Busy week & reflections from our last days in China

This has been a busy week! I have been working on a new project at work that has taken up too much of my time and I was an election judge in Minneapolis on Tuesday. This is my 4th election doing this and though it is an exhausting day (6 a - 11 p) it is always fulfilling to be part of the process. I am proud to say that our state has one of the best / cleanest processes in addition to one of the highest voter turnouts in the nation. Of the nearly 1800 voters in the precint I worked, 23% were same day registrations. It is always truly excited to be in the thick of things on election day!

Back to last year at this time.....After our Forever Family Day on Oct 28 we spent a few more days in Nanchang to finalize the adoption and get Maddy's passport. Honestly much of this was a blur for me because I got sick. Here are a few photos:

Here is where we officially became a family (meeting with the notary to finalize the paperwork)

Our celebration meal (that made us sick later)

Old fashioned stroller we saw in Nanchang

We arrived in Guangzhou on Nov 2nd. While there we went through the process to complete the US requirement. We really like this city and especially being on Shamian Island on the river.

Outside the medical exam office

Lunch at Lucy's with Adam, Tracy & Charlotte from Minnesota too!

Maddy learned how to crawl while we were in Guangzhou

After the American Citizen Swearing In ceremony

Here we are arriving in the US- I got scolded for taking this picture in immigration

This was Maddy's first ride in her car seat