Merry Christmas

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. We certainly did. It was such a blessing to have our Jackson with us this holiday season. He made the most of every moment and still lit up with a smile when I turned on the tree today. He was probably wondering where the present where.

He is filled with such sweetness and love. Just like his big sister. We started our celebrating early this year with Great Grandma Bea's all family gathering, plus it was her 87th Birthday. The kids had fun seeing, and meeting their extended family and playing with their cousins. Lisa and Luke stayed with us for the weekend and we had our Christmas together as they were heading home to be with Luke's family this year.

Christmas Eve was nice and low key. I spent the day cooking/ prepping for Christmas while Brody hung out with the kids. We attended the childrens service at church and Addie was mesmerized by the live nativity and Christmas story, especially the angels. She even went up front by herself for the childrens liturgy, such a big girl this year. We came home, had a little supper and got ready for Santa - hand picked cookies (gingerbread man and reindeer), chocolate milk (it's the best), and food for the reindeer.

Addie woke at 6:50am Christmas morning, Jax likes to sleep until 8 or 8:30am. So we kept Addie entertained until 7:30 and brought down a very groggy Jackson for presents. He did great and was soon diving into the paper and tearing open presents like a champ. I think the favorite gifts are the Fur Real Panda and baby Chou Chou(Addie) and anything with wheels(Jackson).

Christmas day we had my parents, Brody's parents and our friend Russ over for dinner and of course, more presents. It was so special to be with our family and share this holiday, Jackson's first with us, with them as well. If I had to sum up our holiday season this year in just a few words they would be thankful and blessed - I feel this way everyday, but especially on Christmas.

Here are a few pictures from our holiday:

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Adoption Finalized - Check

Next step citizenship - or the certificate of citizenship anyway. He is a citizen with the re-adoption/finalization. He was the cutest resident alien I have ever known though, but we are ready to move on to the next step. It was a unique coincidence that almost two years ago to the day, we were in the same court room - different judge, readopting Addison. Who know if we will be there again in two years :)

We made a festive family day of it - family photos, courthouse and pictures, stopping through the social security office to order up a card for Jax, and finally a celebratory lunch at A & W. The kids had the cutest mini rootbeers.

Today was Addie's Christmas program at school it was too cute. If I ever learn how to get video from my video camera to my computer I will share.

Here are some pictures from Jackson's re-adoption - enjoy!

Elf Hijinx!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Rolling into the Holidays

Our favorite time of year is here. First, where did November go? Wow it went so fast!! We had a lovely, and low key Thanksgiving with my parents this year. The kids also got to visit with their cousins and attend the local lighted holiday parade. It was a lot of fun. Monday my MOPs group had an outing to see Dora and Diego at the local mall. It was a character packed day as we saw Santa and Chuck E. Cheese as well.

Now we are all sick. Too many germs apparently. Jax has a double ear infection, Addie a nasty cough, and I picked up pink eye (probably from the doctors office). We are battling through and hoping to finish the holiday decorations this weekend.

I hope you like the new look. Please check out the credits below (scroll to the bottom of the blog). The designer, Summer Driggs, is offering this kit for a charity donation to benefit a friend's sick child. A very touching story - please visit her site.

Love & Hugs!

P.S. I will post pictures soon!

Long time, no update...

Hello! We're still here. We are trying to adjust to the weather, and the time change. It seems as though winter is on us - full strength. It's dark so early - ugh! What happened to fall?? It sounds like we might actually see the mid to upper 40s on Thanksgiving. That will feel balmy.

The kids have been crazy and couped up. We have tried to stay busy with play dates, preschool, and trips to the McDonalds's play land. We have seen several flakes and flurries the last few weeks, but nothing has really stuck around.

Brody has been working away from home, on and off for the last few weeks so that has been a bummer. The kids miss him and so do I. We can't wait to get him back home. Single parenting is tough. Even the dog is lonely.

Funny stuff:

Addison and Daddy watched the movie "Hook" (non-animated Peter Pan) and I caught her trying to swing on the curtains. She said, "Mama, I need to learn this stuff so I can be a pirate"! What aspirations :)

Jackson's has started to watch TV - not sure if this is a good thing, but he is really into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Jax has also started to make up his own signs for his fuzzy, night night, and brushing teeth. He is so sweet and adorable. We call him "the hugger" - it is obvious why. Such a cuddle bug.

We have seen Santa twice already - Addie told him she wants roller skates and a Barbie castle with a carriage (she already has the carriage, but asks for it anyway) I think she thinks they have to come together. Thank you TV commercials. Jax wants anything that Addie wants for Christmas because he thinks she is cool:)

They are keeping me busy - some days I feel like a referee - but they both are so sweet most of the time.

Pictures since last time:

[Hanging out behind the curtain]

[The hugger - looking for his next victim]

[Addie - going down the slide at swim class]

[Look at me!]

[The last warm, fall day]

[I love Santa]

[Daddy & Jax]

More Closet Cleaning

I have listed more outfits on eBay - mostly 2T. Several holiday dresses. Also a great diaper bag from Kecci.


