Happy Birthday!

We are four!



how did that happen!?!

Odds n' Ends

And now for a few random shots that I couldn't help but share...

Beach Day inside in December?!?!

Freya plays in the exersaucer for the 1st time

Bathtime for all three!

Trip to Moss Landing to see the tall ship

Rights of Passage

I have a kid, heck I have three

I own a house

I am married

And now, I have cooked a holiday meal for my family!

The brave souls who joined us!

Of course the day wasn't without some frivolities and fun - You sit still long enough in our house and this is what happens to you...

Good friends came by - and everyone contributed to a wonderful day.

Team cooking was present - a couple rookie mistakes were made (yes, Melissa there are two ends to your turkey!)

Decorations were made - along with place mats. Can you tell whose this one is?

all n' all - it was a great day - and a VERY yummy meal. We appreciated everyone coming, and braving our first turkey. Can't wait to do it again next year.

Name that kid

Can you guess who this is?


After I took this picture I was SHOCKED at how similarly the kids looked...such a surprise. Crazy...

can you guess?

Halloween in December?!?!

Yes, we are woefully behind. But ta-da! We are slowly getting back up to speed and am just playing catch up.

So I am happy to present...the best of from Halloween 2011.

Our Strawberry

Meet Beach Fairy

And finally...our glow transformer!

And of course it wouldn't be Halloween without our Mouse!

Adoption Day!

Sorry for the radio silence- we have been having some technical difficulties at home lately, and we are just working to get our home computer back up and running so we can download all the pictures from our camera.  So any great shots to share with everyone - but for the time being here is one shot from Freya's adoption on Friday.

A few weeks back we received word that the original time of our hearing had been moved from 11am - to 8:30am.  Yikes!  While I knew we would make it, I was a little fuzzy about how we were going to get everyone up, dressed, and out the door and 20 minutes away - by 8:30...but we made it.  And then the judge was an hour late.

Luckily, once she arrived- she was great.  Thrilled for our family, kind and present for this moment.  After signing papers and such - she had me stand and make the following pledge:

I solemnly swear
to treat Freya
In all respects as my natural child
I am prepared to accept
This gift of a child to raise
I will share my life with her
Help to mold her mind
Nurture her body
And enrich her spirit

I will never betray her trust
Dampen her hopes or
Discourage her dreams

I will be patient and kind
I make this commitment willingly
I will cherish Freya
All the days of my life

(Based upon prayer in Guide my Feet by Marian Wright Edelman)

I don't know if there was a dry eye in the house.  While the day comes with mixed feelings (thrilled that here in California we have the ability, but annoyed that I even had to do this) making this pledge, saying these words filled me with reverence at the commitment we all make when we become parents.  I hope everyone reminds themselves, with these words - how precious these lives are.

Following our court date - we were off for brunch and some time at the bounce house.  All n' all - a great morning. 

More pictures soon... promise.

Mermaid

Can you see it? This is what Reese made this afternoon....it was one of the puppets in their show. Video following.