CAN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS

Sister Love

Gabby helping decorate the Christmas tree

Caroline putting the angel on the top of the tree

Sweet Caroline

We are getting ready for Christmas and are very excited. Caroline can't wait! Gabriella doesn't quite get it yet but she does love the decorations around the house. The other night we went out to dinner and all of the sudden Gabby jumped up on her seat, pointed to a man across the restaurant and said "Santa Claus". When I turned and looked she was so right - there was a man with a white hair and a great white beard and he looked just like Santa. It was so cute how she spotted him and pointed him out. Of course, at the mall she will have nothing to do with a picture with Santa - she is scared to death.

We will spend Christmas Eve at my Dad and Kathy's as we always do and then Nonnie and Aunt Amy will come to our house to spend the night so that they can wake up with the girls on Christmas morning. Santa will certainly be making a stop at our house - we have a new plate for his cookies and cup for his milk. Caroline has asked Nonnie and Amy to keep an eye out for him during the night since they will be sleeping in the living room. Christmas Day we will spend at home - we want to make this our family's holiday tradition. Stay in jammies all day and let the kids play with their new stuff. We plan to have crab legs for dinner and will enjoy a nice day at home.

I love the holidays and having the girls make it so much more fun. Here are some pics of our holiday preparation (sorry for the red eye).

TANGLED - CAROLINE'S FIRST MOVIE AT THE THEATER

Caroline went to her first movie at the theater yesterday. We saw Tangled and it was a very cute movie. She loved it. It was a special date day with Mommy, Daddy and Mel from across the street. We had special snacks, soda, and popcorn. She ate way too much and had a tummy ache but it was worth it. Fun was had by all. She sat through the whole movie (with a few bathroom breaks) and loved it.

Tangeman Visit

Gabriella and Bo riding the Barbie Jeep
Gabriella and Gunnar

Caorline and Gunnar

Wella with Gabriella and Gunnar

Nonnie and all her grandkids (her pride and joy)

Pictures from when my sister Julie and her two boys came to visit in early October. So much fun was had - 4 kids under the age of 4.

Enjoy.

Halloween Fun

The girls had a blast this year on Halloween. Caroline was an old pro (and so polite when getting candy) and Gabriella caught on very quickly - especially with candy involved. They were so cute. We had our good friends over with their twin boys (they are 10 days older than Gabby) and the kids had a lot of fun.

Caroline continues to wear her Snow White costume daily and I have to admit she is the most beautiful Snow White I have ever seen. She gets prettier every day.

Gabriella loved her bumblebee costume and won the cutest little kid at a Halloween Party out at the lake with Papa and Nana Kathy.

We are looking forward to the holidays - this time of year gets so busy. We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house which should be interesting. We will have about 20 people here - I need to get on the ball with this.

XOXO

LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women
Who never knew each other
One you do not remember
The other you call mother
Two different lives
Shaped to make yours one
One became your guilding star
The other became your sun
The first gave you life
The second taught you to live in it
The first gave you a need for love
And the second was there to give it
One gave you a nationality
The other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent
The other gave you an aim
One gave you emotions
The other calmed your fears
One saw your first smile
The other dried your tears
One gave you up,
The other prayed for a child
And was lead straight to you
And now you ask me the age old question....
Heredity or environment...which are you the product of?
Neither my darling neither
Just two different kinds of love.

HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY - GOTCHA DAY

My Dear Caroline,

3 years ago today I first held you in my arms and my world changed. You are the beginning of my dreams come true and you have filled my heart with love. We are so proud to be your parents. Each day you bring new joy and new challenges. You keep us on our toes but you have taught us so much about love and patience. You are an amazing child and we thank God every day to be blessed with you as our daughter. I also thank your birthmother for making this such a special day for us - she had the love and strength to know that by giving you for adoption your life would be better than what she could provide. I know in my heart that she loves you and misses you every day but I thank her with all my heart as I know God's plan was for me to be your mother.

We love you so very much.

Mom & Dad

1ST DAY OF PRESCHOOL FOR CAROLINE

What a big girl she is! Caroline started preschool today - she is a big 3 1/2 year old. Mommy can't believe it. Today was "meet the teacher" day and Caroline was very shy - probably because I was there - hopefully she will loosen up when she goes back on Thursday and I drop her off and leave. The teacher is awesome and her classroom is so cool. She was a kindergarten teacher for many years and now does preschool out of her home - she is right around the corner from our house and I loved it. 3 year olds go 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours each time and then when she is 4 she can go 3 days a week.

Here is a pic of Caroline this morning on her way to school.