- Father’s Day
Okay - you know already how much trouble I have getting stuff posted on this blog. BUT - I will attempt, over the next few days - to give you some of our summer highlights (now that it is fall!).
Ruby and Rochelle
Ruby finally got to meet her only girl cousin, Rochelle. They enjoyed playing together in Florida.
Joanna at Horse Camp
Joanna has been planning all year to attend Miracle Mountain Ranch Horse Camp this summer. She had a GREAT week!
Ruby with her Chinese school uniform
We were just goofing off one day, and we got out Ruby’s packpack of belongings from China. She tried on her school uniform and posed with her Communist Youth Salute!
Joanna aiming!
Not too shabby!
On a lazy Sunday afternoon (rare), we decided to do some target practice. Ruby loves to watch the “Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe” movie, and Susan practicing her archery. She had to give it a try!
The Pelley girls with Andy & Susan
Ruby got to experience her first Amish family reunion! We said good-bye to Kathy’s nephew Andy and his wife Susan as they were leaving in a few days for India, where Andy will complete his internship in structural engineering. They will be working with an engineering missions group. Susan will do graphic arts for the group while they are there.
Love that Mountain Dew!
Thanks, Andy, for introducing Ruby to Mountain Dew. She needed more energy!
Ruby meets Maria
Maria is one of Joanna and Grace’s very best friends. We were so excited for Ruby to get to know her too!
Four Beautiful Young Ladies
Aren’t they lovely?
- Mike
Ruby and Joanna got Mike a straw hat (per his request) for his birthday!
At Rennsalear
On our way to Joni & Friends Family Retreat, we realized that we would be driving within 1/2 hour of Mike’s alma mater, Rennsalear Polytechnic Institute. Unfortunately, it was a Saturday during the summer, and things were pretty dead, but we were able to get a picture in front of his frat house!
Boston Harbor
Also on our way to retreat, we did a super quick “Back to School” field trip to Boston. Here, the girls enjoy the beautiful view of Boston Harbor!
Old North Church
This was the site of Grace’s famous line, “And some people go to Orlando!” I’m sure Ruby wondered why all these people were taking pictures of an old building!
Enjoying fresh lobster on the wharf in Plymouth, Mass
This is what Grace thought of the lobster!
Our New Hampshire cabin
We finally made it to Joni Camp - this was home for the week!
Grace and Beth
This is Grace with her “short term missionary” for the week, Beth.
Our family with Beth
Beth was such a blessing to us that week!
Ruby on Crazy Hair Day!
Grace on Crazy Hair Day
Joanna’s french braid down the front got old after a few hours!
Even Mike got in on the craziness. Where’s Kathy’s crazy hair, you ask? Well, it was SO HOT that week, and not one building had air-conditioning, and there was not one soda machine, that I did not even do my hair that week. Just wash and go. THAT was crazy enough for me!
Can you believe that two of Ruby’s leaders were Chinese and spoke Cantonese? That’s how God works! It was comforting to know she was in good hands!
Ruby and Joanna say good-night from their top-bunk perches!
As we drove through New Hampshire on our way home, I LOVED these signs, and would have loved it even more to see a moose!
I love this picture. I only wish Marissa were in it. On our way home from New Hampshire, we met up with Ruby’s foster sister. The girls have spent most of their lives together, and really think of themselves as sisters. Marissa (Mei Feng) was adopted last summer. They had not seen each other for over a year. We told Ruby on the day we got her that we would make sure she got to see Marissa. We were walking around the amusement park, trying to find them, when Ruby spotted Marissa and took off running.
Ruby and Marissa meet!
Waiting to get on a ride
It's gonna be good!
New Americans!
Too many on that stroller!
Sisters reunited!
It was a great time. Ruby changed from her super energetic silly kid to a mommy, really. She was, once again, Marissa’s care-taker and protector. We weren’t sure how it would be to say good-bye. Ruby was very quiet. I even thought I saw tears. THEN - I realized she was pouting because Marissa and her brother have really neat hand-held computer games and she wanted one! Oh well!
One happy girl!
We celebrate half-birthdays here - just for the kids. Actually, you get to pick what we serve for dinner - and you get a cake. End of celebration. Since Ruby’s never had a birthday with us, this was an exciting event. She wanted a German Chocolate cake (much fancier than I usually do). She didn’t want it in a long cake pan, she wanted “circles”, like my mom made for me on my birthday. So circles it was!
Our star!
Wow! She's growing!
Part of every birthday and half birthday is getting measured. Ruby’s grown nearly two inches since she’s been a Pelley!
We had a “Welcome to the USA” Party for Ruby. She speaks enough English now. About fifty people came to help us celebrate. Ruby is waiting her turn for the pinata. I know a pinata isn’t very American, but it’s fun!
Opening some gifts
I only wish I had given someone the camera for the whole day. I was too busy to take pictures! Live and learn!
Ruby with the bride and groom
Another first for Ruby was attending a wedding. The daughter of Kathy’s college room-mate, Jessica, married Micah. Ruby loved every minute of it.
Can that girl dance!
This was a very family friendly wedding. Most of the dancing was just kids and friends dancing - line-dancing, etc. Ruby LOVED it.
Enjoying herself
Birthday Party
Ruby was invited to her first birthday party. Her friend Kristyn celebrated at Chuck E Cheese. Except for the pizza, it’s a great place! Ruby still does not like pizza!
Joanna getting into a school book!
Only homeschoolers would have a “back to school” party and get excited about opening boxes of new curriculum! Ruby kept wondering how there could be a school party, but she found out!
Another new book? Yes! Latin!
Hello Kitty messenger bag
Ruby wanted a messenger bag like Joanna carries. She was thrilled with this one. I was thrilled that it was at Target for $7!
Joanna at Lakeland College -
Our homeschool began a new phase this year when Joanna (a junior) signed up for two classes at the community college. She wanted some classroom experience before going off to college. She’s taking English Composition and Drawing (testing out her architectural desires). She seems to be enjoying it. I did not want to embarass her, so I snapped this one quickly. You have to look really close. She said, “Mom, I’m used to you taking pictures of everything.”
