Images From Our Journey To The Oklahoma Panhandle

Here are quite a few photos we took last weekend when we visited Brycie's dad and stepmom in Guymon, Oklahoma. Our blog is taking on a whole new look. It has become "Our Journey WITH Clare Isabella JiaQi." We began way back last year before we traveled to China. We have tried to chronicle our journey to and with sweet Clare. Our purpose and intent in this blog is to share with our friends, neighbors, relatives, and those who just "happen on" to our blog, our wonderful new life with Clare Isabella JiaQi Loepp. So, we want you to meet Clare's family and friends. We want to share with you the wonderful things happening in Clare's new life with a mommy and daddy. We used to say "mama and baba" -- now it is mommy and daddy. It is not our intention to bore you with family photos. It is our intention to please you with family photos. If you are a regular follower, we want you to know us "up close and personal." So, here goes with photos of some of our great family.

Sunday breakfast at Papa and GranTerrie's house in Guymon, Oklahoma.

Clare and her cousin, Mia, ready for bed after a big day in the pool.

Brycie's look says "don't you be lookin' at my hand."

Playing cards after a big day in the pool.

This is GranTerrie. Fabulous hostess -- the best of the best. Thanks for a great weekend, Terrie. We love you.

Clare loves watermelon, much to her dad's dismay. Her dad can't handle watermelon. His mom, may she rest in peace, takes the blame. She craved watermelon while she was pregnant with Jim, way back in 1945-46, and decided that that is why Jim hates watermelon. Wive's tale???

Marina (on the right) and her good friend, Brooke.

Here is Sean, Brycie's stepbrother, tossing his daughter, Mia, into the pool.

Sean tossing his son, Morgen, into the air. These kids sure love to be "tossed." Sean is a good dad.

Brooke (Marina's friend) in the "who can make the least splash" game.

Drake, in the "who can make the least splash" game.

Drake in "who can make the biggest splash" game.

Brooke in "who can make the biggest splash" game.

Family friend, Mike, just about to eat the "worm" from the bottom of the Mezcal bottle.

"The Worm."

Keith (Papa - Brycie's dad) and Mike with the Mezcal bottle.

Two beautiful young ladies, lookin' good.

Two beautiful young ladies, Marina and Brooke.

Clare's brother, Drake. He had great fun playing on the blow-up dragon. The dragon's ears kinda look like a bra, don't ya think? We plan to use this photo against Drake when he least suspects it.

This is Joanie, GranTerrie's mother from Springfield, Colorado, with her grandson, Sean, and great grandson, Morgen.

This picture, and the next, are of Marina's friend, Brooke. She is quite an accomplished swimmer. She has been driving to Hutchinson, Kansas, from her home in Pratt, Kansas, for a number of years, to train. She does this year around. As a result, she has become an NCAA Division I prospect. She is looking at both The University of Kansas and The University of Texas for an opportunity to swim for a Division I school. We asked her to show us several of her "strokes."

Good luck, Brooke. We wish you success.

"Joanie." GranTerrie's mom, enjoying the beautiful day.

Here is Mia enjoying the day also.

Sweet little Morgen, enjoying the day.

Marina and Brooke.

Mia and her pretty smile.

GranTerrie in the kitchen, doin' what she does best . . . puttin' a party together.

Jim always enjoys helping GranTerrie in the kitchen. He's trying to learn her "tricks," but he is a slow learner.

Fun at Papa and GranTerrie's House

Last weekend we took Clare, Marina, Drake, and Marina's good friend, Brooke, to Guymon, out in the Oklahoma Panhandle, to see Papa and GranTerrie. Clare had quite a time. That girl loves the water. Enjoy Clare in the pool.

Bundled up after a full day in the pool.

Clare loves jumping into the pool.

Here is the beginning of the jump you see above.

Of course there had to be water fights. Here is Clare, atop Brooke, fighting cousin Mia, atop her dad, Sean (Brycie's stepbrother).

The water fight between Clare and Mia was "even-steven," but when brother Drake arrived on the scene, it was "katy-bar-the-door." Here goes Mia down for the count.

And now, Clare down for the count.

Fighting cousins, Clare and Mia.

Clare jumping off the diving board to sister, Marina.

Clare jumping to sis.

Clare does love her sister, Marina. Marina takes good care of Clare.

Clare just-a-splashin'

Clare is trying to learn to swim.

Cool goggles, huh?

Considering adoption? Consider a special needs child from China!

Clare was a "waiting child" as was Hutson Benedict, our 11-year-old-soon-to-be-son who waits for us in Beijing, China. What a blessing from God!!!

Meet More of Clare's Family

Here are some images from the Hutson Family Reunion held last weekend in Ft. Worth. Clare got to meet a lot of cousins and aunts and uncles (from Brycie's paternal grandmother's side of the family).

Brycie and her two beautiful daughters, Marina and Clare.

Marina is a real beauty. She is a freshman at Wichita State University.

"Granterrie" This gal can put a party together in a split second. We are always amazed at how effortless it is for Terrie to host a party. When we had Clare's baptism a few weeks ago, Terrie and Keith came to celebrate with us. We had planned a brunch after Mass, and honestly thought we had it all together. Then, things started happening and Jim was in a "tizzy". Terrie stepped in and calmly got everything in order. Thanks, Terrie.

Brycie's handsome son, Drake. Watch out girls, he's available.

Mia is giving her "Papa" a back rub at the reunion.

This is Morgen, handsome little son of Sean and Audra. Sean is Terrie's son, and Brycie's stepbrother.

Sweet Audra and Morgen.

This is Sean, who is Granterrie's son and Brycie's stepbrother.

Papa (Brycie's dad, Keith)

Brycie's son Drew, doing what Drew does best (next to basketball and baseball).

Brycie's brother, Bryan, from Ft. Worth. The kids call him "Uncle Bubba". Clare really loves him and enjoys the time she gets to spend with him.