Herding Cats

Today our group made our last official visit to a government agency to complete our adoption paperwork.  We all got a little teary at the US Consulate as we took our oath and submitted paperwork which will allow us to bring our babies back into the United States as legal immigrants.  It's hard to believe that we are so close to finally coming home. 

In adoption world the red couch at the White Swan Hotel on Shamian Island in Guangzhou is famous.  Unfortunate for us the hotel is partially closed for renovations so we are staying at the Marriott a few miles away. In keeping with tradition our group decided to make our way this evening to the White Swan to take our group photos.  In my opinion, the whole picture experience was equivalent to herding cats.  The red couch was not accessible due to a private party on the second floor so we had to settle for a brown couch on the third.  Our girls looked great in their traditional Chinese outfits, if only we could have got them to pose.

Our last visit to a government building

Our family photo taken in front of the fountains at the White Swan Hotel.

Our whole adoption family.  I can honestly say that there are twelve little girls going to eleven wonderful homes.  I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and traveling with each and every person in our group.

We started with 5....

Then attempted to add the rest.  That's when things got a little crazy. 
Even still, don't you think this is a beautiful group of girls?