A Tale of Two Packers

T'is a far better place I go......... with the right packing





For those traveling to China I give you the tale of two men. Notice the man on the left, he is smiling, merry and full of energy. Notice the man on your right; he is frowning, sad and extremely tired. Now notice the number of bags the man on the left has and then the one on the right.

Please remember my warning and don't become the man on the right. If you end up with too many bags please remember to get in the back of the line as NOT to slow the rest of your group down.


Some day I will give you the warning about traveling with two women with the same first and last name in your family and the dangers of Hong Kong Bananas.

God Bless,

Mike

The Peking Acrobats

We now live in Canton (the old English name for Guangzhou, China) and last night Kim and the older girls went to see the Peking Acrobats the same show we saw in Beijing, China almost to the day one year ago. Peking is the old English name for Beijing.

Once again Harper did not get to see the show, maybe next time.

Can it be a Year!!!!!!!!!

Harper Then and Now

Our first night together.

Olive Fingers

Harper wanted to show you guys her black olives.

Let it melt! Let it melt! Let it melt!

Okay we have counted the days in January when it did not snow and that would be 1. Tomorrow we might get above the freezing point.

Christmas 2008

What a wonderful Christmas holiday we had! Spending our first Christmas with Harper was so much fun. Just watching her open her presents and experience Santa for the first time. Chandler and Sydney were so good with her. It was amazing to watch both of them only want to watch Harper open her presents. They really experienced that it is better to give than to recieve. We had to force them to open their gifts and leave Harper alone! What a true blessing we have with all of our girls.

After Christmas we opened the Cryer Bed and Breakfast! We had a great visit with our friends from Georgia. Chandler and Sydney were so excited to have friends to play with and had a great time with their Georgia friends! Because there wasn't any snow (sorry) we had to go and see the sights of Ohio. A visit to the Christmas Story House was a lot of fun. How many times can someone say "you'll shoot your eye out!"? We had so much fun and I am so glad they came!

Our next set of guest were Mike's parents and his Aunt. Our girls loved spending time with their Grandparents and Great Aunt. It finally snowed and Grandmama was able to sled for the first time in her life! She only waited 68 years! The girls loved playing in the snow and going to Amish country.

Our last guest was a great treat. Our China travel friend Lydia Mae came in for a visit. While Mom took older sister up to Cleveland to the Doctor Lydia Mae was able to spend the day with Harper. It was such a treat to watch the girls play and Harper learn to share her toys. Harper couldn't get enough of Lydia Mae and wanted to kiss and hug her all the time. It was really funny.

What a great Christmas! God has truly blessed us this year. Each day I thank Him for giving us these wonderful children to love.

Kim

You'll shoot your eye out!

We visited the house with some friends from Georgia where they filmed the movie A Christmas Story. No one shot their eye out.

Relaxing

CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Pictures:
Harper, baby & Pooh

Harp's new computer

Dad always is looking for the remote

Princess Harper

Baby& Shopping Cart

Baby

Little Monkey

"Can I go through the window?"

Chandler

We had a Special Little Visitor!

Elizabeth came down from her grandparent's house in Cleveland to visit us in Canton. It was a nice visit and Harper loved every minute she had with Elizabeth, Michael and Lisa. The girls exchanged gifts and Elizabeth gave Harper a great pretend basket that held fruits and vegetables. The basket also makes a great hat, which she has worn the last few days.

These two little girls spent at least 10 months together in the Ningdu Children's Welfare Institute where they received excellent care until their mothers and fathers could come get them. Elizabeth can jump, dance and sing, she gives good hugs and is just a joy to be around. We hope to visit them soon especially since Chandler has been promised the best sandwich in the world!

God Bless,
Mike

Here comes Santa Claus

Harper loves Santa Claus she went right to him and told him she wanted a Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock. Okay she just told him she wanted a baby.

Two important events happened yesterday!

Someone in our house turned forty?

Yesterday once more.

Forty years young and half her life has involved me how lucky I am.

Kim with her first husband

Also on this day one year ago we got the call about our little Harper.

Happy Thanksgiving

Pigtail Girl

Chandler

Random Pictures

Harper eats like her daddy.(Mom said it, wasn't me)

Once again, Chandler