Guiping Girls Reunion 2008

Whew! What a weekend of continuous fun! Our travel group from Lifelink had 10 families and all 10 families get together each year. The first year we got together after the girls had just been home a few months that Labor Day. Then each year on Labor Day we have continued to get together. This is our 4th Labor Day of Fun! Each girl and their family has made it every year. We had 2 Grandmas and 2 Grandpas (My Dad went) also travel to China, so they make it to the reunions as they can. My dad hadn't seen most of the girls in 2 years.

Friday I headed up to Michelle's to do the food shopping since we were hosting the reunion there. Robin came in on Thursday to help, too and visit. Heidi came with her kids on Friday (first collage) and the 4 little girls had so much fun. These are the gals I go to Marco with each year. We love spending time together and Friday was no exception. Michelle's parents also came and visited for a while, too.
Three of us and the girls went for a little shopping and dinner and Anna and I headed for the hotel. I called my friend, Linda, that I used to live 2 down from when I lived in Bloomington. We visited until after midnight! It was great catching up!

Saturday was Reunion Day. In the morning we went to the Children's Museum and met up with as many of the families who were in town so far. Barry and the boys headed up Sat at noon to join us.That night we headed to State Farm Park and had a wonderful time. The girls were precious visiting together. There personalities are really shining now and they seem to just pick up where they last were on their last visit. It is always interesting explaining to Anna how the girls all came to be friends. She understands that all 10 girls lived in the same place in China at the same time while they waited for their familes. It is a tough concept at this age. We always revisit the same questions and each year they get more complex from her point of view.

The pink shirts say Guiping Sisters and have a map of China on it with them in Guangxi. Anna loves getting a new shirt like this from the reunion....thanks, Angie. Check out the Eckert blog for an adorable video of the girls playing ring around the rosie. It is just so sweet!
Sunday, we headed to Miller Park Pavillion and had lunch. Christie gave the girls a make up kit and they all loved that. Robin had a blast painting the girls' toe nails, etc. It was nice visiting again before everyone took off for home. What a great weekend!

The boys had a blast all weekend, too. There are plenty of big brothers to play with and they enjoy getting together with the other boys each year. I am glad that they look forward to the reunions and don't dread them. Brandon especially loved the bouncy house on Saturday and they are both thrilled when we get to stay in a hotel!

Yesterday, we had a nice surprise visit from The Hamby clan. They decided to come back from Iowa to visit family and dropped by. We were all thrilled! We really miss them in our little cul de sac. Things just aren't the same here without them. Sigh.....

Anyway....what a whirlwind wonderful weekend!
Anna starts preschool today, so stay tuned!