Christmas morning--our traditional photo of the kids at the top of the stairs.  We had to take 3 versions this year so that she could be held by each of them in a photo.  
Sam and Kate-- She was not sure about things at this point.
Jack and Kate--she was so exhausted but tolerated a few pictures.  

Our first pictures with all of the kids together--finally!  You can tell it was a rough 30 hours of travel by looking at the dark circles under my eyes.  They are not gone yet--hopefully, soon.

Our very luxurious ride home from the airport.  We were so happy to be home!

Merry Christmas!  12/25/08

We have been home about 24 hours.  We still have not slept much but it has been wonderful!  My parents, Don's mom, and the boys picked us up in an awesome limo!  It was a blast and a really special way to come home after such a loooong trip!  Kate did not enjoy her fist experience with a carseat and was extremely over tired.  She cried almost the whole way home.  Ben said that she was giving him a headache and Jack asked me to make her quiet so that he could hear the movie.   They have a lot to learn about our new life with a baby in the house!

We got home and the house was as clean as I have ever seen it!  We really appreciate how well they took care of the boys and everything else.  The boys had a great time with them and will miss CC and Hop.  We had a great meal that mom made and got ready for Santa to come.

The boys have been so sweet with her and keep kissing her and Ben said he would much rather have a Chinese sister than an American sister because "she is the best sister ever".

Kate woke up about 3:30, ready to be entertained and fed.  Jack helped me with that.  Then everyone was up early for Christmas.  I collapsed about noon and did not wake up until about 2:30.  We went to a friend's house for a big Christmas party.  It was so nice and we were happy for Kate to meet so many of our close friends.  She got a lot of love and overall did well with so much stimulation.  Now she is hopefully asleep until morning.  

It was an amazing Christmas for all of us and even better because CC and Hop were here to celebrate.  We hope everyone reading this also had a wonderful holiday!

12/24/08 - Guangzhou to Yorktown, VA!!

We made it back alive.  Will post details in the next day or so.  Our adventure to China has ended but new adventures await with the arrival of Kate to the Keller home.

Merry Christmas.

Don, Denise, Sam, Jack, Ben and Kate!!!!

12/23/08 - Guangzhou

Last post before we leave tomorrow. We leave the hotel before 6am and hope to arrive at Norfolk Airport around 7:30 pm. We are on the road and in the air over 24 hours to get home but it will be worth it to get back to Sam, Jack, and Ben and everyone else waiting for us. We miss everyone and home so much. Overall, i think it was worth it to bring home Kate. A few more photos from the day and now off to finish packing. Good bye from China!!

Yes, those are crocodile heads. Nice snake at the fish market.

View near the hotel.

Yes, they still have old women pedaling bike rickshaws.

12/23/08 - Guangzhou

A few photos from today. Denise and other women spent the morning shopping since there was a rumor that there were squeaking shoes somewhere near the hotel. Later on, Dave and Don went to the local market and fish wholesale market. That was one wild and happening place with fish flying and even a King Cobra in a sack about 5 feet from us.

We had to buy a gift for Kate here since her partof her middle name wasin the name of the store. Jason, our guide, did a good job showing us the good places to go.

Do you think 100 strands of pearls will be enough??

Dave decides he needs to sell pearls to have enough money to get out of China.

12/22/08 - Guangzhou

Later in the day we went to a famous pearly market downtown. Never had we seen so many jewelry stores. Yes, those are sacks of pearls along the sides ofthe store.

They cannot all be happy faces.

12/22/08 - Guangzhou

Rough day for Don as he awoke in the middle of the night with a few issues related to the local food and/or water. No further details will be posted although he is very grateful to our doctor who provided us with good med's for this situation. Don was up and moving by midday.

In further news, Denise took lots of photos of Kate in the morning while Don laid in bed hoping he could avoid a hospital. Enjoy the photos.

12/21/08 - Guangzhou

Trying to catch up on our trip so just some short words and more photos.

Tonight we went to an Italian restaurant in China. Food was good and the chef was from Italy. We are getting close!!!