Future Red Wing

Our City

For years (close to 10) I have been calling Boston "Our City". I love the skyline, the energy, the attitude, the food, the shopping, and the friends we made there. Now we have a new city to call ours...Shanghai.

Doug and I spent 8 days there, getting to know the city, the neighborhoods, the schools, the grocery stores, the CRAZY driving, and the many, many, many "villas" that we looked at. In the end, we decided on a penthouse apartment on the 21st floor in a part of the city called Hongqiao (pronounced hung chow). It is walking distance from lots of stores, markets, resturants, the subway, and a 25 minute drive from Doug's office downtown.

We also found a great school in the same neighborhood, Yew Chung International School http://www.ycis-sh.com/home/home.stm. Pia has a confirmed spot starting January for 3 days a week and hopefully they find one for Eric as well. The school is fantastic. They will receive a bilingual education (English and Chinese) and will even start violin lessons at age 4 (this was Eric's request...that we find a school with guitars and violins. Success!) The school and friends that have kids there as well say that the kids will be bilingual within the first 6-8 months (parents, not so much. Try 6-8 years!)

Overall, a successful first trip! Now the fun really begins... ;O)

East meets West

Views from the Bund

A typical Chinese commodities market
(aka everything that "fell off the truck")

The Shanghai World Financial Center at Night
(The 3rd tallest building in the world)

After this, it was confirmed that Doug was a go!

And after this, Eric was confirmed a go!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have been blessed in so many ways. Thanks Grandpa Dar and Grandma De for the fantastic week!

Congratulations Doug!!!

Our New Home = Shanghai, China

ETA = late January 2011

Duration = 3 years

Why = Because we have a super-smart daddy!!!

We are SUPER excited and looking forward to the adventure that the next 3 years will bring. We welcome any and all visitors. And don't worry...Eric has already packed his backpack and is ready to go. Too bad he thinks that the buildings in downtown Elmira are "so big mommy!" :o)

I sure hope they let these two in?!!

(Stay tuned for more details and pictures as we figure things out!)

Friends

While Daddy was out in South Bend living it up with his buddies, Mom and the kids headed west to Albany and met up with Mrs. Kris and Owen for a fun fall weekend before Baby Daniel arrives. We had such a great time and were reminded once again how lucky we all are to have such great friends.

Boys will be boys...Pia is definitely one tough cookie!

H is for Hockey

Happy Halloween

Photo Shoot

Eric has been sneaking the camera off the counter and taking pictures. Up until this shoot, he has specialized in taking pictures of the inside of the garbage can. Apparently, it is hard to get the trash to say cheese so he has started practicing on his sister. As you can see, she loves it. And Eric sure has a talent for capturing the true lovable Pia!

Firsts

There is nothing better than the taste of your first Smore....