Yippee...another roller coaster fan in the family!

If you count the Oscar the Grouch's Whirly Worms ride as a roller coaster then we are all set. I will have someone to ride the big coasters with in a few years. Yes the three amigos took a road trip to Busch Gardens and had a blast. We couldn't believe the good behavior they exhibited...nothing like a hug from Elmo and Ernie and Bert and a ride on a train and the Land of the Dragons and water fun and horses and tram cars and singing and dancing on Sesame Street...it was the perfect day. Oh yes and naps in the car all the way home...the mommies had fun too!!

What Amazing Friends

This first year of being home with Van has made us truly appreciate just how lucky we are to have the love and support of so many amazing people. We've also been spoiled by the fact that we've gotten to visit with so many of our friends and family because of our charming little man...everybody just wants to meet him. We were so excited to spend some fun play time with my high school buddy Ree and her daughter, Kelsey. Van showed his cheerleading best so Ree and I could reminisce about those good old cheering days! Van finally got to meet Aunt Sabina who happens to have the best taste in kids books. Our two new favorites are "Going to Sleep on the Farm" and "No David"...both excellent finds! And then we had a great but short visit from Scott's wonderful Godparents. They were passing through town recently and made a special stop to see us. Keep it coming friends...we love having you in our lives and here for a visit...the door is always open and the floor is probably covered in toys...so come on over!

June = Graduations and Weddings

Van kicked off his summer road trip season with Aunt Claire's graduation and the first of many fun weddings this year. A good time was had by all...as usual with his cuteness around. He mostly behaved at the graduation...thank goodness for another 3 year old pal playing in the church foyer and he slept through the entire wedding ceremony...a win for everyone!

Tee Ball and S'mores

Let the summer fun begin...tee ball season has begun with mixed reviews. Van loves to talk about tee ball but the actual playing part is another story. Still a bit confused about the rules. He hits the ball, he fields his own ball and then he runs to first base...oh well...he's entertaining the crowd. Too freakin' cute to watch and he loves the team huddle and snack time.




And what's better than a day of swimming with friends and a cookout with Daddy's special yummy dessert treats...first s'mores for Austin and Logan. They opted for popsicles after the first few sticky bites, more s'mores for the mommies...yippee!!

Fun for Friday

Especially one who runs outside in his underpants to play in his sandbox. So sorry I missed this photo-op.
Happy Friday!!

By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea

Guess who loved the ocean and the sand and the swimming and of course having his two best buddies in the world to play with...

Gotcha Day May 20th

I can remember it so clearly as if it was only yesterday. My heart skipped a beat when I reached for you. And it’s been with you every second of every day since. You walked in that room hand in hand with the orphanage director so confident, so ready, so sure, so unafraid. We waited on the couch as instructed, hearts pounding, feet running in place to just run over and grab you forever. You didn’t even look over to us as if to savor the moment when our eyes would meet for that very first time. Giving us a moment to compose ourselves, to ready us for the joy and happiness you would bestow on us each and every day since.
And then minutes later, you came strutting out with that lead paint nightmare of a “toy” ball and bounced it to me as if to say, “I’m in charge now” and oh how right you were! You walked into my heart and shortly after my arms and those eyes said I’m ready, take me home. Yes the cheerios are yummy and the toys are fun but I see lots more in store for me and I’m ready. So are we!

May we live up to our promise to China to take the utmost care of this precious gift. May a family in China know in their hearts that the little boy who needed the medical help got it and now he lives happily ever after.

Happy Gotcha Day…Happy Forever Family.