Sunday Parkways Southeast

Today we particpated in the Sunday Parkways Southeast event. This was the third event (and our first). It was a 9 mile loop through southeast Portland. The streets were closed and we biked through southeast neighborhoods. The parks along the way had booths with entertainment and food. I guess the concept originated in Bogota, Columbia where 70 miles of streets are closed to traffic.

It was a fun time meandering through streets we have never seen and watching people in costumes just enjoying the beautiful day.

PDX Vietnam group

Yesterday I met up with a group that has all adopted kids from Vietnam through our agency, PLAN. Natalie, the coordinator, tries to schedule two to three playdates a month and one moms' night out. It was great to meet other families that have adopted from Vietnam. It was interesting to hear their stories and make some new connections. I hope to attend more get togethers. It will be a good support system for me and hopefully Pearl will make some connections, too.

Tamanawas Falls Hike

We decided to hike this afternoon. We drove about an hour and a half to Tamanawas Falls. It is about a 4 mile hike with a beautiful 100 foot waterfall. Getting there was quite scenic as we walked two footbridges, mossy trails and lots of greenery along the Cold Spring Creek. It always amazes me how much water there is coming off Mt. Hood. Carli didn't complain too much and Pearl was content chattering away in the backpack carrier on Eric's back.

We decided we need to do this more often since the girls did pretty good.

Readoption...DONE!

We received our paperwork in the mail today. Our readoption is complete. All we are waiting for now is her birth certificate with her American name and our names as the parents. Next, I will get her a passport so that we can travel outside the U.S.

Whew....paperwork is finally done. The entire process with Pearl started in February 2007 and is done August 2009.