I am 3!!!!

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Christmas 2008

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What a Christmas!!! What a difference a little child can make. Going to Christmas Eve mass to opening presents Christmas Day. We had so much fun!! Olivia didn't know what hit her. She had so much fun Christmas Eve opening ornaments. She would have been content with just that. But boy did she get the shock of her life when Christmas Day came and Santa left her a whole bunch of gifts. Then the presents sent by Auntie Irene and Oma and then we were off to Grandma and Pa-Pa's house. Oh boy toys and clothes oh my!!!! Then came Auntie Cindy and Uncle Shanes gift a jeep yes a jeep. With a working radio. She loved the radio. Auntie Cindy and Auntie Heather had to help her but she loved it. It was such a great Christmas just being around our family and our little girl it will be a Christmas I won't forget. Thanks to all our family for giving her everything and even more!!!!

Santa Ho Ho Ho

She did it. Olivia saw Santa and at first she was a little shy. Olivia kept watching Santa and finally took a fruit snack from him. She didnt sit on his lap. But then either did I when I was little. She had a really good time yesterday

Who is the new President?

Daddy's little helper.

Today we put the Christmas lights on outside because tomorrow we are suppose to get 5 inchs of snow. I am so excited to get snow and see how Oliva reacts to it. I hope it snows in time so that we can play in it. Last snow fall was a Monday morning and there wasn't enough time and Olivia wouldn't go outside the garage to walk in it. So here are a few poses of her and daddy by the Christmas lights.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a lot different then in years passed. My sister and bother-in-law now known as the infamous Auntie Cindy and Uncle Shane had Thanksgiving this year. Boy did we have a lot to be thankful for this year. It was really weird for the very first time we had a little one to share our Thanksgiving and boy she had a great time. Olivia loves to be around her family. She just loves and adores her Uncle Shane and Auntie Cindy, her Papa and Gandma, her Arie(which is Marie) Mike, Header (Heather) and Don (Jon). In just 5 short months she tells them all she loves them and gives them all kisses and hugs. I am so proud of her. When we first came home and she wouldn't go by anyone I was a little nervous but to see her interact with her family I just love and I know they just love and adore her. So here are some pics from her first Thanksgiving. There is also a picture in there of her turkey hat and being a indian from when she was at Arie's.

Halloween a little late

Here are a few Halloween pics

a little behind in posting

Well we are a little behind in posting, but first I want you to see the comparison of when we first seen Olivia until now. Which has been almost 5 months. Look at her hair. We just got her hair cut yesterday but boy has it grown since she has been home.

Baptism and Party

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Harvest Fest

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We had a great day yesterday at Harvest Fest. Zach and Olivia are getting to know each other. Olivia rode her first merry go round (oops put the wrong ride in the picss) she had so much fun.

Olivia loves Dancing with the Stars

Yeah I am so excited Oliva loves Dancing with the Stars one of our favorite shows. Every time the music starts she goes crazy except when I turn on the camera so here is a little of it. Our dancing with the Stars!!!!

The Bears new lucky Charm

Another Football season has arrived. Yippee. Last night was great to see the Bears winning against those Colts. But this year is going to be a lot different watching the game with a little one around. We certainly have to clean up the language. Last night was not bad at all I taught Olivia to cheer for Mommies team. Daddy's team had a big disappointment yesterday (Tom Brady out for the season). but Mommies team is all that counts in this house anyway. Go BEARS GO!!!!!

1st day at DayCare and back to work

Well it was my first full day back to work and Olivia's first full day at daycare and all is well. Olivia of course cried when I left but Marie said she did great. She also made her very first project. It is so cute it is a little scrapbook photo album made out of little paper bags. She kept shaking her head yes when I asked if she liked being at Marie's and playing with the kids. We will see what day two brings us. Here is a couple of pictures of her first project we are so proud.

2 months with Our Little Girl

We cannot believe that two months has gone by (it will be on Saturday but we cannot post since we will be up north with the whole family) with this smiling little girl. She has come a long way since the first day we met. Olivia has also gone through a lot since coming to the states. She has been such a trooper and we are amazed by her everyday. Olivia has not only have been the light of our lives but I think I can say she is a sparkle to our whole family. This is her on her brand new bike. Mom liked the pink one but Olivia like the red and blue one. Very patriotic I must say.

