We're on Day 11!

Hello fellow blog readers and/or blog stalkers... Chris (Darrach) here... I just wanted to let everyone know about a Welcome Home Brunch we are having for Evan and the rest of the MacKinnon clan this Friday (June 27th) at 10:00 AM at the Darrach residence. Nothing too fancy... just a light brunch... I realize some of you are from "away"... like BC and such places... so I figured if I gave you a couple of days notice you could hop in the car tonight and be here on time. If you need our address, please send me a quick email to cdarrach@gmail.com. We live at #14 right across the street from Chris and Tammy's house!

We all took the kids to a play area in a big mall to let them burn off some energy! They had lots of fun.

Evan riding a helicopter at the play place


Evan posing with his favorite Olympic Lucky Babies!


Ready for the day...heading to the bus

Evan and XinYue played for 3 hours straight in the hotel rooms and in the hallway. They are really just too cute!!!

Sam J (Tracy J's son) came to join in for some fun watching the Olympic Lucky Babies Cartoon.

WOW, we can't believe we are coming home in 2 days. At times, it seems like we've been in China for weeks but it also feels as if it's gone by quickly.

Today we went to the Pearl Market which meant LOTS of things to buy (according to Evan) so it didn't go very smoothly. We knew this going in so at least we were prepared for meltdowns. And Evan didn't disappoint us...we have 4 MAJOR temper tantrums and a few other little ones. To give you an idea of how the day went....when we got back to the hotel room, Chris went over to the big window ledge and said "can I please jump?!".

Each day is a bit easier because we feel like we are understanding each other better but each day is also stressful with several meltdowns. Overall, Evan is really a happy, outgoing boy and loves, loves, loves to play! He is 110% boy!!!

For those of you who have adopted babies and are now returning to China to adopt an older child - you will find the trip much different. The activities that we enjoyed last time are much more difficult with a child who runs everywhere, gets tired and cranky, needs real food to eat and not a bottle and who wants to be carried but can't go in a snuggly or stroller. The shopping expeditions are torture and even meal times are hard to get through. BUT, each day gets a bit easier and every day we get to see more and more personality in the children.

We are still enjoying the interaction between the kids (especially XinYue and Evan) and watching them play together and talk to each other. We are so disappointed everyone lives so far away and we can't get together for playdates.

Our guide from Nanning spoke with Evan's foster mother and she is very, very sad that he was adopted. When she first found out he was going to be adopted she couldn't stop crying. Evan lived with her for 4 years so I'm sure she loved him very much (and we can definitely tell she spoiled him!). She told our guide that we (our family) was getting a wonderful gift in Jun Jun. I was blown away that she used those words because we've titled our blog "the Gift of You". And of course she's right...Evan Jun Jun is an amazing gift to us!

Caleb is doing well but is getting homesick and today he wasn't feeling so well.

Above are several pictures of Evan (and some of his friends)....soon many of you will meet this little ball of energy in person!

Enjoy the photos...