A Beautiful Day at the Park

Yesterday was a beautiful day for many reasons.

For one, the weather was absolutely glorious. You just can't get much better for early Spring.

For another, we got to go play at the park! Kelly was one happy girl...

But the biggest reason it was a beautiful day yesterday was because we got to be with old friends... and new!

Several weeks back, we "bumped into" a family at the mall, and soon realized we had something in common- International adoption! Unfortunately, it's pretty rare in our area, so we were mutually delighted at our chance encounter. I think the friendship was pretty instantaneous, but we made it official with this play date at the park yesterday.
The darling little cutie you see in the polka dot top is Adyson- Kelly's newest friend. Adyson is 2 months younger than Kelly. She came home from Korea to her forever family in May 2008, and we brought Kelly home from China in June 2008, so we have lots in common.

Connie and Emily joined us, which made it even more special, not only because they are dear friends, but also because Emily and Adyson share in their Korean heritage. It was fun to watch our girls play together and enjoy getting to know one another.
They held hands, hugged, and seemed genuinely warm with one another. It was precious. Of course, the little ones had their "toddler moments," especially Miss Kelly, but they were few and far between, thankfully.

Enjoy the pictures! A big thank you to Kristi, Adyson's mommy, for taking them! (Somebody had a blonde moment and completely forgot her camera!)

Such a serious face!

C'mon, Kelly, won't you give us a smile?

I think I see a slight one there...
Oops, spoke too soon...

Emily wanted to go to the other park for bigger kids, but she was a trooper and stuck it out with the littler ones.

Adyson is such a doll!

Oh, won't you give us a smile, pretty little mei mei?

Adyson's a lucky girl- she's got some wave in her hair!
Kelly loved playing with the wood chips- she got them all over herself right after this picture was taken!

Big girls like Emily know how to smile pretty for the camera!

The little ones, not so much! Still, they are undeniably adorable.


Kristi said Adyson has just started looking away whenever she wants to take her picture. Oh, how I know the feeling! It's only because Kristi took these pictures that we got so many of Kelly actually looking at the camera! She rarely does that for me...

Kelly protesting that I took her juice cup away... Emily's doing her best to help, and Adyson looks genuinely concerned...

So cute together... and looky there... I think that's actually a smile on Kelly's face!

Adyson riding the horsey- quite a challenge with her cup in her hand!

Oh, how this picture shows-- the girl has a zest for life!

Playing at the park made us all hungry, so we went to lunch afterwards at one of our favorite spots.

What a fun day we had!

Can't wait 'til next time!