Play set for Will and Sami

For many years I have not wanted to put up a play set because I didn't want to have to mow and trim around it.  This year I finally gave in.  I told Lisa to research it and buy it and have it installed.  She did all but the last part.  I asked some co-workers to come and help.  The instructions said 2 people should accomplish the assembly in 6 to eight hours.  I and my co-workers made 6 and in one day we only did about half.  I then had them come again for a couple hours another day and one person came for a few hours on a third day.  I worked on it for two full days at the end of the week, and finally it was finished.  A week long project!  Not what I had in mine.  Good thing I had the week off from work.  Please enjoy the pictures.

Halloween 2010

Here are some pictures of Sami and Will this year from Halloween.  They are very cute.  Enjoy

Our New Friend From China

At the beginning of Sami's 6th grade school year we had an exchange student from China stay with us for a week.  Her English name is Sherry.  It is part of a program between the two schools.  Sami's school's staff went to China, and this time their staff plus some students came to the U. S.   First Sherry's group went to New York and then D.C.  Then they came here and went to school with the American students.  Every other evening an event was planned.  The off nights we did things at home or we took her somewhere.  Once the group left Indiana they went to Disney Land in Calf.  for  about 2 days then back to China.  There is talk of our students going to China maybe next Fall.  Sami really wants to go and Lisa says she has to go as well.  That will cost some real bucks but if we can do it, it will be a real awesome event in Sami's life.

Below are some pictures of the visit.  Please enjoy.

Here Sherry and Sami are touring the Motor Speedway.

This is the museum.

Will is on the bus going around the track.

These are some Chocolate race cars they bought.

When they first arrived the students were introduced to their partners.  Sami and her friend Carmen are posing with their new "Friends"  The school had a cookout planned, but Carmen and Sami were going to the Selena Gomez concert at the State Fair and made it so the two Chinese girls could attend with them.  Now that is an introduction!

One of the events the school had was all the kids attend The Incredible Pizza Co. down on the south side.  Here Sami, Sherry, Carmen, and Lisa pose in front of a dvd maker where they made a dvd of each pair in a music video.

This was a great picture of all of us at the end of the evening and week at the pizza place.  There were many more photos taken, but too many to share.  There were lots of great activities for them all week.  Sami and Sherry became close and still e-mail each other frequently.  We enjoyed having her.