The newest American Citizen

Olivia received mail today from President Bush. President Bush welcomed Olivia to the United States and congratulated her on becoming a United States Citizen.
We are so proud of our new American!!!!!

1 month

We have been home exactly one month with Olivia!!! Things are going great. Her personality is so coming out and has been such a joy not only for Norman and I but the rest of our family. We had a milestone this weekend we she finally went to her Grammy and PaPa at their trailer by the WI Dells. She had a ball at the pool and the park. She also is starting to repeat so much more and starting to understand.
We are watching the Olympics and Grammy and PaPa taught her to say USA and she says uhh S A. We watched the girls gymnastics and she was amazed at the girls flying up in the air and I told her go China. She also repeated that too. Here are some pics over the month of what she has been doing.

Went to Germanfest (played at the park)

We went to Germanfest yesterday and we met up with my boss and family. Their son Chaz just turned 3 and we wanted to see how they would react. Olivia is so much taking things all in so it takes her time to react to things. Chaz loved the park and just jumped right in and showed us his talents. She finally went on the jungle gym and she loved it. The slide she liked but we had to hold her hand but that was a big start. So now Daddy wants to get her a jungle gym.

Our 1st trip to the zoo with Olivia

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1st Parade

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She loved the best american food the hot dog!!!

Swimming in the pool and Gifts from Oma

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HOME!!!

We are home and what a great feeling it is. Olivia did great on the plane for 14 hours. She slept most of the way and was up probably a total of 3 hours of the total plane ride. The car seat she didnt like at first but then fell asleep for a few minutes. Grandma and Grandpa were so excited to see Olivia. Grandma made a great first impression with Olivia bringing her a baloon to the airport and then we got home and there were more balloons. Then the florist came with a bunch more balloons. They were from Mike and Marie. The dogs have done better then what we expected. Olivia isn't sure about them yet. The first night sleeping was a little rocky and she ended up in bed with us. We were all up at 3:00 in the morning.
It will take a while for the time change.
We just want to thank everyone that supported us while we were in China. Your thoughts, prayers, and comments kept us going while we were in China. We will keep posting on here time to time to tell you all about our progress with Olivia as she grows and as we grow as one big happy family. Thank you

Olivia is a WI girl

Olivia had to try Daddy's drink last night. She had a taste and really didn't like it too much. She just had to try it.

Famous Red Couch

These pictures are all the kiddos in our group. Everyone that stays at the white swan takes pictures of their group on the red couch. Olivia wasn't to happy leaving her daddy. I tried to get as close as possible but it is hard to get them all in

Little smiles

We are finally on our last leg of this trip Thank God..Our hotel in Nanning was ok but nothing like we are at now. This hotel is very busy and the food at the breakfast buffet is outstanding compared to what we had. Olivia is doing better she is still attached to Normans hip. We have a few moments but all in all still wants Norman. These pictures are where just Olivia and I are in the room and we bought her a Olympic doll. We were both suprised when it spoke thats how I got these pics. Then she realized Norman was gone and all hell broke loose.
We also got our first night of sleep that was great. She didnt like when I slept on a bed so Norman and I had to sleep on one bed and let me tell you these beds are smaller than a twin. She wanted the whole bed to herself. Well last night we had to finally put her in the crib and screamed and yelled for a good 1/2 hour and finally fell asleep we had a great sleep. we will see how tonight goes. Of course I am not feeling well so that makes it worse. I caught a cold and yesterday I finally could not take it anymore and had a break down but now I am feeling great and can handle it. It just takes a toll on you and you have to have a breakdown once in a while. We slept almost 15 hours so now we are good to go. It does help in this hotel that the air conditioning is working just wonderfully. I am so sick and tired of humidity and always sweating. I hope all this makes sense I am rambling because there is so much. I just remind all you soon to be parents and that you are coming to China be prepared to sweat your ass off!!!!! If you think you can get away with only one shirt a day or two think again. Bring a lot of T-shirts that are cool. Because I am telling you I have never felt humidity like this in my whole life. I am warning you....If need be bring T-shirts you can throw away at the end of the trip to make room for new ones I wish I had. Love you all and miss everyone so much...