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.

Mr. Potato Head Glasses!

While in Bigfork, Montana this past week Ming had some fun with Mommy's shoes and Mr. Potato Head's glasses. She's my kind of girl - she love's fashion accessories!

Golfing Ming

This past week Ming, Mommy and I spent a few days at our home away from home in Bigfork, Montana. We hung out during the days, but made sure we worked in 9 holes of golf each evening. Lil' Ming-A-Ling wandered carefree around the golf course when she wasn't sitting in the golf cart enjoying snacks. Sometime soon she'll probably be swinging a club too!

Wouldn't You Think?

Wouldn't you think that a little girl who got to spend the morning at Wonderland playing miniature golf with her Mommy, brothers, and cousin would have a big smile on her face? Not so....because it's too hot!

The Musical Genius

Backyard Sundays with Ming

I haven't posted a picture of our little princess in a while - here she is in the backyard sharing her big smile. She had recently gotten up from a nap, which she still takes joyfully.

In her hands is my Chapstick. She knows that Nate and I always have Chapstick in our pockets, so her favorite game is to touch her finger to her lips and gives a little sing-songy noise (kind of like a seal makes). When we give her our Chapstick she lets out an enthusiastic "dah-tah" (which is her version of Chapstick).

Nice Britches

Here's Ming enjoying the good ol' outdoors....

Happy May Day!

Well, I went the whole month of April without a picture update of Ming Mei...shame on me. Here are a few of the little darling. First a shot in her pink dress:

Princess wave!

Sitting pretty...

The Good Life

Three of Mings favorite things are eating, watching her Elmo tape, and her pink blanket. Here she is laying in the 'big chair' eating an apple slice while enjoying Elmo and her blanket. This little girl lives the good life!

How Cute is This?

I'm keyboarding from downtown Vancouver, B.C. tonight while I'm here for the Vancouver International Boat Show. I took this pic of Ming this week before I left town. She watches her brothers play video games and loves playing with the controllers. She's not really playing, but she'll be a serious 'gamer' in true Szym fashion before it's over.

Super Bowl Celebration

Tonight after the Colts victory Levi and I ran to McDonald's for ice cream treats. Mommy, Titus and Levi had hot fudge. The Mingster and I had strawberry. Ming loved hers, and even got to clean out Mommy's hot fudge cup. The picture makes her look a little sad, but she was a happy little girl!

Ya Gotta Love This Shot

This week we have our post-adoption interview with our social worker. We were requested to submit several pictures that will go in 'the file,' including a shot of Ming with Mommy and Daddy. Oddly, we have a guhzillion pictures of Ming, both with Mom and Dad, but none with all of us. So we took this shot for the file. It's great to see Ming smile. I think she likes us.

Isn't she beautiful? [And her daughter, Ming, is pretty cute too! :-) ]

The Good Girl and the Bad Boy

OK, first I'll tell you about The Bad Boy - that's me. I haven't posted a 'fresh' picture since December 7th. Where have I been? What have I been doing? What am I thinking? It's a long story, but let it simply be said that I've been very, very busy...and I don't really have any good excuses. So I'll post a few pictures tonight, then I promise (I promise!) I'll upload a few pictures from the past month, including Christmas. And thanks to several of you who have reminded me that you want to see current pictures.

Here's the Good Girl...

With Big Brother Levi...
'Sup, Gangsta Homegirl?

My Pretty Girls

Mommy went to a Ladies Christmas dessert tonight, so I had the joy of hanging out with Ming. Here's a shot of my two gals just before Mom headed out...And here's a click of Baby Ming in her winter stocking cap...isn't she precious?