Ryan turns 5

We celebrated Ryan's 5th birthday today. Grandpa Bill happened to be with us as he had come around from Chicago last night and was on his way to business in Lansing. It was a great treat. Daddy bought donuts and Ryan and Jake LOVED them. This was a very hard day for Jake. We think this must have been his first birthday celebration and he was very jealous of Ryan's gifts and the attention she received. Even though Jake has incredible English and is extremly bright it is these intangible concepts we have a hard time communicating.

Final Days of Florida

We spent our last few days in Florida with gorgeous weather. Jake fell in love with Papa when he took him fishing 3 times. They did not catch anything but got to see dolphins extremely close. We also went kayaking with Grandpa and almost had to throw Samantha overboard as she was freaking out about the possibilities of manatee attacking her boat. We decided to keep her in the end.

Casey and Papa. Clearly the best crew!!

Anna and Samantha

Papa patiently teaching Jake how to fish.

Marco Island

Daddy came back to Florida and we went for a long weekend at the Marco Island Marriott Resort. We had a great time living the high life on the beach. We had a blast watching Jake and Ryan experience the beach and pool. Jake continued to amaze us with his swimming and even managed to get Ryan to go down the slide with him. He loved the beach and was so taken with his $5 kite. In the past two weeks Jake has taught himself to swim and can now dive down pretty far and stay down for quite awhile (for a five-year-old that is) and loved every minute of it. One of the pools had a zero depth area, and Ryan loved being able to stand up in a real pool. She spent most of her time there running in and out of the pool while laughing so hard, she was adorable. One of Jake's favorite things in the resort was of course, the arcade. The hotel was right on the beach so we walked out at sunset both nights, though not for long because Jake and Ryan get a bit grouchy at that time of day. We had a great weekend and love the time we get to spend with each other.

Jake flying his kite. He is not very good at it

due to his lack of patience.

Ryan in the arcade loved play guitar hero.

Picking up seashells in the morning

Pizza dinner on the balcony.

Florida!!!

We're in Florida!! That's right we are in warm sunny FL for one more week and we are loving it! We left for the airport at 4:45 in the morning of Wednesday the 10th and we made it to Florida at noon. Jake and Ryan did great on the flight ( much better than the 15 hr flight home from China). Anyway we have one more week here so we will post about that too. We are here in our Grandparent's house so they got to meet Jake for the first time. Jake absolutely loves it here and the pool is his favorite part (except for us that is). Jake has pretty much taught himself to swim in one week and is getting better every day. Ryan loves swimming too and is branching out so much. Jacob loves "watch TV" (in his little Chinese accent, of course), and is still deciding whether he likes TV or the pool better. Grandma and Papa love seeing Jake too. They do not believe us that he actually knew no English 2 months ago. Papa and Jake are buddies. When asked whether she wanted to go into the pool Ryan said "No that's okay, I going to get a suntan." Is she not adorable of what? Jake got to experience the beach today. We are pretty sure it was his first time and he LOVED IT!!! He is totally soaking in all these new experiences. He sits still and observes everything. We saw dolphins off the beach shuttle boat on Thursday and yesterday we saw manatees. Jake is so fascinated by everything and Ryan is feeding off his enthusiasm.

Grandma and (most of) the kids.

Grandma and Jake

Sunbathing

Daddy launching

Before we went for a walk one morning, Jake

was picking up Ryan... So cute.

Ryan's new swimsuit

Jake loooovesssss swiming

Spring is Coming!!

Here in Portage, MI, the snow is finally melting and the buds are almost on the trees and that gives us hope for warmer weather and Spring. Jake is continually learning more and more English and is started to say near full sentenecs although still calls us all old ladies. Jacob loves his new school and teacher and now looks forward to going everyday(when he is not mad that is). Here are just a few pictures of how everyday life is at the Yacullo house.

Jake can jump onto the swing easily and Ryan can't so he tried to help her up

Ryan's "stylish" outfit

Jake playing in the sandbox

Separating egg whites with our friend, Marissa

(this was right after soccer practice)

Jake's Kungfu outfit he picked himself