Birthday Girl!!!!!

On August 13, the Little Empress had a few friends and relatives over to celebrate her great big third birthday! We all had a fabulous time.

Ellie celebrates Independence Day

Ellie has been a busy, busy girl this summer. First, she had a visit with a couple of her "sisters" (other girls adopted from China) at a picnic at the local park, and there she caught raindrops on her tongue with a friend.













The Little Empress has evolved into quite a little traveler and tourist. Over the 4th of July weekend, with some friends from South Carolina, Ellie saw the sights in and around the Nation's Capital.



















We even spent a very hot July 3 at Gettysburg, touring the battlefield and meeting "Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock" (who Ellie called "Ronald McDonald!"). The Empress is becoming quite the history buff! (Dad's being a history prof may have something to do with it.) Through it all, Ellie showed her unique spirit.

An Empress's Easter Extravaganza

 
 
 
 

Easter was a blast for Ellie. Easter eggs were everywhere! She went to her first Easter Egg hunt sponsored by our church, then colored eggs at home with Mom, Dad and neighbor buddies Jessica & Jordan, then went to Essex, MD to have Easter dinner with her Daddy's relatives and played outside with her cousins. She's staying busy! 

The Empress and the Extended Family

In March, Ellie got to meet her extended family in Georgia: Her "Grammy" Hazel, her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Bob, and her cousin Meghan. She was also welcomed by our close friends (and surrogate parents) Ian And Sandra in South Carolina. The Little Empress was a bit overwhelmed at times by all the people so eager to see her and touch her; but she was a trooper through it all, including a LOT of driving, a couple of hotel stays (which occasionally fished up unpleasant memories), and new names and faces to learn, culminating in a 10-hour haul home from SC. She was even delcared an honorary member of the "Class of 20??" of Southern Wesleyan University. Heady stuff!

She was also the guest of honor at (another) shower, this one thrown by some ladies in our church. More goodies, more new people! It's just exhausting.

New Year Photos

Greetings from Katie,

Here are some photos from the Valley Adopt Chinese New Year celebration in Harrisonburg.

Things are still going quite well here. Ellie is adjusting very well to her new home and definitely knows who her mommy and daddy are.

She still won't let anyone at church hold her yet, as I think she feels she will be handed off again to someone else; Ellie does very well in the church service, and others in our congregation have remarked on what a joy she is to have there. Some ladies in our church just had a shower for us on on Feb. 25. Ellie enjoyed helping mommy tear paper off the gifts and enjoys the new toys, books and clothes she received. She even insisted on putting on one of the lovely white knit button down sweaters she received. I shared her scrapbook with some of the others there, and they really enjoyed looking at it.

So far she is a very easy child to raise. She is picking up more and more words every day. "Where are you?, There you go!, Chelsea, hush!, and Bye bye are some of her favorites to say. She also knows: nose, ears, chin, belly button, knees, legs, foot, toes, socks, shoes, mommy, daddy, potty, and of course, "No."

She is truly a blessing to us and brings us much joy! We just love her so very much!

Happy New Year! (Gong Hay Fat Choy!)

The Empress Elizabeth Xiangbing wishes Happy Chinese New Year to all her devoted subjects around the world. She is now officially a citizen of the United States of America, having received her Certificate of Citizenship (complete with a letter of welcome from President Bush) and that badge of Americanhood, a Social Security Number.

Ellie was graced with a visit from her new aunt Cathy, uncle Lou, and cousins Sheri, Megan and Haleigh, along with her great-aunt Katie. A good time was had by all.

Gong Hay Fat Choy!