Tree Gettin' 2010

So, what do you do once your husband and two new children are home for only a day and a half? Why, you go get your Christmas Tree!!!!

Oh man. We are a bunch o' crazies. (lovin' it)

So ... we got all eight kidlets ready, took some pictures along the way and piled into the car - along with the dog!

(told ya ... crazies ...)

I got a quick picture of Ivanna all dressed sweet for the occassion!

(Isn't she beautiful?)
Oh ... but she was off once that picture was snapped!

I can't get over Max's eyes. He is just beautiful as well. He reminds me alot of Chloe. I think it's all because both children have BIG expressive eyes.

Max has excellent taste in literature. 'The Open Door' by Mrs. Ragsdale. I highly recommend!

Whoa! Good thing this boy has a red coat, so we can see him!

Grand Adventurer Gabe!

Ellie walking Shep on the tree farm.

Ethan sitting by the creek bed.

What a sweet face!

Chloe out trompin' around.

The girls exploring.

Max says America is chilly too!

Daddy will keep you safe and warm Max! Always ...

Daddy getting the tree!

Beautiful Ivanna! In different outfit now.

Max thinks having big brothers is pretty cool.

Big brothers do things like plop you on their shoulders and show you the Christmas tree.

We had a great time! This is one of our favorite Christmas traditions. We ALL have to go and find the perfect tree, but it is usually Phillip and myself that pick it out while all the kids are running wild in the tree farm. After we haul it on top of the vehicle, we make our way to the cashier and load up on mini candy canes.

I love getting back to the house and making it all festive. This year is extra special.

Our First Day

Well, it has been awhile since I last posted on this blog. I'm back! I didn't want to blog on this until Max and Ivanna were indeed home. My husband and I will still be blogging on 'An Extra Leaf' about Ivanna and Max's progression and adjustment, advocating for other children and adopting families, and anything else that could be helpful to those who are considering adoption or may be already in the process.

I apologize in advance, but I will probably put these pictures up on 'An Extra Leaf' too.

For now, I wanted to share these pictures from our first day. We celebrated Thanksgiving today, and have so much to count as blessings. Enjoy the pictures.

Max just LOVES his balloon

Daddy loving his little gir.

I know it's late in coming, but ... HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!

Anticipation

I sit at my computer and type, as I ponder this very thought: this is potentially the last Tuesday morning that I will have a house full of six children.

Soon, it will be a house full of eight or nine children. Very soon.

You see, we got our SDA appointment this morning - it is scheduled for October 28th. That is next Thursday. However, with it being so far away, and knowing that it is wise to get there within a day or two ahead of time - we may be travelling a week from today. Crazy. Exciting.

So, you will have to excuse no new posts from me for awhile. We will try and keep our adoption blog updated from within the country. Our adoption blog: www.anextrealeaf.blogspot.com
Encouraging words will be such a blessing as we are in Eastern Europe. We thank you in advance for taking the time to leave comments.

Thank you for the support and prayer. They mean so much!

Happy Birthday lil' Chlobug

Always so cute,
so exploratory,

full of life,

very close to her sister,

loves new toys,

extremely photogenic,

very loving,

fun spirited,

smiles easily,

beautiful (even with a runny nose),

and has the MOST beautiful hair and bluest - BIGGEST eyes EVER!

My lil' Chlobug.

Happy Third Birthday darling. I prayed for a red head little girl. I got one. You are beautiful and I LOVE YOU!!!!

I went into labor on Ellie's second birthday with Chloe - and was able to bring home the best gift ever: a sister.

Happy Birthday Ellie Girl

Beautiful Ellie Girl
She loves to have fun and,

loves her Daddy's shoes,

and ice cream,

and silly faces,

and pretty pink nails,

and little brothers,

and snuggle times,

and the camera,

and dress up,

and family outings,

and Daddy/Ellie time.

Happy fifth birthday sweet Ellie girl. You bring so much joy to our family. I will never forget when the doctor announced five years ago, that you were indeed a girl. What a beautiful and wonderful suprise! We love you and are so thankful for you.

Buddy Walk 2010

Buddy Walk is an annual Down syndrome awareness walk that takes place nationwide. October is also Down syndrome awareness month. This was our first year of participation and we had an amazing time. We loved it. Seeing the faces, and talking with other parents. It was a joy. We also had the honor of representing Reece's Rainbow at a table. We were able to share our adoption journey thus far with several as well as get the word out on the children still waiting for families.

The following are just random, out of order pictures from this day.

Butter on the walk with Dad. Daddy's strong shoulders. Something tells me that Butter will always be able to lean on them.

Darth standing in front of the Seattle Center as we walked by.

Boys wanted a picture.

A young man giving a speech. He is an amazing individual. He works for King County and is quite accomplished despite what many would define as an uphill battle.

Chloe with her Buddy Walk Bling in her hair, Reece's Rainbow painting on her face, and her T-shirt on. Cuteness.

Ellie girl sportin' the same style.

Our table for Reece's Rainbow. To the left we had our own adoption "stuff" with pictures of Matthew and Ivanna, wristbands, and copies of 'An Extra Leaf'. In the middle we had the story of Hailee from "No Greater Joy Mom's" blog with before and after photos. We also had an explanation of Reece's Rainbow with pamphlets, etc . To the right we had "Buddy Walk Bling" for donations and a huge jar of candy corn (left over from Jessica and Lucas' wedding)

Isaac sportin' the T-shirt

Justus checking out all the craziness.

Mary and I holding Butter.

We were right at the base of the Space Needle. Such a great location.

The start/finish line for the walk

Ricky Potvin walked with us. His whole family came, and we had a great time together. They are a sweet family and we love them to pieces.

Me and my Butter boy.

Our family at the fountain. The walk took you to the fountain, around the fountain and back again.

The Newcomb family also came. We love them so much. They are our adopted family. They have been such a blessing to us in so many ways. WE LOVE US SOME NUKES!