Continuing to Catch Up

We made it back from Indiana with one day to spare, so that Mark could rest before jumping back into the chaos at work Sunday night. That day, we went to Pappadeuxs Seafood Restaurant to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We both LOVE that place and the seafood is to-die-for. Since it is expensive, it is a treat. It serves all kinds of cajun-style seafood, as well as traditional. It is always busy and loud and has a fun atmosphere, and the wait staff is excellent. Mark and Ke Xin played at the table.

Ke Xin likes to smile for the camera, but she has a habit of smiling a BIT too much! Is she happy or is she going to bite?

The waitress took an unofficial family portrait for us. Mark hates to show his teeth, even tho the dentist has made them perfect.

Sitting on the edge of the outdoor fountain at the restaurant. Ke Xin was not happy being perched above the patio. Olivia loved it. She's becoming more fearless. Maybe it is the gymnastics lessons.

No sooner did we have our anniversary, than it was time for Mark's big day!!! Happy Birthday!!!! Mark really didn't want to celebrate this one, but we HAD to observe his special day. He hit the big 5-0!! Half a century!!!! But we were kind - no over-the-hill jokes. The girls made cupcakes for him to share at the brewery.

Then they decorated his cake. In the interests of ecomony and ecology, we recycled some of the decorations from Ke Xin's cake. It ended up alittle crunchy, but it was actually very pretty. The girls were very proud.

After vacationing, our anniversary, and his birthday, Mark and Ke Xin were pooped.

Then Ke Xin got a wonderful surprise!!! A birthday gift from Qi Meng!!!!!! She loves Kai Lan and was kissing her new baby almost before we could get her out of the box. Thank you Meng Meng!!!

Olivia disguised as a sweet angel. Sometimes this is true, and sometimes... it's not.

We finally bit the bullet and decided to update the kitchen. In this economy you never know what the next week could hold. If we have to move, we have to update or people won't even look at the house. So, we embarked on a trip to the granite shop and picked out our slab. The picture doesn't do it justice. Mark was in his element. He's a closet decorator.

I'm getting closer to getting caught up!

Next - a trip to the pumpkin patch and a kitchen renovation!