Summer 2008

As I sit waiting for it to snow (UGH), I am remembering the fun we had this summer. Ali came from Philadelphia. When I picked her up from the airport, I couldn't believe how much she had grown - such a little lady. Kathleen and the boys were here and we got to see Jeff for a short time. It is always fun to have them here. Melissa and boys and Kristin and Jen came often we we had a good time. The boys are the BEST! Papa built them a tree house and, as Liam would say, "No girls allowed!" Ali, Liam and I spent one night in the tree house - it took me awhile to recover from that!

Uncle Mike's favorite holiday is July 4th. He helped the boys with the fireworks. Both Liam and Tyler, however, weren't sure about the noise!

A few of my favorites!

I apologize in advance for how this turns out. As you know, Grandma is very creative and my girls are very creative - it skipped a generation! The pictures are in no particular order, and even if I wanted them to be, I wouldn't be able to make it happen!

The Schall's NOT playing whiffle ball!

Maddie showing her smile

This was my favorite of all the pics of the greats because ALL of the greats were there.

Jen and Curtis

Katie and Hunter
Megan on the scale, weighing purses
Dylan going down - and up - the slide
Richard - even he is getting old!

Gramps with Elsa
Tyler, Sierra and Jake fishing - he became Tyler's favorite
Four generations (look at the proud grandma!)

Liam and Olivia feeding the ducks.

Jeff helping one of the nieces play whiffle ball.
My four grandsons - this is my favorite because they are all looking in different directions - it is perfect!
Liam, Tyler, Hunter, Jesse

Collin swimming

Grams with Jasmine - she loves the greats!
Gramps and Dylan going for a ride.
Tyler running after Jesse - it kept them busy for hours.
Kristin and Mike cleaning Grams kitchen - getting ready for the festivities.
Phil and family - I just love it!

A few more photos .....

Nate took Ali fishing and she brought her fish home to show us. They cleaned it and put it the fridge. I promptly (and secretly) threw it away.

Ali and Tyler at the fireworks. We went to the University where Daryl used to work to watch them. Tyler didn't like the noise much; Dylan thought the whole thing was great!

Ali

Ali came from Philadelphia the end of June and is going home Monday (Aug 4). We have had a good time, but she is ready to see her family! We did a lot of things: the reunion (floating the river, swimming, the jump house, whiffle ball); went swimming; played in the river; went to my office where she organized a project for the front office and another one for me. (She is truly her mother's daughter, although is still learning the fine art of the details!) She played with Tori, her friend from before, and made new friends (Noelle and Jude). She got to spend some time with Nonnie, and she also informed us several times she was BORED! She also spent time doing Math and Reading.

This is a picture of the bike my family gave me for Mother's Day. I love riding it and am working on the hills. Thank you so much!

Streets of Shanghai

This is the best way to get around Shanghai. Everyone rides bikes and they have the right of way - first bikes, then taxis, last pedestrians. An interesting note - the lines in the roads are just suggestions! We used a taxi a lot - sometimes a scary experience (they aren't very expensive).
Jeff, Liam and I went for a bike ride to the Puxi side of Shanghai.



Liam and I were looking at some eels, fish and octopus that were being sold on the street when a rooster (just across from where we were standing) ran in front of us squawking - scared us to death!
This is what we had for lunch. It was really good!

Shanghai

Here are some pictures of my trip to China. It was the best and I really loved it. This building is Jin Mao. There is an observation deck on the 86th floor and you can see as far as the smog will let you. On the elevator to the deck, it is like going up a high mountain - ears plugging and all. There are over 6,000 skyscrapers in Shanghai and since there are no building rules or codes, you see a little of everything. Amazing!

This is the Pearl - a landmark in Shanghai. It is close to Jin Mao and you can see both from the window of Jeff and Kathleen's apartment. The pink is really pretty. Of to the side of both Jin Mao (which is the 5th tallest building in the world) and the Pearl, is the 3rd tallest building which is still being contructed.

The buildings with the red tops are the complex where Jeff and Kathleen live. They live in the shorter group - tower 10, third floor. There is a lot of green space - pools, parks, flowers - very pretty and nice.