The rest of our time in Guangzhou

February 15, 2006 we had the famous "Red Couch" photo at the White Swan. We also had a group photo in front of the waterfall in the White Swan.


Family Red Couch photo


Hubei Girls!!


I love these Red Couch photos


Our Travel Group


Todd, Erika, and Madison


Ray, Angel, and Samantha


One Happy Family


Susan, Jim, Kara, and Emma


Robert, Sue, and Alexa


Jacob, Lisa, and Sophie


With our guide Cindy. She was AMAZING! I can't say enough about her.


We had the best time with Jim and Susan's daughter Emma. She is the sweetest little girl. I was lucky enough see Emma again when I went to Georgia.

We also went on a tour of The Chen Family Temple and The Six Banyan Temple. Katie received a Buddist blessing at the Temple. Then we went to a nice market to buy Jade and Porcelain. I bought a circle of life Jade pendent for Katie and myself. I also bought a Jade Rooster pendent for Katie since she was born in the year of the Rooster. I bought a beautiful porcelan tea set to give to Katie when she is older. I have it displayed in our kitchen and I will give it to her when she has her own home someday.


The Chen Family Temple


The Six Banyan Temple


The Buddist Blessing


Buddas


View from dinner. I can't remember the name of this restaurant but we had dinner with some couples from our group at this riverside restaurant.

Feb 16, 2006


Meeting up with some of the other Mom's from our GWCA travel Group. Erika, Carolyn with Mac, Me with Katie, and Andrea with Gwen. Carolyn and Andrea's daughter's were from Guangdong Province. They were at the White Swan for 10 days so they were able to give us some shopping tips.


We went with Todd and Erika to the pearl market. The pearl market was very overwhelming. So many little shops with pearls. I bought Katie a pearl necklace, bracelet, and earrings to give to her when she gets older. Of course I got pearls for myself too.


Dan with Katie outside of the US Consulate. We were not allowed to take pictures inside of the consulate. It was a beautiful and emotional ceremony. We swore Katie in as a US Citzen with 60 other families from our GWCA adoption group.

Our group back on the bus after the Consulate appointment. Did I say already how GREAT our travel group was?????


Our last dinner together as a group at the Cow and Bridge restaurant. A toast to Cindy our guide. I started to tear up looking at this photos. It was an amazing end to an amazing trip.


Cindy


Me, Emma, and Katie

Katie back at the Hotel

February 17, 2006 our last day in Guangzhou. Most of our group left this day. We stayed an extra day in Guangzhou. We were flying home the next day with Kevin, Carol, and Mia. I made the most of our free day with last minute shopping. I did so much shopping during our time in Guangzhou that I had to buy an extra suitcase at Sherry's place for $10.


Shopping

We ran into Kate and Lia while shopping


With Jordan from "Jordan's".


Sketch of Katie's picture we had done at Sherry's Place


Saying goodbye to Cindy, Todd, Erika, and Madison. We were the last family left in Guangzhou from our travel group.


Katie and Mommy

February 18, 2006
Heading home!!! We flew back to Beijing and then flew from Beijing back to Newark, NJ.


Kevin and Mia in the airport


Katie and Mommy in the airport. Look at me I am hands free!


Katie and Grace Ingram. We also flew with Carolyn and family from Beijing to Newark. Carolyn, Kevin, Mackenzie, and Grace Ingram then flew from Newark to Altanta GA. When we went to visit Carolyn and family in GA, Katie had the best time playing with Grace Ingram.


Passing the time in the airport. Mackenzie and I playing "Miss Mary Mack".


Heading home!!! It was 6pm China time when we flew out of Beijing to Newark. Katie sleep almost the whole flight. We were very lucky.

Well that's my walk down memory lane to tell about our journey to adopt Katie Min Min. My last post will be about our wonderful homecoming.