Go Kings!

Russ took Jack to his first Sacramento Kings basketball game last night. Jack enjoyed the game and can't wait to go again. Mommy wants to go next time!

Going My Way?!

Maya helps pack for our short visit with the Johnson's for Thanksgiving. Jack and Maya sure had fun with Grandpa and Grandma, but bad me forgot to take out my camera while we were there. Lots of fun and giggles and love as we visited with everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share an inappropriate song I learned as a child at Sunday School. Totally politically incorrect by today's standards!

Gobble gobble gobble

Fat turkeys are we

Gobble gobble gobble

Fat turkeys are we

We're not here for living

We're here for Thanksgiving

Gobble gobble gobble

Fat turkeys are we!

Every year, I call my friend Barbara and sing this song to her on Thanksgiving! Two more days Barbara and I'm calling you!

I wish everyone a stress-less holiday and safe travels if you are spending the holiday out of town.

This has always been my least favorite holiday because of the stresses involved with preparing a large meal and when I was growing up, our house was tiny and all the family converged on our house. Our kitchen held 2 people at most, the day was usually cold and ugly and our large picture window would fog up and I'd feel trapped and long for a warm sunny day to play outside. In my twenties, I spent about 5 Thanksgivings in a row down in Cabo San Lucas, eating tortilla soup for my holiday dinner and lounging with friends by the pool with no stress or worries. Russ and I spent our honeymoon in NYC over Thanksgiving week and had a terrific time. With our kids, we now spend the holiday with family and it is enjoyable, but truth be told, I'm hoping that next year, we'll be sunning ourselves down in Mexico!

Love My Sister

This was taken yesterday out front. Not easy to get both looking at my at the same time! Every day, Jack talks about how much he loves his sister. He's so good with her, loves to play with her and show her how to do things. Currently, she is chasing after him (crawling) while he hides around the house. Lots of giggling in the house right now!

Friday night, we went to Emma's for dinner and Maya was pretty in pink! Jack was not with us that night because he went to the movies with Grandpa Bruce, Lola and Hal. They saw "A Christmas Story!" I love that movie!

Maya's new ride

Yummy Cupcake!

We had tons of fun celebrating Maya's birthday on her actual date! She enjoyed her cupcake and really went to town, wearing quite a bit, but actually feeding herself frosting and cupcake with her spoon and fingers!

Maya is One!

Maya turns one on November 8th! I can hardly believe it! She has been with us for almost 4 months now and at the end of the month, it will be one year that we got our referral for our then 2 week old baby girl. So much has happened in this past year. Lots of waiting and anticipation and it has all been worth every tear, frustration and laughter. I want to thank Maya's mom for giving us such a generous gift and also to Vivian, her loving foster mother.

On a daily basis, Jack tells me how much he loves Maya and how pretty she is. He even shared his army men with her tonight! He's been showing her how to play with all her new birthday toys and when I watch them together, I feel so blessed.

One year ago, Maya was only a dream to us and now here she is, the daughter and sister we can't live without.

Happy Birthday, Maya!

Fun with Photos

I'm just playing around with photo effects and getting to know this computer. My first picture is of Russ, Maya & Jack at Grammy's, the second is of Jack as "Little Russ" and the last is of Grammy & Maya - taken at Hal's birthday party.

Halloween Fun!

Josh at our annual pumpkin carving party!
Most of our pumpkin masterpieces on display!
Maya Mouse playing on the couch!
Jack as Jengo Fett, Star Wars Bounty Hunter
Jengo Jack, Coral, Maya, Spider Ryan and Ninja Gannon all ready to do some serious trick or treating!

In between kids being sick, we've managed to have a little bit of Halloween fun! Coming up...Maya's 1st Birthday! Let's hope no one is sick this weekend for the festivities!