[Click Here to View My Auctions]

[Kecci Shanghai Mommy Diaper Bag]

[Asian Pattern Holiday Dress by Wee Winter Woolies]

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween. We trick-or-treated several times this week. We started with the downtown trick-or-treat last weekend with Auntie Lee and Uncle Luke. Addie had a costume day at pre-school on Thursday. Today we put on our family costumes and hit the neighborhood. Nana, Poppa, Grandma, Russie and the Gunnink girls made an appearance. We also meet up with some neighbors along the way. As you can see, I think the kids had a great time and we did too. I had fun putting together Brody's costume - way too much hot glue :0

Shriner's went great yesterday. As Brody said when we left - everyone that works there will be going to heaven for sure! They were so thorough and wonderful. The great news is nothing major on Jackson's mouth until he is 6 or 7 and will need a bone graft to accommodate his adult teeth. The not so good news is that his hearing is not great - some fluid in both ears that has compromised his ability to hear clearly. So tubes are in our near future. Pretty quick surgery and it sounds like it makes a huge difference with speech. Not sure if we will do it hear or down there, I guess wherever we can get in soonest. The best part of our whole visit was with the pediatric dentist who noticed some decay on one of Jax's teeth - he said that can't wait and got us an appointment in his private practice office later the same day, at no charge - he is spectacular with kids. I so wish he were closer. He even sent a princess toothbrush home for Addie. What a nice guy. I have to agree with Brody - Shriner's are amazing!!!!!

Onto the pictures:

Headed to Shriner's

Think about us tomorrow as we head off to Shriner's bright and early for Jackson's all day cleft lip/ cleft palate consultation. I have heard very good things and my expectations are high. His palate looks very good in my opinion so I hope that we get good new, ie. no surgeries for a few years at least. Still I am a little nervous because they will be poking and prodding my little guy. They sounds so nice on the phone - they even offered us a ride the hospital which I thought was above and beyond. We will be forever in debt to the kindness of the Shriner's I feel.

It will be weird to be a family of three tomorrow as Addie will be with Grandma and Grandpa because it is costume day at preschool and she didn't want to miss that. Plus an all day appointment would have been very boring for her anyway - better to stay home and eat candy with the grandparents :)

Only two days until Halloween - wait until you see our family. We are straight out of Oz.

Love & Hugs!

Items for Sale

We are cleaning out closets around here, Addie's in particular because she grew several inches this summer. I have a lot of nice items listed on eBay - mostly Children's Place and Gymboree. All are 18 Mos, 24 Mos, or 2T. I also have several nice pairs of toddler size 5 & 6 shoes that are like new. If you buy multiple item I will combine shipping and save you quite a bit.

Hopefully we will raise a little money for the holidays and those lovely post-placement costs :)

Check out our Auctions [Click Here]

I've Been Tagged - Thanks Larua L.

I've been tagged by Laura at A Joyful Family, . I am supposed to share 7 random and/or weird facts about myself.

1) I have completed 12 years of college. Yes, I really should be a doctor by now. I have a bachelors (4.5 years with a triple major), then I did an associates program in web design (1.5 years), finally I completed my Masters this May (I picked away part-time for 6 years, while working full-time). No more school for awhile.

2) I married my High School sweetheart. It doesn't happen much these days. We have been married for 9 years and together for 15 years.

3) I am very nerdy and a computer geek. My husband knows this b/c of the amount of time I spend on the computer. I would much rather build a website than watch TV!

4) I still gag when I change poppy diapers. TMI, I know. I act all cool and collected, especially if changing them in front of hubs b/c he is really dramatic about the poop. Yuck!!

5) My first car was a 1983 Plymouth Reliant, not very cool, but hey I had wheels.

6) I like to eat peanut butter on a spoon dipped in chocolate chips - a guilty pleasure. I don't do this often and I could probably buy a Reese's. It would be easier right.

7) I am already dreaming about adopting another little one, ssshhhh! Don't tell my husband. I watch Adoption Story when the kids are napping. The cutest little girl from Ethiopia was adopted on todays show, but I digress...

Hmmm. Who to tag:

Laura G. @ Our Family of Five (Feel better Laura and family)
Kelly @ The Bloomquist Family Blog
Kimberley @ Lucky Family of Four
Lisen @ Guo Ji Familia
Pam @ Pamster's Planet

We'll I can only thinks of five right now - maybe I will add a few more later.

Blog Design Fun & Pics!

Wow this blog makeover stuff is fun! Kind of addicting actually. I have been reading a lot of tutorials and got some great ideas from the Blogger Help on how to add different things like the signature and the divider image. For those that are interested I bought the graphics from Shabby Miss Jenn Designs and they have a great video tutorial on blog makeover basics. There are several sites that do blog make overs, but this seemed much cheaper, although more time consuming. The good news is that now I can do it myself in the future... if I remember how. Maybe I will start doing it for my friends :)

And of course... pictures!!!

[So Handsome!]

[There's a reason we call her turkey!]

[Hangin' with Daddy - Apple Orchard]

[Chillin' at Home]

[Gator Surfing??]

[Ridin' the Range]

[First Day of Pre-School]

[At the Zoo]

[Holy Pumpkin Batman]

[Addie of the Corn ;)]