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.

Cierra turns 4!

Cierra had her 4th birthday today. We just love her sweet spirit. She was so excited for her special day with her princess cupcakes. She picked her menu for the day - Breakfast - cheese omelets; Lunch - hotdogs, mac and cheese and cheese popcorn; Dinner- chocolate chip muffins, Mom's crock pot chicken and mashed potatoes. It was a good day together.

Elizabeth's first day of Kindergarten

Elizabeth is off to school full time.  The first day of school was the hottest day all summer long - like 98 and humid.   Thankfully it cooled off the next day.  Elizabeth is thriving in Kindergarten and we are surprisingly surviving without her at home as well. 

KIDS DAY OUT

All summer long we have been doing "Kids Day Out" events with families from church. Once a week we get together and go someplace fun with all our children. Its like field trips in the summer with kids and moms. We have gone to the beach, parks, on factory tours to GM and Jelly Belly, the zoo and pool ... It has been a lot of fun. It is always so enjoyable being our church friends.

Rylee turns 2!

Rylee turned 2 years old yesterday but we celebrated today. She was cute of course. She was too scared of the fire to blow out her candles but had no problem eating her cake. Her new favorite word is "mine" and knew exactly what was hers and what was not and made sure everyone else did too. Rylee got an inch worm which she hasn't figured out exactly how to make go up and down and forward at the same time yet. She will allow the other girls to touch it only when pushing her, otherwise hands off or "mine" as she says.

ATV

Nick, Judd and I went ATVing in Darlington WI on an old railbed trail. We didn't know what to expect when we went but the trails ended up having some variety and we had a great time. Except my camera flying out of its compartment and smashing into a rock there were no injuries (Matt was able to fix the damage to the camera). Judd and Nick kept laughing at me because I got so dirty - I felt it was just part of the experience and refused to fall back behind the dust. Yes, that is dirt on my face in the pics - that peticular pic is the cleanest I was all day. It was a day I had been waiting for and needed for a long time coming.

Grandma Gretchen's Surprise 60th Birthday Party

Michael had a surprise birthday party for Mom's 60th birthday. It was absolutely a dream to see her so happy. It has been a long time since we have all been together - the greatest present she could have ever had. I will never forget the look of happiness on her face.

Rylee ended up getting sick as soon as we got to the party and spent the entire party either sleeping in the stroller or in my arms. Cierra joined her right after the surprise and then perked up for a bit at the end. The girls being sick made it easy to go home - otherwise I would have had to go kicking and screaming!

Miwaukee Public Museum

Matt, Uncle Judd and I took Elizabeth, Cierra and Rylee to the Milwaukee Public Museum. We only made it through 5 exhibits out of probably 30 or so. Elizabeth got to hold a millipede and all the girls had walking sticks on them at some point. When we went in the butterfly house Cierra was so disappointed because she couldn't get a butterfly to land on her. She sat on a rock to pout and be sad for a little while and the biggest butterfly in the room landed on her head. It was amazing.

Later in the day we went to an Italian bakery and got homemade canolli. Matt was in heaven. That night we had a cook out and attempted a movie via Uncle Judd's home outdoor theatre system but the bugs were eating us alive so all ended up on the floor in the living room. The day was one to remember for always.

The New Game

Judd and Jen stopped by one night just to say hello. They ended up inventing a new game with the girls - little girl stack bowling. We all laughed so hard. It was one of those unplanned summer nights, everyone up past bedtime - memories to last for sure. Whether planned or a surprise drop in, whether we saw them the day before or not in weeks, it is awesome to live close to Judd and Jen and we cherish every moment we get with them.