Random November Happenings

Ready, set, jump

Daddy hit the pile first. Rosco was also in on the fun

Tuckered out

Anna's new Noah's Ark puzzle. Thanks Ms. Kathy!

Happy 58th Anniversary Nene & Papa. I love you!!

Sweet friends, Preschool & Halloween

This is Rachel, one of Anna's good friends

Waiting to go on the Halloween Parade at Preschool.
Olivia is the monkey and Monica is the puppy dog. So cute.

Trying to get the kite up. It was a pretty windy day.

I'm read to go trick or treating.

What a stash!! The mother load. If only mom and dad
could stay out of it. :)

Anna's New Bookcase

I found the cutest bookcase at Target last week so we bought it and below is Anna "helping" Daddy put it together. She actually was a big help and loved every minute of it.

Sillyness

Not sure what she's doing but...

All put together and ready for books.

Putting the first book on the shelf

Daddy's idea to act like your on the roof of the house.

Boo Box Arrived!!!

We opened the door to leave for gymnastics and the mail lady was on the porch with a box. Anna was so excited but had to wait until we got home. She couldn't wait. She's already decided (on the porch leaving) who is the next Boo Box recipient. Who will it be???? Keep watching your front porch for a box girls. It should arrive next week sometime.

Anna's box is from Ava Bogen a/k/a Pirate Ava

A beautiful crown

All the goods

Checking everything out. Thanks again Ava. Anna loved her gifts.

A Special Day

September 17 will always be a special day for a few reasons. First of all, it is the day Steve and I finally met our daughter, Anna Grace, for the first time. Second of all, it was my grandmother's birthday and the same grandma who Anna is named after. God's timing is perfect!! We are forever grateful to God for this precious gift He has given (entrusted) to us. She is a delight and our hearts are filled to overflowing. We are also grateful to God for the wonderful families that we met and traveled with, our forever friends and Anna's forever sisters. Our lives have truly been enriched. Happy Gotcha Day or Family Day to all our China sisters and families.

Waiting to go in Anna's orphanage. To say our hearts were racing is an understatement.

Once we were all back on the bus and it started to leave, every baby fell asleep. It was amazing and so quiet.

Playing with her baby. This is the same day.

This was a few days later in Guangzhou. We shopped til we literally dropped.

Today, our beautiful 4 year old Anna. She loves life, preschool, church, gymnastics and playing wild with daddy. All around happy little girl.

You're never too young

Most of you know I love coupons and therefore buy 3-4 Sunday papers. Well, Ms. Anna saw that daddy was going outside to read the paper while waiting for the grill to heat up and she grabbed her favorite flyer and headed outside too.


She didn't see me taking this picture through the screen.

These next two pictures are "staged" but cute nonetheless.

3 Years Ago...

Three years ago today Steve and I started our journey to China. Wow, what a long flight!! That was a whirlwind trip full of excitement, anticipation, nervousness, new friends, forever friends and sisters and finally meeting our daughter. It was a trip of a lifetime that forever changed us and our family. We are very grateful to God for how He provided, in His time, our beautiful daughter, Yu Xiao Xiao - Anna Grace. Our hearts overflow with joy because of her.

Great friends

Fun times with the Zautis family. We were thrilled when we Ava Bogen was able to come for a few hours.


Trampoline fun.

You gotta love fudgicles.

Silly girls.

Birthday Fun

Anna had a great Fancy Nancy birthday party. It was so fun to watch all her friends. They giggled and played and got along so nicely. We had a great time.

Anna and her friends playing before the "real" party started

Table is set, balloons ready, let the party get started.

They made wands.

After everyone left. She was SO happy (not that they left but that she had a great party).


This is what six 4 year olds can do in a matter of minutes!!

Good times

Helping out front

Oh what fun.

She wasn't too sure about this but..

Rosco having a drink

He's thinkin about jumping in, but he never did

Swim Lessons

Anna was so excited for her first swim class today. She did great, wasn't afraid and listened very well. She has a nice teach, Ms. Megan. Steve was able to come and we were so proud of her and couldn't believe how much she is growing up. My mom is right, you blink your eyes and they've grown.

Can't wait for class to start.

Whoo hoo, daddy came!!

Very trusting of Ms. Megan.

Having a great time.

I'm cold but can't wait for next week.

China Reunion 2009 - Revised

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

China Reunion 2009

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fun New Car

Thanks to the electrician Steve works with, we have received many fun Dora toys. We finally got the car running and Anna is enjoying it very much. Still learning how to drive but she isn't too crazy. We definitely have to get our dog Rosco out of the way though!! Thanks Eric for being so generous.