Somebody likes corn on the cob. She gnaws away to get every morsel. Gracee loves her vegetables and we are grateful for that. 

Gracee hard at work 'coloring' her menu as most of the family (except Drew) gathered to eat BBQ at Famous Daves this week. 

Always ready for a party...

Gracee is always ready for a party and this week it was time to celebrate big brother Samuel's 18th birthday. A family meal at Famous Dave's Barbeque was followed by a special 'cookie' cake at home. Gracee enjoyed the barbecue, particularly the beef brisket and chicken, and corn on the cob, but saved plenty of room for the special cake Mom made.

While this IS Gracee's Big Adventure, we thought it only appropriate that the birthday-boy get some face-time. Gracee loves her big brother Samuel and is always excited to be able to come into his room--with a parental escort of course. It is a dangerous place!  

"Now who gave me that cute sweater?"

Partytime for a little princess! Dad's office was kind to hold a special party for the new family member. She was pleased that green beans were on the menu. Fortunately, siblings Anna and Niles were on hand to help Gracee know who gave her each of the wonderful gifts. As usual, she WAS the star of the show, particularly enjoying all the pretty wrapping paper! 

Someone likes cake, especially the icing left behind on the plate. Now the look on her face reflects the fact that people are laughing at her. She doesn't like that. She takes her dining (especially dessert) very seriously. 

Life is sweet for Gracee. She likes these flowers. She can look out her window and see them. Her word for them, "flow," rhymes with "cow." (She won't be happy when the first frost comes and takes her flowers away.) Many of her words are a variant of the word's first syllable, e.g., "app" for apple. Smart little girl, isn't she?  

Life is wonderful for Gracee...and especially sweet for us with her home. She's not a big fan of her swing, but allowed Dadda to take her picture. She is one special little girl. Words cannot express the joy she has brought to our hearts. God is good. 

Gracee's Big Adventure at full speed now!

Three months ago this evening we were on pins and needles, anticipating the arrival of Grace the following morning at the hotel in Hefei. What a grand--and busy--three months we have enjoyed with Gracee home. We apologize that we haven't posted to the site since late August. It's not for a lack of photographs; Gracee has proven herself to be quite the willing model for the camera. She is walking now (three months ago she could barely sit up by herself on the hotel bed) and now talking Gracee-speak. (She barely made a sound the first day or two she was with us.)


Her vocabulary as of today: Momma; cat; gog (dog); night-night; cup; car; yellow; neck; eye; nose; toes; belly; Anna; Niles; thank you; flower; snack; bye-bye; more; and Dadda. About half the words have to be translated by one of us. There are some sounds even we don't know. She is a pro at blowing kisses!

Gracee is so much more of a blessing than we could ever imagined. She loves her family and we love her. She is perhaps the happiest child we have had as a toddler and instantly became a full-fledged member of the family. She is great eater. Her favorite foods are raw carrots, french fries, green beans, potato chips, chicken nuggets, Cheetos, squash, lettuce, bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes--just like her Daddy Ken liked.