Adoptive family friends

Our trip out west was also a chance to meet up with a few other adoptive families. First we had a picnic in the park with Lin and her two Chinese girls, Carol and Rae. I first met Lin almost three years ago, when Mustang and I visited Edmonton for the first time. At that time Carol was just 2 1/2 and a lively youngster. Since then, in January 2007, Lin took Carol back to China to adopt her little sister Rae. That fall, Carol fell ill with some strange and debilitating symptoms that the doctor's just couldn't figure out. With much persistance on Lin's part and consultations with a wide range of specialists (including in the US), she was finally diagnosed with neurological Lyme disease and some co-infections. Now that she is being treated she is starting to recuperate, and there is hope for a full recovery, but she is still anxious and less verbal than normal for a five-year-old.

(Mustang was happy to be meeting some Chinese girls for a change. "They're all Ethiopian kids!" she'd been complaining to me...)

Rae, Lin and Carol:

The four kids enjoying playtime in the wading pool:
Button and Mustang, all wet:

And, yes, we did visit some Ethiopian adoptive families, too. Two of Button's closest friends at the Transition House had ended up in Edmonton. One, Kenean, was the oldest of sibling group of three, who had just come home about three months earlier. With a three- or four-month lead over them, Button's English was notably better - but that had no impact on their ability to play together! They definitely remembered Button and I think he remembered them, too. We had a blast and I sure hope we can visit again.

Kenean, Shay, Kai and Button: Tracey with her three and my two:
The kids enjoying some water play:
Mustang, button and Kenean all dolled up: My angel Button (or is that a princess?) and Kenean goofing off:
Button and Kai:
Shay:
Little Kai:

Edmonton relatives

Two of Laolao's brothers live in Edmonton and they make a point of getting together a couple of times a month (when Laolao and Laoye are actually in Edmonton!). While we were there they came to our place once, we went to UnkaRock's place once, and once we met up at the restaurant where my cousin works.

UnkaKing: UnkaRock:
UnkaRock's wife, AuntieKay:
Their daughter, Angel (adopted from China 13 years ago at the age of 3):
Angel and Mustang, the two Chinese cousins (once-removed):
The only one of Laoye's side of the family who lives nearby is my Cousin Chief and his wife Chef and kids. Chief was always my favourite cousin when I was growing up. We'd visit his family on the farm in southern Alberta and he'd always have time for me (he's 10 years older than me). When he attended University in Edmonton and then married and settled down nearby, we stayed close. They visited me once when I lived in Winnipeg, but have yet to make it out east (hint, hint).

They live on an acreage just east of town. We met up with their oldest daughter, Ell, who is on her own in an apartment in Edmonton. Son Rusty was travelling in Europe at the time with his little sister Kay, so we missed seeing them.

Chief & Chef's house in the country:
Chief, Mustang, Button & Chef: