Merry Christmas

We hope everyone had a great Christmas. Here are a few photos we would like to share. We all had a great Christmas and Lily really enjoyed opening her presents. She also had fun making Christmas cookies. I think that she liked eating the candy sprinkles more than decorating the cookie, but she still had fun.

Where has the time gone???

Oh my goodness I cannot believe I have not posted in about a month!! When I went to upload some new pictures I could not believe how long Lily's hair is getting, guess you see it everyday and don't notice it. She also go her first busted lip, on Thanksgiving day she was walking with her eyes covered up and walked right into the table giving her a bloody lip, the next day I was trying to scrub what I thought was ink of her face and realized that evening she was getting a nice little bruise. We got family photos the other night but Lily was NOT in a good mood and starting to get sick hope to post them soon but will have to take Lily back for her individuals, it was not pretty. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and looking forward to an amazing and blessed Christmas.

My Baby is 2!!!!!

Lily celebrated her 2nd birthday on Sunday, her celebration actually started with party Saturday evening, one Sunday afternoon, followed by Chinese at our favorite restaurant. It was so sweet as soon as we walked in the young gal said, "oh it's Lily's birthday" can't believed she remembered, she also gave her a sweet gift, she along with her husband are from Fujian and always treat Lily like a little princess when she comes in:) She had a great time, can't believe she is already 2 though, where did the last year go?

I wondered that day, did her birth mother remember it was her birthday? I am sure she did and probably shed a few tears, as we said our prayers that night we prayed that somehow her mother would know she was safe and very much loved. As I looked down at Lily with her little hands crossed peeking up at me as we prayed I thanked God for the mother who gave her life and for allowing me to take over when she had to let go.

Trick or Treat

Lily really enjoyed Halloween this year, it started last week going to 2 church truck or treat parties, the YMCA, followed by a party at daycare yesterday morning. First, her favorite treat are SUCKERS, think she had at least 4 last night. She started out a little clingy but by the third house is was a pro. She loved knocking on the doors although I am pretty sure they couldn't hear her little taps but once in she was headed straight toward the candy bowl picking out a few for herself. She was a trooper and was not in bed til 10:30pm, thinking she would sleep in, ha!! she was up at 6:30 asking for Kai Lin to be put on followed by a whining spell because she wanted a sucker for breakfast,ok I gave in but it was followed by a bowl of cereal, think we are going to need to hide the candy and she's not even 2 yet!!!! Just a few pictures of a cute little St. Louis Cardinal Cheerleader

Let's figure out....... What to do?!!!

Up until about 3 weeks ago Lily was really not interested in watching tv, I would put on ni hao, Kai-lan, she liked the music and would watch about 5 minutes and then be off again. Well that has changed, she now loves ni hao Kai-lan and wants to watch it all the time!!!!! We have almost all of them on the dvr and so she now yells out K when she wants it on, which is way too cute, but boy I think we are all getting tired of it. LOL Every once in a while you can sneak in a Backyardigans and she will watch it, but nothing else. I have bought the only dvd out which came with a cute HoHo doll and I am really hoping they start merchandising some of the other characters. I am excited that of all the shows she could watch she picked this one, she will yell out the Chinese words when Kai-lan ask, it is just way tooooo cute!!!!

Home Coming and Hong Kong Guide

Over the last few weeks Nick has had his Home Coming followed by a reception we attended welcoming our guide from China here to the states. There were over 200 hundred who attended all eager to say hello to a woman who was amazing and made our time in China wonderful. Have some photos of Nick and Lily before the Home Coming and then some at the reception of Lily and her friends Olivia and Maimie. It was so nice to see everyone again, it was a fun evening but wow did Lily wear me out. She had 2 naps that day and was full of it!!!! She would just go up to anyone, climb up on a chair and enjoy whatever snacks they may be having, girl is not shy. LOL Again, we have just been so busy lately, and preparing for the BIG 2 yr birthday party here in a few weeks. :) Hope everyone is having a wonderful Fall!!!!!

We Slept in our Bed!!!

So, we have had 2 nights in a row of Lily sleeping in her crib ALL night!!!! We spent about an hour the other night playing in her room, she has always liked being in there just not sleeping in there. That night she fell asleep in our bed and Jeff moved her in her bed around 10:00pm and she slept until 6:30!!! You would think that meant a good night sleep, but I think I got up and checked on her at least 4 times. LOL Anyway the following night she actually fell asleep in her bed, so we are making great progress :)

We also went to Fox Ridge State Park on Sunday, the weather was great and Lily had a great time playing outside, hopefully this will not be one of the State Parks closing on November 1.

Jeff and I also had our first date night since coming on with Lily which was almost 14 months ago!!! We went with a group from church to see the new movie called "Fireproof". Our town of 20,000 was originally not going to show the movie because they didn't not think there would be much interest but after several phone calls I am thrilled to say that ALL showings SOLD out. If you have a chance to see it please go, it was a wonderful movie on relationships and how God can bring any relationship closer together.

Busy!!

Well we have been pretty busy with soccer games these last two weeks, Nick scored 3 goals in the game the other night for a hat trick!!! Let's just say he was very excited. Just a few pictures from this last week, Lily's new thing is just pull her pants down. She will be outside playing when all of a sudden you look over and she has her pants down, she finds it very funny. We also started some speech classes last week for Lily, first session she says 5 new words!!!! I will do the same thing with her as the speech therapist and she just stares at me, then for the lady, who Lily really likes just tries every work she asked her to say???!!! I think once we can can the pacifier gone,she will be talking none stop. Have a great weekend :)

Labor Day Weekend

We didn't do a whole lot over the weekend. It was nice to just stay home and relax. Nick had three soccer games Friday and Saturday. He did really well on Friday, he scored two goals and got his picture on the front page of the local newspaper. He thought that was pretty cool. Today (tues) I had the day off from work and took Lily to a nearby state park and went for a bike ride. She loves to be outside and is so curious about everything around her. It is fun to stand back and just watch her.