and shirt.

Pearl Jammin'

Ming Mei has her grunge thing going on. She's posing with her music maker in her pink beanie. Well actually, the guitar is mine and the beanie is one that Grandma Butler made for her.














And here's the full ensemble...
looking pretty in pink!

Happy Birthday All Week Long

Ming has been randomly telling me happy birthday this week. She'll pop into my room for no reason at all and say it with her chipper little voice. I couldn't resist getting it on video.

Happy Birthday To Daddio!

Ming helped me celebrate my 49th - complete with party hat!

Good Food - Good Times

Tonight was 'Hong Kong Night' at our house as we hosted numerous college kids in the English-As-A-Second-Language program from Spokane Community College.

Everyone enjoyed Linda's awesome pan-Asian cuisine!

And here are the "L"osers from a game of spoons.

Chicks-n-Leaves

Enjoying an autumn Sunday afternoon.

The Real Show

"Trick or Treat!"

Dress Rehearsal

Cousin Holden and Ming Mei prior to going over to Grandma and Grandpa Butler's house three days before Halloween...because when it comes to candy, practice makes perfect.

Pink and Orange

Well, her pink hat doesn't match the autumn colors, but it matches her pony!

Robo-Girl

The result of Ming's creativity and Levi's cardboard creation.