Emma Swims, Owen Scores!

Just a quickie. Emma had her first major swim meet this weekend. The top 15 swim clubs were there. It was a 3 day meet. Emma swam four events: the 100 yrd Breaststroke, the 50 yrd Backstroke, the 100 yrd Freestyle and the 50 yrd Breaststroke. The meet was held at an Aquatic Center on the Northwest side of Washington DC, right near Walter Reed Medical Center where many of our Iraq heroes go after being wounded in battle.

It was a humbling experience for Emma. While she did well in her heats Day 2 (see Video), she saw how fast kids can get who have been swimming year round for 2yrs or more. She also is on the small side for her age and just building up shoulder and leg strength. But she gives it her all and goes to each practice w/ enthusiasm and a love for the water. Her best event was the 100 Free which is the first event on the short vid below. What was so encouraging was at this longer distance her stroke got smoother and stronger on the inward 50. Despite my shakey camera work (don't yak Scott!) you will see she wanders too far right, instead of down the center stripe. But she refused to give up, she gets out touched by a half second at the wall, but the girl misses the timing pad...Emma Wins! My commentary has it wrong on  the video b/c there was a girl swimming in lane 2 who didn't count, she was getting an extra swim in.  Enjoy the Video.

Owen's team had a really solid game this past Sunday morning. It was the first time we decided to keep players in positions (Forward or Defense) for an entire game rather than alternating them every shift. BTW, we play half ice 4 on 4. Owen wanted to play D, like his hero Nick Lidstrom (don't ask me where he would get that from...I am all about Stevie Y). He scored 3 goals from the blue line (we won 29-8, so there were lots of hats on the ice), which was fun: two slap shots from the defensive position and one where he was out of position on defense (in front of their net) but got the quick put back. My favorite play and what i am most proud of him for lately, is his speed to the puck and on defense it's critical. In the middle of the third period, they had there top kid take the puck from us in their zone from the right wing position and he skated down toward our net at a pretty good clip stick handling all the way, i thought he had a clean shot for sure as he angled in on our goalie's left side. Our goalie (who was pretty unstable) slid slowly to his left but fell at the moment the guy was about to shoot and just as Owen who never gave up on the play was skating in with his stick extended for a poke check. Instead of stopping, Owen leaped into the air (Superman style) over our goalie and landed on the puck and stick just before the shot could get off. Our coach turned to me and said, "where the hell did he come from?" Owie, the Wings could use you on D right about now!

"Happy 1yr 'Gotcha' Anniversary to you...."

Today, December 10th, we celebrated our 1yr Gotcha Anniversary w/ Audrey. I've re-posted the original Gotcha video from Kunming and the social affairs office. For us, an for many who adopt, this is Audrey's Birthday even though we celebrate the traditional day on Aug. 21st. It would be an understatement to say she's grown, she's loved, she's changed our lives. All of which are true. But most important, she's developing into a unique little person. We are having a blast and really looking forward to this Christmas as she is now in the habit of saying "meeeeee" and "minnnnnne" and so it starts...a healthy level of self-worth and there will be no stopping her. Can't wait to see her fully participate in the rip and tear.

We celebrated w/ a trip to a traditional mainland restaurant...PF Chang's! We did it though very much like in China--all the food comes at once. Audrey stood and bounced the entire time in the booth, like one of those wind up toys. After we headed home for Kathie's fantastic red cake (no communist puns necessary) and then we watched....you guessed it...the Red Wings and a "Red Out" at the Caps center. Both of our teams were victorious last night in honor of Audrey.

Last weekend we did our annual Middleburg Hunt parade. Last year it was the weekend before we left for China so it was really fun having Audrey w/ us to see the Huntsman and dogs ride through Middleburg, get a famous Mello-Out hot chocolate and afterwards pick up our tree. Pictures are at the end of the post. It was a chilly morning, probably the coldest so far.

I won't wax poetic on the anniversary. Suffice to say we love this little girl very much and feel very humbled, as with all of our kids, to have her here. Enjoy the Gotcha Vid one more time and some of the pics from our first few days with her in China.

Many Blessings,

Tom and Kath