FIRST ANNUAL REUNION

Our China travel group had its first annual reunion in Manhattan Beach. About half of the families attended. It was absolutely amazing to see all of the girls (and one boy) together again. And walking!

On Saturday night we had a dinner (Chinese, natch'), a slide show, a raffle, and lots of play time.

Sunday we all had breakfast together (Western food, just like in China) and then we all headed to a beautiful park for more playtime and pizza.

It was great to see everyone and for us it was especially wonderful to see our friends Lawrence (Wacky Weekend Weatherman), Sharon (Intrepid Girl Reporter), and Jessica (Cute as Punch) Karnow. We traveled with Sharon and Lawrence (Along with Sharon's dad, the infamous Mysterious Mr. Chin) the entire three weeks we were in China. We're in the early stages of planning a two family trip to China in 2008.

Here's a photo of us with the our friends the Louie's, who couldn't make the reunion, and the Karnow's. It's also a very rare photo of the Mysterious Mr. Chin, International Man of Mystery.

A SWINGING GOOD TIME

These pictures of Mark and Michayla look like they should be in People magazine: "Candid shots of popular writer, Mark Brown, playing with his daughter in the park."

GOAL LINE STANCE

The park was beautiful. But there was no barrier between the kids and the scum-green pond (as can be seen in the pic of the Karnows taking a picture near said pond).

Well, Jessica Karnow's blood thirst for danger got the better of her and she made a dash for the pond. Fortunately, Sharon is not only a reporter extraordinaire, but a former Raiders football player, and she made one heck of a goal line stance.

KISSING SISTERS

Michayla and Jessica Karnow share a kiss after not seeing each other for over a year.

TWO TUCKERED TODDLERS

Michayla and Jessica are pooped after a long weekend.

GO FLY A KITE!

We went to Nicki's theatre's big shindig Gala and spent the night at the Hyatt, right on the beach. The next morning we went out and Mark and Michayla flew that old Chinese invention, the kite. You can see what a big helper Michayla was. Fly, Dora the Explorer, fly!!

LABOR DAY

We spent Labor Day weekend in NJ and NYC. Here's Michayla entertaining her grandparents.

EARNING HER KEEP

Mark and Michayla were put to work at Nini and Pop's. Michayla is a natural.

GOTCHA ANNIVERSARY

Sept. 5 was our one year Gotcha Day anniversary. We celebrated in Chinatown, NYC, with our friends Carol and Charlie.

We'll find any occassion to eat soup dumplings.

TERHUNE ORCHARD

We made our semi-annual pilgrimage to Terhune Orchards in Princeton. Michayla was most amazed at seeing her first caterpiller.

PSST...

Michayla...don't look now but there's a sheep right behind you.

DOG

Nicki's dad's boss gave Michayla a stuffed dog and it has become her favorite. And she has named him Dog.

PRE-REUNION

We got together with some of the families we traveled with to China. Laverne, Chuch, and Mitzi threw a kickin' pool/make your own pizza party.

FASHION DIVA

A girl has look good in Las Vegas. Michayla had more costume changes than Cher at a Cher concert.

DOLPHIN HABITAT

We visited the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. Michayla loved it. You could get really close to the dolphins. But I have to tell you, Dan Marino is a little stinky.

MY TWO GIRLS

GELATO

I wonder if Michayla likes chocolate gelato?

LIONS AND TIGERS AND...ALPACAS?

We visited Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage. It's a wonderful display of very tired lions, very tired tigers, and alpacas. Alpacas? Maybe they're used as appetizers.

NOT SO SECRET GARDEN

Ladies and Gentlemen, Siegfried and Roy!

And you wonder why the tiger mauled him.

WILD ON VEGAS

We went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. While none of the fish are topless, it's still a really cool place.

We saw a Golden Alligator.







Michayla was mesmorized by the Water Monitor Lizard. The second largest lizard in the world.







SHARK!




This fish looks harmless but can suck your brain out through your ear.