Reunion Weekend- June 25-27

Isn't it amazing that you can go a year or two without seeing some people, and when you do, you can pick up the conversation just like you've always been together. That's how it is with all of the people we celebrated with this weekend. The bond of meeting our daughters is extremely strong. We so enjoyed the weekend. The girls are all wonderfully unique, yet alike in so many ways. For example, Esther sucks the back of her hand when going to sleep, just like Abbey. There were six families gathered together this year. We met at Don and Amy's beautiful and spacious home. On Friday night we reconnected over pizza and salad. Abbey and Elijah were thrilled to have a huge yard to run around and stretch their legs in.

Abbey and Elizabeth eating pizza

The next morning we gathered and some girls swam, some played on the trampoline and some played on the swing set. Guess what Abbey did? Of course, she swam.

Then we went to a local Chinese restaurant for lunch

Where we tried to get a picture of all of the girls

Abbey, Brooke, Ellie, Esther, and Emily(Ellie's big sister) holding Dorina

Elizabeth and her  parents didn't make lunch

It took about 5 tries to get this one. I soon found out that getting a good picture of all 6 girls would be a challenge. 

For example:

Dorina, Esther, Elizabeth, Brooke, and Abbey

(Ellie wasn't feeling photogenic)

And here:

Abbey, Elizabeth, Esther,Ellie, Brooke, but no Dorina

And here:

Abbey, Esther, Ellie, Dorina, Elizabeth but Brooke was upset.

And here:

Abbey and Ellie get tired of waiting for the others

I wonder if the orphanage had the same trouble in these pictures:

Gabrielle(not at reunion),Esther,Ellie and front row: Lacy and Hannah(not at reunion), Abbey(on the end)

Esther, Lacey, and Abbey

Esther, Lacey, Abbey and Ellie(on bottom)

We finally used the timer on my camera and got a great picture of everyone

except for Elizabeth, you can only see the top of her head

After lunch and naptime, we went back and all of the girls swam:

Esther

Ellie

Abbey trying out her dive

Ellie asked her to show her how to dive

Guess who the last out of the pool was?

Elizabeth and Ellie chose to stop swimming to enjoy a story

And Elijah? He got lots and lots of attention. He didn't mind being one of 2 boys there at all! I imagine when he is older he will really enjoy it!

Dana fell in love with him

And he also enjoyed the swimming

All too soon, it was time to leave. Before we left, Dayton brought out his guitar and sang,"Happy Adoption Day". After a prayer time, we agreed to meet next year at Esther's home town of Indianapolis. By then she will have her little sister, Emma to join in the fun! 

And maybe we will be able to get a picture of all the girls together.

Next post... the Loooong trip home(with a few stops).