The Sweet Pool Life

Here are the promised pool pics. Alexandra wasn't swimming this day. The pool has been lots of fun and so far maintenance hasn't been that hard. Aaron has a friend in the neighborhood who's been coming over alot and Kathleen has bought a home-only sunbathing suit. When she first modeled it Anna's response was, "Number one that suit is inappropriate. Number two you were supposed to let me help you bake the pie."

Autumn Takes Her Stand

Sorry it's been awhile since our last post. We had forgotten how hectic life can be with a one year old.

Autumn wanted to demonstrate her newfound ability to stand unassisted. Walking and running soon to follow.

Today we'll have a family cookout. Daddy got the pool running and we've been enjoying that. Swimming photos to follow.

A New Name for the Blog

Now that we're home and Autumn is truly a part of our family, it seems appropriate that the Blog no longer be just about her, but about the family as a whole.

We'll post about family trips and adventures, fun photos and great exploits of each of the Caley kids. Anyway, China won't let us adopt again until Alexandra grows up and leaves home (as of next month the family size limit is 4 children). Hmmmm. Maybe Viet Nam next.

Homecoming Video

With apologies to those who expect to see Bill Gaither and Friends when they hear that title.

More homecoming Pictures!

Anna and her baby sister Autumn! She does great with her--her only complaint is it's not enough time!
Alexandra--a very sweet big sister!
Aaron has always wanted to be a big brother!
My four babies!
Autumn didn't even get to enjoy a little Chick-fil-A for Alexandra's birthday!

Home Again!!

Autumn with Cousin Rachel (we met them in Detroit on our way home)
Autumn in the carseat for the first time.
Playing with Daddy!
Aaron and Anna like to push her around in the stroller before heading to school!
Autumn modeling a hat that was Alexandra's when she was a baby!

Sorry that it has taken this long to get an update from us. We arrived home on Saturday evening at 6:15. We survived the flights--a four hour, a 12 hour, and finally a one hour. Autumn was a bit restless on the long flight. However, Daddy walked her around for a bit to help.

Our kids were in great hands while we were away with Grandma. She took them places and told me while I was away that they were now "on a schedule." I just hope that I will be able to keep them on it. -:)

Autumn has adjusted well. She is sleeping good--going to sleep in the early evening (as early as

5:00 pm) and waking up around 3:30 or 4:00 for a bottle and going back to sleep with Mom and Dad in our bed. She has taken to her brother and sisters pretty well. She will let Alexandra walk around with her. Anna and Aaron push her around in the stroller before going to school. We took her to the park yesterday afternoon. She seemed to like the swing. She is finally today warming up to Grandma and Grandpa ( they are heading home tommorrow). It just takes her some time to adjust to new faces. There have obviously been many changes in her life. I am proud to say that she loves Mommy best!! She likes Watson (our dog). She will watch him and has pet him a few times. He is a bit jealous at times, but overall doing well.

Guy will be posting the homecoming video. For now here are some pictures of Autumn and family here at home! Today she is 13 months old!!

Final Post From China

Well, it's hard to believe we're finally on our way home! We are ready! Today we went to the US consulate to get Autumn's visa and to take the oath for her. Though we didn't post about it here because we didn't want to raise any concerns (especially for our 3 kids waiting at home), this was a cause for serious concern over the last couple of days. People in the groups prior to us had not gotten their visas on time because of a computer glitch in D.C. these people missed their flights and may still be on standby. We were told last night we would not get our visas today and we didn't know where we were going to go to wait because the hotel was booked along with all the others in Guaungzhou for a major trade fair starting tomorrow! Plus all flights were booked solid until the 19th.

We got on the phone to Congressman Holden's staff in Lebanon PA, and everyone else started calling congressmen and sentator's offices too. I guess the pho ne lines got hot because we heard that no less than 16 senators and numerous congressmen called the state department and the Consulate in Guangzhou. There was a rumor the Secretary of State herself got involved, which wouldn't be surprising given that level of congressional interest. Anyway be the time we left for the consulate we were told all the visas but two were done and when we arrived we heard that all were done. A cheer went up from the assembled hosts (our guess is 30-50 families total.

So here's a shot of the 3 passports--2 US and one from the People's Republic of China (Autumn will have her US citizenship as soon as her visa is stamped in the US).

And here is that all important Visa.

Here is a photo of us and another couple in our group with our favorite shopkeepers, Dong and Susan and one of their employees

Here is the famous "Red Couch Photo" It's a tradition for the groups from each adoption agency to take a photo of all the children on this red couch in the lobby of the White Swan Hotel. These are the 16 from the Bethany group we traveled with. Most but not all the girls came from the same orphanage as Autumn. 3 are boys. Sorry we couldn't get one with all the girls smiling. If you can't find Autumn, she's the one on the floor in despair in the second photo.

We love and miss you all and can't wait to get up in 5 hours
at 4 am for the 25 hour journey home!