Formerly "To China For Kelly"

When I originally set up this blog, it was to chronicle our trip to China to adopt our daughter, Kelly; thus the title, "To China For Kelly." But now that I've decided to keep it up as my on-line scrapbook/journal, the title needs updating.
Inspired by my girls, who, despite their ten year age difference, both love lollipops and lip gloss; it is now titled, "From Lollipops to Lip Gloss." This is not to leave my son out, who also loves lollipops, but isn't too big on lip gloss, understandably!

Monday, June 22, 2009

More from Kelly's One Year Gotcha-versary!


Kelly's Jie Jie, Camryn, decorated for her Mei Mei's special day.  

Camryn curled pink ribbon and hung it from the chandelier.  

She cut pink roses from the garden and chose the perfect vase in which to display them.

She arranged the roses beautifully in the little glass vase and placed her arrangement on the center of the table with love.  

We got some gifts for Kelly and wrapped them in wonderful gift bags for Kelly to open. (Most of which were recycled from other gifts we received-- so if you see a gift bag you recognize, thank you!  We got more than one use out of it!)

Here we are- everyone is helping Kelly open her gifts!
Kelly got some new sunglasses- oh, she has a face for sunglasses, doesn't she?  And she got some gum- one of her new favorite things.
Nonnie got Kelly a camera! She can actually take real digital pictures with it.  Now Kelly can be just like her mommy!
We got Kelly the pretty dress you see on the table there, with a matching headband and sandals.  Kelly actually picked the dress out... last time we were in Gymboree, she brought it over to me and said, "Pretty!"
I didn't buy it at the time.  I went back later and got it for her to surprise her. 
This was Kelly's favorite gift.  We got her a Chinese musical doll. 
She plays the song "Jasmine," so appropriately, we named her Jasmine.
Kelly loved Jasmine and did not want to put her down!

Camryn made the bow you see in Kelly's hair for her!
Doesn't Jasmine have a sweet little face?
Can you tell Kelly loves her?
Camryn loves her little China doll, Kelly, so much!
Here we are, on our way to dinner.  Isn't Kelly looking so super stylish? We went out to eat at The Canton for wonderful Chinese food. 
Daddy helps Kelly get ready to eat.
It was extra special to have Nonnie with us.
Kelly was hungry and ready to dig in!
Oops! Don't forget to pray first! 
(Kelly loves to remind us to pray before we eat these days. It has become her job at meal times. Every time we sit down to eat, she puts her hands up to her face like this and looks at each of us as if to remind us to pray first. It's the cutest thing ever!)
"Thank you, God, for my family and my food.  Bless us all. Amen!"
"Hot Dog!  Let's eat!"
YUMMMM!
One thing Kelly loves to do is celebrate with a song and a dance!  
Her favorite right now happens to be Mickey Mouse's "Hot Dog" song. 
Oh Kelly, can you get any cuter?  
"I don't think so!" says big sister adoringly.
 
"Hot Dog! Hot Dog! Hot Diggity Dog!"
And finally, we received our fortune cookies.  This is always very special to Camryn, who saves all our fortunes in her treasure box.  She always makes sure we each take a turn sharing what our fortunes say before we leave.  Each one of us had a different one, and of all the fortunes, this was Kelly's.  It actually made me cry.
We got a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake to finish the celebration.  
Not only did we celebrate Kelly's Gotcha Day, but the next day was my mom's birthday, so we got to do a double celebration! 
Here are the special girls getting ready to blow out their candles.  We sang "Happy Birthday" and "Happy Gotcha Day" to them, and for the rest of the evening, Kelly kept singing, "Happy! Happy! Happy!"  She's something else, I tell ya.
Blowing out the candles together... such a good team!
What a wonderful day.  
What a wonderful girl.  
What a wonderful world.

3 comments:

~natty and barclay said...

Awsesome celebration! Camryn is such a SPECIAL sister to Kelly. Yep, I had tears, too, when I read Boo's fortune. What a beautiful tribute to her Gocha Day! (AND belated Happy Birthday, Llisa!) You guys know how to party down and I'm coming as fast as I can to love on each and everyone of you. I will finally put my "paws" on Kelly! I can hardly wait to reach out and (ACTUALLY) touch Caleb and Camryn, too! These expressions of love in all of your eyes got me all misty eyed! The Lord has not only blessed precious Kelly but gee wizz... she lights up all of our lives! Hummm, life is good!

Anonymous said...

Jen.... you did it again! What an amazing day... and Kelly's fortune brought tears to my eyes.... how true that is!!! An amazing celebration that all of you had! We are so thrilled and blessed we can be a part of Kelly's magical journey! We love you all!
Kris

Natalie said...

What a lovely post Jennifer. I cannot believe the fortune cookie! I'd cry too.
What a lucky family you all are.
It looks like a super fun celebration too. Happy One Year!!