Photos: Aunty Lucy's Gifts

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Lydia is "all smiles" as she holds a pair of pajamas, one of several birthday gifts that she received from Aunty Lucy and Uncle John who live in New York state.

Upper landing

Note: Aunty Lucy is the youngest of the three paternal cousins of Lydia's dad.

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Lydia is carefully examining this little clear bottle that contains bubble bath solution, another present from Aunty Lucy and Uncle John.

Living room

Note: Both of these pictures were taken on January 28, 2009 in our home.

Photos: Day Care January 2009

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Agate and Lydia

Notes: Lydia, who is holding her pink bunny, and Agate are wearing dress up clothes. (Each day care participant is permitted one soft toy, and Lydia's stuffed animal is the pink bunny.)

January 2009 was a difficult month for Lydia because of two reasons. First, she graduated to the preschool class, which is comprised of three-, four-, and five-year olds. Second, her toddler teacher, Rajni, was absent for the month because of the tragic death of her husband earlier in the month.

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A grandmother of one of the children periodically comes to the toddler class as a volunteer to read to the kids.

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Lauren (one of Lydia's very good friends in the toddler class), Lydia, and Gabrielle

Note: All of these pictures were taken during January 2009 by the staff at Whizz Kids in the toddler class.

Photos: Chinese New Year Home

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To commemorate Chinese New Year and to be nicely attired for church today, Lydia is wearing a dress with a Chinese theme, a gift from Carolyn Pastoriza, one of Lydia's mom's coworkers, friends, and an adoptive mother of a Chinese daughter (Vivian).

Living room of our home

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Chens and Chins

(left to right, first row): Samuel Chen, Evelyn Chen, Lydia

(left to right, second row): Jenny Chen, James Chen, dad, and mom

After church today, we had a second Chinese New Year dinner with the Chens at T & T Seafood Restaurant in Edmonds, Washington.

Photo note: After finishing our lunch, we moved to an empty, clean table to take this picture.

Note: Both of these pictures were taken on January 25, 2009.

Photos: Chinese New Year Dinner

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Dad, mom, and Lydia

Photographer: Peng Liew

Note: We met with Peng, the Chews (Steven, Tammy, and Nicholas), and another family (friends of Peng) for a Chinese New Year dinner at Mei's Place this evening.

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The waiter is serving the shark fin soup.

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Lydia is smiling as Auntie Tammy talks with her. To Auntie Tammy's left is her son, Nicholas, and then her husband, Steven.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 24, 2009 at Mei's Place, a Chinese restaurant, in Renton, Washington.