Internet problems

For the past week we've had very troublesome Internet problems and no service much of the time. So when this happens, it takes Bob to the top of our roof to do some adjusting. Actually he uses a **map, a **compass, Wendy via speaker phone at the downstairs main computer, (she's a new recruit to Internet issues, for Abbey always had this job), a wrench, tools etc., plus a very long ladder. When we lived in Elmhurst we just called Kevin or some other non-physical means to solve the problem. We're trying a new type of antenna, though the Internet service didn't seem to have much hope with this antenna either.

**Bob uses the map and compass to determine how to aim the antenna, not how to reach the top of our roof.

Yes, it's broccoli.

Exercise for Daniel

More 4th

Morgan

Holly and Mark Andrew's newest little one. She made the rounds.

Playing Wii

Cousins

Fireworks

At the fireworks

4th of July with the Hill's

Aunt Laura, Grandpa Jack, Daniel, Katy

Justin helping Uncle Mark and Uncle Michael with the corn.

Parking is always an issue at the lake house. It's a driveway you'd think would fit 3 or 4 cars. Well, because of Uncle Mark's expertise he was able to fit 2 full sized Tahoe's, 1 large Suburban, a 15 passenger van, 1 mini van, a Jetta and 1 Toyota Highlander. Quite an accomplishment. The overflow was across the street. We thought about stacking Tom's Fox.

4th of July parade in Sharon, WI

We went to the 4th of July parade in Sharon, WI. The DeL's live there, so we joined them and the R. Erber family, plus Abbey and Josh. We had been to the Sharon parade in years past and what we remember were the great number of fire engines and sirens that seemed to never end; but this year, though there were quite a few fire engines, etc., these were greatly out numbered by tractors. Hundreds of tractors, so we thought! It was a nice time, perfect weather.

The little ones were a little puzzled at first with someone throwing something at them as the parade went by. It did not take them long to realize that candy was being thrown.

Justin

Olivia update, again.

The following was taken from our adoption agency's blog. It is very exciting to see that our LID (as far as Bethany is concerned) is next!!


07/07/2008
REFERRALS!
Category NoneBookmark : Bethany Christian Services just received 5 female referrals and 1 male referral from the Guangxi Province!!! They are for our January 24, 2006 LID group. Congratulations! CCAA has confirmed matching referrals through January 25,2006. Our next LID's are: February 6, 2006, February 20, 2006 and February 22, 2006.Families will be seeing their children's referral information tomorrow!!


China advanced 5 LID days in July. We were hoping for more, but are thankful that they did make progress. China advanced 3 days in May, 8 days in June and 5 days in July. Compare that to 3 years ago when they were taking about 30 LID days for 30 calendar days. China just works its way through the established LID days. The only way someone gets through quicker is if you can be matched with a special needs child or if one or both adoptive parents come from a Chinese heritage. There are 2 LID dates in front of us, in the big picture, 2/26 and 2/27. From 2/28 through 2/5 there are NO LID days, because of the Chinese New Year. So we are hoping we are in the next batch, our LID being 2/6/2006. The 2008 Olympics will be held in Beijing Aug. 8-24, so we're hoping that they at least announce referrals in August, but there are no guarantees.

Until we receive a referral we won't know where we would be traveling or when, so we can't really prepare too much. China is huge and we could be sent almost anywhere in the country. So we keep waiting. Though I can say we are much more anxious these days, thinking that a new little one in our house could happen fairly soon.

C o l b i e concert

Lizzy, Katy, Aunt Laura, Aunt Wendy, Wendy Elise, Dee, Daniel, Tom, Grandpa Jack, Bob



We went to a concert in Milwaukee, which is part of its huge music festival. The event is on a huge parcel of land, 75 acres, so it wasn't wall to people. It was a pretty tame crowd, being mid-week. So things worked out good for us.

Colbie reminds us definitely of her mom, but we could see Aunt Bev in her too. Aunt Wendy was showing off pictures of Colbie of when she was younger.

Brothers