SPRING TIME IN MINNESOTA

When we're sweating the heat and humidity of Guangzhou in a couple months, I thought this photo (taken from inside Pete's car) would serve as a valuable reminder not to be complaining about the weather in China.

Ahhhh, Spring in Minnesota... there's nothing like the smell of a fresh blizzard! And yes my friends, this is indeed a color photo, it really is this gray here right now.

LU'S AUNT SANDY

There is one woman who the parents adopting a child from the 4th floor of the Xi'an Social Welfare Institute get to know and love. That is Aunt Sandy, an Australian woman who volunteers there. We all get "web-troduced" to her at some point while posting on the Yahoo Group for this orphanage. The new photos you see here are all from Lu's Easter weekend with his Aunty. Knowing he has so many big changes ahead of him, she has been kind enough to help acclimate him to the great big world outside the one he has known. I see she has also provided him his first set of wheels — hope he picks up a few tips for navigating the crazy traffic there! Thanks Aunt Sandy! Can't wait to buy you dinner!

HAPPY EASTER!

What could be more fun than a four year old on Easter morning? Mr. Bunny left some muddy tracks all over the house as he hid eggs and baskets (how nice of him to leave one for Lu too!) but we didn't mind and Clara thought it was great fun to clean up after his paw prints and carrot crumbs. The jelly beans and chocolate marshmallow eggs never stood a chance and were only a memory by 9 a.m.

Here's a new picture of Lu, taken by a family who's in Xi'an now adopting their son. In some of the photos we have, Lu's hair looks very light and we've wondered if it's just the way the picture was taken. But in this one there is no mistaking it, the child has light brown hair with a bit of a red tone. Clara tells us she's going to give him ponytails as soon as we get to China. Don't worry Lu, she'll have forgotten by the time we get there. (we hope)

PREPARE FOR TAKE OFF

Ever since Clara found out that we're traveling to China to bring her brother home, she has spent countless hours building airplanes out of Legos, packing a variety of essentials into grocery bags and preparing her fellow passengers for the long flight. Of course SHE gets to fly first class — check out that cabin!