Brevard Zoo

It's a beautiful 84 degree day here in Florida and my parent's are visiting so we decided to go to the Brevard Zoo. We had never been there before and didn't know what to expect. It's a wonderful small zoo and everyone had a great time! This was a sand sculpture as you enter the zoo. Very cute! Taylor got her face painted like a panda (I think she looks more like Beetlejuice!) Enjoy the pics...

Christmas Morning Play by Play

Christmas Morn part I

Christmas Eve

Christmas Cookies For Santa

Picking out just the right spot for Santa's cookies. Rudolph will get a few carrots tonight as well. This was our very first attempt at making sugar cookies from scratch and I found a super recipe that worked beautifully. Taylor did the decorating. The last pic doesn't look so yummy but they really are. We tried powdered sugar icing with food coloring for those. It was fun and the start of a new tradition!

Sissy's Stash

Look at me!!! I got is Sissy's room and found her headbands. I tried to put them on the dog, but Clover didn't like that too much. I did manage to get them on me though!

December!

Merry Christmas Photo

I can't believe we were all looking at the camera. It took about 8 shots to get it right!

8 Months Today

Can it be that we have been home 8 months today? Time is dragging by so slowly for those waiting for referrals yet it seems to be speeding along now since we have been home. I just can not believe we have had Katie in our lives for 8 months. It seems as if she has always been here with us. This time last year we had a horrible aching in our hearts for her. It was another holiday passing without having her and it was so frustrating. This year we are so thankful that she is finally home!

These are pictures of the day we met at the Chongqing Civil Affairs Office. She has changed so much since then as you can see from other pics on the blog. She was shy, alittle withdrawn but "smiley", more so that most of the other babies that day. She was content with anything we did and she didn't fuss except for a bottle. We thought she was going to be softspoken. She attached very quickly as did most of the babies from Dianjiang in our group. She was the sweetest thing!

Once we got home and the jet lag wore off, she turned into a very vocal young lady! BOY oh boy can her voice carry. She is loud and funny and giggly all the time. The only time she fusses is when her tummy is rumbling or sister is trying to take away a toy from her. She is running and talking up a storm and other than a few sniffles now and then is very healthy.

Our hearts are with our friends in the IA community this holiday season who are still waiting. No words can make the wait and easier but you are all in our prayers for speedy referrals and wonderful homecomings.

A New Tradition

Last year we bought our first gingerbread house kit and it turned out great! We decided to do that again this year and T was in charge of the design and decor. I think she did a great job!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Officially beginning the countdown to 40 tomorrow! Ugh.

Cody - MIA

For those concerned "citizens" who have commented about a missing child in our photos - here is his status. He is in KY visiting his Dad. He had left when the impromptu pics were taken. He wasn't left out on purpose! Sheesh!

Christmas Shots

Nativity

Music Music Music

I'm still trying to find music for the blog. Christmas is my favorite time of year and there are some BEAUTIFUL Christmas songs out there especially Welcome To Our World by Chris Rice.

Please click on the play button on the right if it doesn't start automatically and listen to 4 of my alltime favorite songs I have on the playlist while you are browsing the blog and enjoy!

Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

I think we are the first family in the world to have our tree up so early! Taylor begged to put it up as soon as the Halloween decor was filed away and Dad gave in. Katie was enthralled with the sight. She didn't quite know what to make of it!

halloween