Apples and Pumpkins!

We had a wonderful visit from Cheryl and Jack this weekend. Molly was so excited to see her Aunt KuKu and meet Uncle Jack. We decided that even though the weather was still unseasonably warm, we wanted to go and pick apples and get our pumpkins for Halloween. The apple crop this year was not the best, and most of the apples that were left were up quite high (after just one day of picking!) But they still tasted delicious as we picked and we certainly enjoyed the company. I just love the picture of Nathan and the girls from behind. He was really not into the apple picking, but did come along with the family. We were thankful, as he could get up high in some of the trees to get the biggest apples!

Molly's first taste of her apple!

Our pumpkin picking went much better. In fact, we had too many to choose from. Faith was quite tired by that time and just went along with whatever we said. Molly was very curious as to how we were going to eat the pumpkins. We tried to explain carving them, but figured she was going to have to wait until we actually carved them to understand.




I like this picture with just the orange tones.

Introducing Blake Daniel Hoffman!

My sister Karen and her husband Rick welcomed home a sweet little boy, Blake Daniel on September 25. I travelled down to Cincinnati after work (thanks so much Mike for taking care of everything at home!) and was there with Karen and Rick for the evening. Just as I was getting ready to leave, the doctor came in to talk to Karen about a C-section. She had been laboring for quite some time with great contractions but no progression, so they felt that she should deliver by C-section. Little Blake was so blessed that they made that decision! Once he was delivered, a large knot was found in his umbilical cord. I thank God that he wasn't delivered naturally and that knot wasn't pulled tight, cutting off circulation to him during delivery. I had visited the chapel on my way up to see Karen to say a little prayer, as it was her first baby and I wanted everything to go well. Needless to say, I drove home with tears of thankfulness in my eyes that God put His hand on Blake and blessed him.

Here are pictures of Karen during labor (don't kill me - I think you are beautiful!) and then mom and her new gift from God.

Massilon Marching Band Festival

Nathan's fall is always busy with marching band, of course we never hear him complain! He is in his element, and loves to be involved with AKD, the drumline at school. AKD stands for All Kinds of Drums - although I have heard there may be another meaning (-;

The Gahanna Lincoln Marching Band traveled to Massilon, Ohio to march in a festival at Paul Brown Stadium. They were so impressive! We were the band from "down south" and the kids got a standing ovation! We heard so many positive comments about them from the people that surrounded us. They were very impressed with our drum major, the sound of the band, and with the drumline. Molly and Faith are getting used to being in the stands for long periods of time, and really enjoy dancing along with the music. They are so proud of their big brother!

Backwoods Fest

For years we have been going to the Backwoods Fest in Thornville, Ohio. It is always a relaxing drive and we have fun browsing the craft booths set up among the woods like little cabins and shacks. We also enjoy the food - beans cooked over an open fire in gigantic black kettles, fried bologna sandwiches cooked on a grill, chicken and noodles made homemade, funnel cakes, and many more yummy goodies. We thought that Faith and Molly would love walking around outdoors - and it was actually one of our cooler weekends in September (in the 60s and low 70s). We bought Molly her handmade Ohio Christmas tree ornament (a little family tradition). Here are some pictures of the girls enjoying the day.

Random Moments of September

Just wanted to put a few pictures together of the girls without a particular subject. This month was definitely a settling in month for us all - Faith learning to "share" her things and finding moments with Molly of happiness. Molly - learning, learning, learning - English, how to be part of a family, new foods, new friends. I can't tell you how sweet the girls are at times, their giggles and laughter just complete our family. But they are learning to be siblings too - with all the "that's mine" and tears that having a sibling brings.

Playing around the tree at Grandma and Grandpa Crist's

Mike has been experimenting with a new photo technique.


OK, this is just one of my favorite pictures of Faith.
She does this look when she wants a kiss on the cheek - makes it all so precious!

Molly posing ever so sweetly.

The firsts of the school year!

We always start off the school year with the first day of school pictures! This is our first year to have 2 kids off to school. Nathan is now a junior in high school (wow, do I feel old!). This start of school was no big deal, except the bus came very early and Nathan missed it! Nathan usually squeaks out the door just a minute or two before the bus gets here, but not this time. Mike drove him to school on his way to work, so everything went OK. Nathan is excited about his classes this year, and only upset that he could not schedule Honors Physics because of a scheduling conflict. (Not a class I would be upset about missing!) Besides band, I think we have heard the most about his Mandarin class and his Space Tech class. Maybe we will have everyone speaking Chinese soon!

Molly's first day of school was August 29th. She started Kindergarden, and only half her class was there the first day, with the second half on the second day. Since she is attending the school where I work, she attended both days and got to meet all of her classmates. Her teacher says she is doing great so far. She is trying to repeat everything said and sing along with the songs. We read and read books this week - I think she understands that is what she will be learning. She is trying to follow along with her finger - a great start. She is writing her name and singing her alphabet and counting and writing her numbers to 10 so far. A great start for only a week and a few days here in the United States! I think she will be able to hold her own with the students. I heard her giving one little boy quite a talking to in Cantonese in the hall. He didn't have a clue what she was saying (and neither did I), but I don't think he was too ready to bother her again. Unfortunately, she was running a fever and missed Friday, but several students came to check on where she was.

Nathan's first football Friday was August 24th. Here is part of the drum line in their summer uniforms, as it was in the 80s at game time! We all attended the home game on the 31st. Molly was amazed! Faith absolutely loves the football games, watching the cheerleaders and jumping up and down when the drum line plays in the 4th quarter. Molly wasn't so sure what to think - but loved the popcorn! She finally figured out who Nathan was during the drum time in the 4th quarter, and kept her eyes glued to Nathan. She keeps referring to it every day and has been asking to see the video that Mike took.














We are having a great time here with Molly! The girls get along fine while they are playing, but if Molly wants attention from Mike or I, Faith is very jealous. We have had some real tearful moments and prolonged crying bouts. They are becoming fewer and farther as we are learning to step in and negotiate these times. Molly, I have to say, is really trying to be patient with Faith. Once she knows some more English, we may hear more though. We can't believe how well Molly is taking all of these changes. She certainly is very adaptable. We can thank the Lord for helping her through all these ups and downs. We love to hear her ask grace before meals - we will have to try and record it because it is something that will

pass very quickly. Mostly it is just a bunch of syllables then an "Amen". Probably how we sound to her! Enjoy the pictures of our two beauties with their parasols.

We're Home!!

So sorry for the lateness of this post - we have been caught up in the whirlwind since arriving home. Here are a few pictures of our arrival home. We unfortunately were in the last row of the plane coming home, and almost the last off the plane. Going through immigrations and customs took forever! So consequently, we were unable to make our plane home. We were delayed for 3 hours for the next flight - that arrived home after 10 pm Friday night. Boy, what a long day. The kids did pretty well on the long flight and we were all sad to say goodbye to Mike's sister. Unfortunately, we didn't even really have much of a chance to say goodbye since we were rushing off in different directions. We were very happy to reach home - and of course I cried from the moment we stepped off the plane. It was wonderful to see Nathan waiting for us! And all the friends and Mike's parents too, of course. Molly couldn't take her eyes off Nathan. I don't think she expected him to be so tall! Well, here's the pictures to enjoy.