China Trip...Still Pinching Ourselves!

If I don't do abridged posts I'll never catch up. Matt and Sara gave us the opportunity to take a vacation to mainland China as they lived in Shenzhen for  one and a half years. So in September we made the trip in great anticipation of spending 2 1/2 weeks with our Rose family that we had not seen for over a year! How we had missed them. Eva was only 9 months old when they left so though we Skyped periodically, we were a little afraid it would take her awhile to warm up. Not so! We had the most wonderful time just being with them all and exploring and enjoying their life in this vast country. Sara is amazing and though the transition was more difficult than any of us could ever imagine, being the trooper she is she dove right in overcoming the language and culture obstacles that blow my mind even thinking of them. Because of her positive attitude, Luke, Emma, Gavin and Eva adjusted beautifully and they had the experience of a lifetime. Some of the highlights we enjoyed with them were a trip to Hong Kong where we attended the temple with Matt, a cable car ride to see the Big Buddha (huge would be more descriptive), a trip to Beijing where we visited Tiananmen Square, toured the Forbidden City, and Walked on the Great Wall...sites we never dreamed in a million years we would get to experience.  We also enjoyed attending church at their branch in Shenzhen and also a branch in Beijing. In the Church you always have a supportive family wherever you go!

We are so thankful that Matt had this great work opportunity (can I just say he is very intelligent like his Dad) and that he has a supportive and adventurous wife who said yes to such an undertaking!  And I might add great kids who were willing to leave the comforts of home for a foreign adventure. Sara learned Chinese well enough to get anywhere in good fashion and make her needs known. Our jaws dropped listening to her talk to the cab drivers and store employees. Matt did a great job handling and completing what he was sent there to do. It was obvious that they were all well respected wherever they took us and we thank them a hundred times over for the opportunity to be there with them. Here are some picture highlights:

Yes.,.Gavin on a mule on the Great Wall of China

The brown building with the steeple is the Church Office Building in downtown Hong Kong

The BIG BUDDHA

mutual admiration society!

The move to China in Luke's words

I

Greg and Wendy on the Great Wall...an unbelievable experience!

The Great Wall winding across the mountains in the background

Our Rose Family on the Great Wall

Matt and Sara

So we can remember the height of the Great Wall

Little Beauties, Eva and Emma

Luke, Gavin, Eva, Emma Rose

Matt and Greg after doing a session at the Hong Kong Temple

The Wet Market in Old Shekou, Shenzhen, China

Greg and Me at the Hong Kong Temple

My "Pumpkin" Emma...we are great pals

Grandpa with his two pals, Luke and Gavin

A big stage show at Splendid China theme park

Sara is a Terra Cotta Warrior

Ems and Eves

Our Welcome sign and first picture after arriving at Matt and Sara's apartment!

 Such joy!

All of us on the Wall!

Greg and Me at the entrance to the Forbidden City

In front of the Jade Lion in the Forbidden City!

More Forbidden City!

In front of the building where we attended Church in Beijing with Sara's brother and parents

Matt and Greg in downtown Beijing where we shopped for souvenirs

Luke was sweet enough to name us his heroes in his newspaper project in school.

We were able to attend back-to-school night with the kids.

Luke in front of the flags at the International School where he was a student

Sara and me after a great massage! I could learn to like that!

A family picture! (What you don't do for and with your grandkids!)

It's Our Turn!

Just a few pictures of Greg and me holding our newest little grandbaby! 

It was love at first sight for both of us!

 See what I mean about Brig adoring Grandpa?

More Henry!

Can't believe I didn't get a picture of Julie and Stanton with the baby! I am going to stay with her for a few days and will be sure to take one. I need one of the whole family...note to self!

 Completely enamored!

 The motherly instinct has emerged in our little Chloe! 

She is already changing diapers! Didn't get a picture of that, but it was darn cute

to see her just take over! 

Julie may have her hands full (or empty! haha)

 It never ceases to amaze me how little ones adapt to a new addition to the family!

Henry is definitely adored!

Most likely, the newness of it all will wear off...but right now, Henry will be lucky to get any sleep at all during the day! They all love to hold him and want him awake!

Brigham enjoying every second of his turn to hold baby brother!

(His eye patch is doing the job by the way! His vision has improved from 20/80 to 20/25.

Yet another testament to consistency! Good job, Mom! And "good job, Brig" for

being willing to wear it so faithfully!)

Happy 4th Birthday, Cannon! (Aug. 8, 2012)

Our sweet Julie, wanting to make sure that little Henry's arrival did not fall on Cannon's birthday and that Cannon not be slighted any more than possible on his special day, gave birth to Henry on the 7th and came home on the 8th in time to wrap gifts and have a little birthday party for their precious little 4-year old boy! We celebrated with him on the 10th and gave him a new bike helmet to go with his new birthday bike! He is pretty thrilled with both as you can see!

 Have you ever seen anyone cuter in a bike helmet?

I think not!

Happy Birthday, buddy! We love you and all your adorableness!

Some silly pictures from the occasion:

 It's not every boy that asks for his Halloween costume for his birthday and then asks his Mom to wear it!

(Cannon's Transformer mask)

Lily loves to put head ornaments on herself and everyone else!

(Can you believe I posted this?...Neither can I!)

See what I mean?

Welcome to the Family, Henry Stillman Allen

 Henry Stillman Allen born August 7, 2012 to our daughter, Julie and her husband, Stanton Allen.
If I'm not mistaken, he weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Congratulations to his sisters, Chloe Rose, Lily Virginia and brothers, Brigham David and Cannon Gregory on the birth of your new baby brother! 

 Don't know for sure how Chloe feels about this yet, but he does look so much like her, doesn't he?

Beautiful Mom, beautiful baby boy!

Is there anything more miraculous than the birth of a baby? 

Thank you, Heavenly Father for yet another angel from heaven.