HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE!!!!!!!!

Happy 10th Birthday Ashley!!!

Today was Ashley's 10th birthday!!! In honor of her birthday her family took her, along with Anna, to the Play Station. I stopped by for awhile and took Gabrielle and Gracie down the slides! Wish I had taken my camera there! Then later tonight the clan brought an ice cream cake over to our house to celebrate!!! The slide show below consist of pictures taken by me, Ashley, Anna, Gabrielle, and Gracie! I was very pleasantly surprised for how they all turned out :-) Thanks Girls!!!

Kids

This is a family that I get to spend one day a week with! -- Christian, Ashley, Gabrielle, Gracie, and Michaela! Sometimes Anna comes along, and plays with her friends Ashley, and Gabriell, and Christian! And, I get to play with Gracie and Michaela! If I am alone, I get to play with them all! We have fun either playing outside or if it is raining and we are indoors we get to play "Hide the thimble!" I have put a little slideshow together from my last time over at their house. Enjoy!



The crew L-R: Anna, Michaela, Ashley, Gabrielle, Gracie, and Christian

My two little friends, Michaela and Gracie

And my middle sized friend, Gabrielle!

FRIENDS!!!!

Yesterday, my good friend, Laura, and I spent a couple hours together enjoying the beautiful weather at a Cemetery! We have an odd fascination with Cemeteries :-) A couple of years ago we spent the Summer visiting many different ones around our area. One of our goals was to find a grave stone with the name Andria/Andrea, spelled either way. We have looked in about 5 and have not found one, though we have found lots of "Laura's." :-)

So, if anyone happens to find a grave stone with my name on it, maybe you could take a picture and pass it along to me :-)

The view from our picnic spot

Laura brought muffins, peanut butter bars, grapes, and a beverage for both of us.
Thanks Laura!

Laura and me
(I'm still learning on how to take the picture myself)

Independence Day Dance

Last night my family atttend an Independence Day Dance hostted by some of our friends! There were Polkas, Waltzes, Civil War dances , Fold Dances , Squares, Reels, and more. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed visiting with friends. My favorite dance of all was the Rustic Reel. It is very tiring, but a lot of fun! Grant was a great sport as I had him for my partner for most of the dances! Thanks Grant! Everyone was else was pretty much either paired up already or girls were playing the guys parts.



My childhood friend, Mary, dancng the Landler with her husband, David



L: Mary and me, with Molly.
R: Molly and Me resting between dances



These are pictures of the Waltzes. Anna is in the red and white shirt!


This is the Rustic Reel! The best dance of all! Very lively and quick


Not sure what the name of this dance was. I just know that I couldn't get it :-) I was forever messing up:-) Oh well! It was fun anyway!


L: Anna with her friends- Jessica on the left and Andrea on the right.
R: Some of the people that hosted the dance, Katy is holding the microphone and was in charge of the dances.

China

A year ago, July 4th, I was on my way to China! I had wanted to go to China since I was about 11, so this was like a dream come true. My parents and Anna drove me to the Des Moines airport that morning, and my plane was scheduled to leave at 12:15. From Des Moines we flew to Dallas, Texas, and from there to Los Angeles, California to Beijing, China to another Chinese city and finally arrived at our destination, Chengdu, China, 3-4 hours off schedule:-)

For three weeks we taught chinese children and adults conversational english. The kids I taught were actually 3-5 year olds, so basically we were learning colors and songs. Each week I had different students to teach, so there was always something new. I have many stories from China, so if you ever want to hear one just let me know :-)

I loved China and the Chinese people and would love to go back again someday!

These are my students from the first week of class. Kari, in the green dress, Joy, in the navy and white, Susan in the pink shirt, Tina, in the white and pink, Luke was the only boy, and Maggie, playing 'duck, duck, goose.'

Below L: This is one of the places we visited during the weekend. Not sure what the name of the place was, but it was beautful!

Below R: This is the group I was with for three weeks. We had a great time together. Katie, in the middle with the print dress, was our guide and friend in China!

The shirts say "I just want to friends how are you." We had a lot of fun wearing them knowing that is just how the Chinese speak english.

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA!!!

I took this picture as we were descending to the Des Moines airport!
Almost Home!