Adoption Day Celebration

On 2/5 we celebrated Anne Marie's Adoption Day with our families at our house. We ordered Chinese food (she LOVES it) and since it was still Chinese New Year I made the girls little red envelopes with money and candy in them. Mike's mom brought chocolate covered fortune cookies (YUM!) I attempted to make sugar cookies w/ the word "love" written in Chinese on them.

While we were in China we bought Anne Marie 18 little gifts to give her for the next 18 Adoption Days. This year we gave her a little cloisonne bracelet. She's been asking to wear it every day since. Mike's parents also bought her a dragon kite. She loves kites -- and can't wait until we can get together with them to go fly the kite (believe it or not, the weather has been so nice the last week that we might try to do it soon -- crazy weather -- one week we get ice, one snow & the next it's in the 60's)

My "love" cookies

Anne Marie's bracelet

The girls w/ their red-envelopes & treats (Chinese money, candy coins & red gummy fish)

Everyone enjoying their dinner!!

Snow Day Cookie Making

This week we might have had a nice snow, but one day last week we had 2 "ice days" instead of snow days.....Anyway, we didn't want to venture out anywhere, and our friend Mattie didn't come to visit us those 2 days since her family didn't want to venture out either. So, it was Mommy & Anne Marie time. We had bubble-baths, watched a movie, made crafts, and made sugar cookies. Anne Marie picked out the tulip & heart cookie cutters and so the cookie making began!

Having fun rolling the dough.

Cutting the cookies out....


Hearts & Tulips

Decorating with icing.

All decorated -- even a special cookie for Daddy!!

YUMMY!!! Enjoying the fruits of our labor!!

2 Years Ago.......

"Now"

"Then"



You know I"m going to have to do this every year right??? I just LOVE talking about, thinking about, & looking over all our memories of this day!!

2 years ago today we met our sweet Anne Marie face-to-face! WOW! I can't believe it's been two years! It feels like she's been part of our family since the beginning of time (and in God's eyes I'm sure she has) but when I look back at all our pictures and think about that day, it seems like these 2 years have gone by so quick!!

I remember everything about that day. The way I was pacing in the hotel room making a bottle & waiting for "our time" to depart. I remember running back up to the room at least 2 times while waiting in the lobby worried that I had forgot something. The way my stomach felt riding the bus to get her --- it just seemed so unreal! I remember seeing this beautiful child across the room just KNOWING it was my daughter -- Mike even doubted me!! I remember looking into that face, and just knowing this WAS the child God's intended for us!

I remember that quiet, painfully shy, almost unemotional personality she showed us those first few days. It makes me want to cry thinking of what she must have been thinking. How worried she must have been. How worried her nannies must have been, and then how worried her birth-mother must have been for all those months, wondering where she was, how she was taken care of, and who was loving her!!

She is now an AMAZINGLY funny, loud, opinionated, hyper, happy, stubborn, vibrant child. She loves hard, plays hard, and laughs harder!! And we could not be more blessed.

I also think often of all those families we traveled with. And, especially on days like today I wish them well!!! We hope that you all are having a wonderful Adoption Day -- and you eat tons of Chinese food --- and know that we're thinking of you all!!!!!!

YEA!!! SNOW DAY!!

It finally SNOWED!! Not ice - snow! That great snow that accumulates about 5 inches (not a lot I know, but the most around here this year!) that is wet & sticky - great for snowmen & sledding once packed tight! But it doesn't stick to the road too much so it's easy to get out & have some fun!

It started Monday right when Daddy got home from work - Anne Marie was so excited to see the snow falling she asked to go out right away. So, out we went.

Anne Marie showing off her favorite pink gloves - finally a great use for them!

Trying to catch snow in her mouth (she kept saying "it gets in mine eyes mommy"!! - Until I finally told her she had to shut her eyes when she tipped her head up)

Having fun w/ Mommy & Daddy - playing in the falling snow & making snow angels.

THEN......... The next day, she woke up & there was snow EVERYWHERE!! She was so excited -- except she asked "where is the snow in the air mommy?" -- I explained it was done snowing, but it was now time to play!! My mom invited us and my sister over with the girls (I was babysitting Mattie & my sister had our niece Naomi for the day while my other sister was working) So, off we went all bundled up to Nana's house!! My mom's house is awesome, it's a beautiful home w/ room for everyone to visit & have dinner get-togethers, a hot-tub for fun soaking & a HUGE HUGE hill in her back yard... it goes forever & it's the best sledding hill (or slip-n-slide hill in the summer)

Ready to "hit the slopes"!!!

My mom was actually the 1st one out there on the hill -- she loved it I think - she was actually trying to get the path started, so off I went behind her -- OH MY -- I don't care how old you are it's TOO much fun not to scream on the way down!!!!

It's a misty picture, but this is my mom & Anne Marie ready to take their 1st trip - we had the girls sit on our backs & hang on to our hats.. they had a BLAST!! They even decided after a while to try a trip down by themselves -- We had 1 person @ the top - 1 person @ the middle & 1 person @ the end. That way if anyone fell off, there would be someone there, but there was not ONE accident!!!! Whoo Hoo!!

My mom & Mattie

My sister & niece Naomi

Mom & the girls making a snowman!!

Happy Birthday Naomi!!!!

Naomi is 3!!! WOW!!! Time flies! I just can't believe these girls are getting so old...and it always makes me think about Anne Marie's b-day being right around the corner...ugh...I don't want her to be 3 yet!!

Anyway, Naomi had a "princess b-day party" - just with the family - but it was still quite a bit of fun!! Anne Marie and Naomi dressed up in princess outfits for the party, we ate cupcakes, opened presents and had a chili-dinner! The girls had a BLAST!!!!

The girls in their princess/dress-up outfits! Aren't they cute!

These are the cupcakes that my sisters decorated -- princess crowns & star wands.

Ready for cupcakes!!!


The birthday-girl blowing out the candles.

Opening gifts -- Anne Marie got Naomi a chef hat & apron.

Naomi got a princess tent ---OH MY GOSH -- the girls LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!!

Just a few pictures of the girls playing in the tent. They had a great time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAOMI!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Go Steelers!!!

This is all for my Dad!!! One thing that my Dad did for his daughters is taught them the love of football!! Growing up we watched with him and every Sunday, no matter who was playing, he was watching, but he was a Steeler fan through & through! My team is actually the Seahawks (growing up in WA. state & all) but this year being that neither Mike's Dolphins or my Seahawks were anywhere near the superbowl, we couldn't help but root for my Dad's team! He would love it!! These are the times when I miss him the most -- I would love to share tonight with him, but he'll be with us in spirit.

We are joining quite a few friends and having a party at one of their houses. So, before we left, we made sure we 3 were wearing black & gold ! Go Steelers!!