We went to Gatlinburg this weekend to reunite with our China travel group. We have not seen them since we left China 3 1/2 years ago. Madeline was soooo excited to see her “China friends” as she called them:). Madeline is usually very slow to warm up to people when she first meets them or has not seen them for a while but she jumped right in on Friday evening.
We had a wonderful time catching up and also meeting the new additions to our families. Three families have returned to China to bring home brothers and sisters and three more including us are going back:)
Sara Helen, Lottie, Madeline
Looks just like China only they are older and where is the lazy susan with all the wierd food?
Mathew has been home with his family for a year and John David thought he was “awesome”
Mia, Madeline, Jenna
Lillie Mei, Jenna, Madeline, Mia
Madeline with Sara Helen
Madeline and Lottie, they were crib mates in the orphanage
2 of the new additions:) Jia and Mathew
Julianne and John David, Julianne loved seeing how much the children had all changed since we traveled 3 years ago
Jenna and Madeline
our crazy group! Thane is the 3rd newest addition, his mom and dad are going back for another sister this fall
can’t have a day without a little attitude:)
and forgiveness
he is always such a trooper
a little wierd like the rest of his family though
I have alot of pics with sweet Lottie posing with her racoon named ‘Racoon”
Sara Helen, Lottie and Madeline
“red couch” photo, mine are not good at all, will replace this when I get a copy of our resident photographer (Mary)
Madeline, Sara Helen, Jade, Mia, Lottie, Jenna and Lillie Mei
original shot 🙂
Lottie, Lillie Mei, Madeline, Jenna, Sara Helen, Mia, Amanda
travel group in China
LOVE this shot, I forgot my other lense and could not get a picture of him moving so he faked it for me:)
Sara Helen and Madeline. Madeline made us tell her the story over and over about how we all thought she was Sara Helen when we first saw the babies. Julianne knew instantly who Madeline was and the rest of us were wrong!
Mia, Sara Helen and Madeline
train ride with Sara Helen
Love this of them all laughing on the carosel
Madeline, Jia and Lillie Mei
John David tried ice skating and loved it
Mathew is Sara Helen’s brother and John David loved him, they had so much fun
such a John David look
She loved playing at the river
token shot of the Ju 🙂
She sure has to work hard being Madeline’s big sis!! She always goes the extra mile to win Madeline over!!
What a wonderful time for Madeline and your family!!! LOVE the two pics of red couch photo now and then~ adorable! You did GREAT with all your photos!!! LOVE them all! SO wish we could have a reunion with our families!!! In time maybe.
Blessings!
XOXO
Oh Paige, what precious photographs of such a special reunion! What a blessing for all of you, but especially sweet Madeline and her "China Friends"!
Ummmm, John David really looks like he'd enjoy a little brother, too…just sayin' :)!
These pics bring back wonderful memories. We spent Christmas in a log cabin above Gatlinburg!
So grateful your family had this time to treasure with your special friends.
(((Hugs)))
Aww – I really can see some similar features in Madeline and Sara Helen! What a precious, precious reunion of some beautiful China babies!