some homecoming pictures and other odds and ends

The boys have been in the United States for exactly 1 week and we have had a lot of firsts. RIchnightder has ridden two of our horses and LOVES it. Jerome has warmed up to at least the cat and it can now occupy the same room that he is in without hysterics. Rich loves ice cream and Jerome can leave it. Both had blood draws yesterday for a gob of tests and today they go to the pediatrician for their full physicals.

Yesterday, Rich was teasing Jerome and telling him "gros piki" which translates to 'big shot' and Jerome would and did scream friggin bloody murder. Rich knew Jerome hated needles and teased him mercilessly. Jerome screamed so much he has lost his voice today and his eyes are still bloodshot. Rich watched they stick the needle in and suck the blood out of his tiny arm without a flinch.

After that fun event, we stopped at the store to get new bikes for each of them. Hot wheels just didn't cut it anymore. They smiled ear to ear and even knew they were to wear helmets. How they knew that is beyond me. They cried last night when they had to come in for bed because they were having so much fun on their new rides. They are already buggin me to go out now and ride, but it is drizzly and foggy and just plain chilly and damp. Translation....I don't want to go out yet!

Because our family functions best on chaos, our 12 year old Chow Chow came home from the kennel last Monday looking puny. On Wednesday we took him to the vet and they ended up doing surgery yesterday morning and removing a 9 pound tumor in his spleen. We don't know yet it if is malignant or benign, but at least the dog is feeling better and we have bought him some pain free time with us. The tumor was so large they took pictures and emailed them to me. Anyone want to see???

Here are some pictures of our pick-up trip. Remember we did not get anywhere but the transition house and airport. So here they are including a few from our 2 nights in Miami and the bike shopping trip yesterday.