Trick or Treat!

This year we had a M&M, a good witch, a bumble bee and a butterfly. Aren't they just adorable!

Carving Pumpkins

We spent the family home evening before Halloween carving pumpkins. It was neat for everyone to be involved - even Brooklyn walked around the table trying to get into the goo. Nick had to go all out since I beat him in a pumpkin carving contest last year. He made a flag with fireworks and statue of liberty - took him hours but he would have won for sure this year -too bad we didn't enter!!

We finally meet Lily

Our entire family went to visit the Nicholson family and meet Lily for the first time. We loved the instant hugs from Carolann, Jake, Luke and James but it took Lily a little longer to warm up to us. We each had our special little moment with her: Nick playing cars, Andi actually got a kiss, and Matt, Jimmy and myself each got a hug when we left. Elizabeth, Cierra and Rylee of course were welcomed a little quicker and were busy playing within 30-40 minutes. Lily laughs a lot and is just precious. James didn't quite know what to do with it all so when it was time for a picture would not sit with his family - even when Daddy held Rylee but we got a pic of him anyway. WE JUST LOVE ALL THE NICHOLSONS!

Lily is home

We are so happy for Matt's sister and family. Lily is home and adapting so well. She was one of the family from the second they met. She has learned a great deal of English from them already and is picking up everything so fast. She knew her Mom, Dad and brothers and sister immediately and just wanted to go home with them, even from day one. She is just precious.

Andi, the girls and I had such a great time with the remaining cousins (niece and nephews) while Mom and Dad were in China. We bonded in a way that I think we will always have that extra special connection. I am so glad they only live 1 hour 45 minutes away now - WE WILL SEE THEM LOTS!

A Perfect Fit

Elizabeth has started Karate! She loves it and it seems a perfect fit for her. We only let her pick one after school activity this fall - at least until we knew how full time Kindergarten would go. It took her two days to decide as she really wanted to start tap dance but Karate finally won out. Her teacher is absolutely wonderful and Elizabeth is getting out some energy while learning to focus and be respectful. Anyone who knows her will see just in the pics how perfect it is for her - We hope a life long match.

LILY IS COMING HOME!!!!

We are so excited we can hardly stand it anymore. Andi, Brooke, myself and the little girls are going to Matt's sister and husband's house for just about a week to be with our niece and nephews while "Mom and Dad" go to China to bring Lily (their adopted daughter) home. We are so excited, oh wait we said that, but we are sooooooooo excited. Of course we all wish we were going to China but really not possible. We will have a great time anyway and just think in about 1 1/2 weeks we will have another niece within driving distance that we can hug and kiss abundantly.

Elizabeth is almost 6!

We celebrated Elizabeth's birthday early as we will be out of town the entire weekend she actually turns 6. She was excited to finally get a Leapster 2 just like her younger sister - now she won't have to keep asking to borrow Cierra's. She wanted to celebrate her birthday on a Saturday so she could order pizza and have a special - all three meal menu. Breakfast - chocolate cherry crepes with whipped cream; Lunch - chicken nuggets, fries and apple slices; Dinner - Pizza Hut pizza. She had strawberry trifle for her "cake" with princess birthday wands for candles. We will celebrate again with her cousins in a week.