FUN week/TONS of pics/GREAT day! (Part II)

Here is "Part II" - Today

We had such a wonderful day...we just have to share...

We had a fun morning playing and then when it was time for morning nap, we hopped in the car. We had things to do, places to go, people to see! So, the first news of the day is that Hope has been on her first geocaching hunt. I don't know if you could say that she has officially been geocaching because she fell asleep in the car right away, but she was "along for the ride." We had two new e-mails this morning of new caches in Baldwin, so we thought we'd hit them on our way out of town. That makes #252 & #253 for us. FUN!

To finish morning nap, we drove to Woodbury and finally saw our friends Wendy, Larry, & Hannah. They have been so patient waiting to see us since we've been home. We had such a great day with them. Hope LOVED Hannah. It is so fun to see Hope meet new friends! We met for a quick lunch before heading to the house where the girls played for a while. Hannah was very gracious with sharing her toys. Then they swam for a bit until we got back in the car to drive to the zoo. Hope's first trip to the zoo was awesome. You should have seen her trying to talk to the spider monkeys. They were very active and she was captivated! It was so warm out today! The thermometer on the car said 104 as we drove to the zoo, but hey...after southern China in June, we can handle a little heat, right? :) It was so fun. We've missed our friends. Thanks for a great day guys!
(too many single photos - slide show needed for this one)

NOW - big news!

Hope went potty on the toilet! OK here is the story...We've been periodically trying to hold Hope over the toilet because her foster Mom said that she could use the potty or a diaper. In China, potty training starts very early with the use of split pants. Please ask us if you'd like more detail than that. :) Anyway, so far we've not had success. But tonight we tried and nothing...until she to in the tub. HA HA HA - nice little floating thing in the water. :) OUT she came quickly and back over the potty. SUCCESS! YEA - squatting on the toilet seat (as in squatty potties in China) she did it! Hopefully we can keep it up. We're so proud!

Then, Hope had the best bath she's ever had. She and Dad played and played. It was hilarious! I was unpacking/repacking the diaper bag for tomorrow and I just kept hearing this hysterical laughter coming from the bathroom. We have video we can show but would prefer not to post it here. Just ask. She thought it was so fun to bend down, get very wet, and then pop up and splash all over Ron. She was so cute! Here are a couple of shots...imagine the giggles.



Here she is post bath, all clean and winding down.


And finally, here is the best highlight of all...Ron put Hope to bed tonight for the first time. After getting ready with pj's, etc., I said "goodnight" and Ron and Hope took Ella out. When they came back, I was in the shower - convenient, huh...nope, just well-planned parenting. ;) So, Ron and Hope made her bottle, read stories, and rocked together. I have goosebumps and tears in my eyes just thinking of it. Talk about one proud Daddy tonight! This was huge!!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Night - B,R, & H