The Zhao Family

We haven't posted a lot of pictures of Clayton. The truth is that we haven't taken a lot pictures of him. Clayton is a skinny little baby compare to his BIG brother. Clayton got mommy's small bones and get sick a lot easier than his big brother. But he is also a HAPPY boy.


Where is my food.......can I have my lunch first!??


He can stand and play now!


He loves the piano.....tries really hard to hit the keys


He also got the "serious" genes from MOM.

Another perfect day to go blueberry picking. It was around 80 degrees with no humidity and everyone just had a blast!




Someone is serious about picking berries.


Where are the kids? Hm...I wonder what happens when Da is not around.

Can't believe Brennan is THREE years old today. We had a little party at the Ridge Road Park this morning. Thanks for everyone who came. Brennan had a great time at the park with his friends. Just some pictures for family and friends. Esp for Papa who has to work so hard to earn $$ for the party =)


Waiting everyone to arrive and having snacks.


The cake started to melt, so we get everyone together to sing Happy Birthday Song. (Mama got this cake from Safeway. It is really a blessing because We ordered the cake last nite from Giant, and the lady was not "actually" working in the bakery and she didn't know Giant didn't do cupcake birthday cake. So 8:15am in the morning, Mama found out about it and called Safeway instead. Luckily they were nice to rush the order and we got the cake 9:45am right before the party)


It was a great turnout! Thanks for coming everyone =)




Mama got a chance to take a pic before we ate the cake!


Thanks Auntie Angela making me the little B-day hat for pictures. =)

Mama can take a break before another b-day party in August!!

One of Da's long time best friends is buried at Arlington Cemetery at Washington DC. His name is James Brennan. He helped Da's family significantly when he lived in DC not too long after Da's family immigrated to the USA. Jimmy fought in World War II and is buried at the Coliseum in June of 2004 during the days of Brennan's birth; hence the origin of the name. Each year we pay a visit to honor this long time friend.




The weather was beautiful. This is Clayton's first time here.

So Brennan's musical talent is showing up quite nicely. He seems to like practicing it until he gets it right.

So its baba's birthday and Brennan helped out mom to bake a banana cake to bring to baba's work place. It was fun! Clayton was in on the surprise too.


Making sure there is a right about of baking soda...


Give it a thorough stir for a good mix


Make sure all the peel is gone...


and butter and eggs to make it taste good..


Practice before leaving the house...


and SURPRISE!!!...


Singing to baba at work his birthday song



This is an earlier video Brennan and baba made for mama

So it's been several days since we've updated our blog. Just to give you a sense of why we are so lazy..here Da uses all his energy tossing Brennan out of the water, looks fun, you should try it with your child.

Today is going to be 100F in Maryland and it's also Brennan's first day of Pre-Kick Soccer. With the language barrier and being the smallest in class. Brennan really needs to catch up as the season goes. Just some pic for my parenst and friends to enjoy! He is exhausted before the 45mins class ends. I guess it's a great class to train his fitness.


Coach JOE first asked them to walk around the little cones.



Then they kicked the soccer balls, called "freeze" and touched the ball with one body part. Brennan needs to learn the right names....e.g. Left/Right elbow, Left/Right Foot....



They gathered up at the end to get the "SAM" T-shirts.



Brennan is very happy to get his T-shirt and I promised to let him wear next week. =)

So as the days get closer, we think Brennan knows his special day is coming soon. So grandpa from Hong Kong sends him a new shirt. Abbey says that is the type of shirts are grandpa's style. Da says those shirts remind him of people dress like that go betting and to the casinos. Regardless, Brennan still makes the shirt look good. We hope he won't grow up to be a model but maybe something more substantial; and if he likes he can be a fashion designer or something. But he definitely have great poses. Maybe we should think about putting him in children's magazines...hehehe


hand in pocket?


How about looking forward?

On 2007 June 2 we had the most fortunate opportunity to go to Gettysburg being toured by a member of our church. Dr. Chris Brewer is a Harvard Phd graduate in American Civil War and Abraham Lincoln history. It was great honor for Da taking the church young men along with his family to this excellent field trip. This whole day trip was something memorable for the Zhao family history.



The young men that Da is in charge of ...er the young men that Da tries to keep his youth with.