Wow the Holidays are almost over

Our holidays began in Rhode Island for Thanksgiving with Oma and Auntie Irene. This was our first plane ride since we came home from China. Olivia just loved it. We seen Santa, had turkey, and went to a beautiful Christmas light display. Since our visit Olivia saw Santa four more times this year with the last one she finally talked to him. Saying YES!!! This has been a very busy month for us. We are going to relax and ring the year 2010 in. Enjoy!!!!

Santa, Santa, Santa

This weeekend was our 3rd and 4th time seeing Santa. Each time Olivia got a little better. We actually said yes to Santa today. Olivia gets off his lap and says MaMa I didn't cry. Here are some pics from yesterday and today. We wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas...

Green M&M Has a Great Day

The green M&M had a great day on Halloween even though the weather did not cooperate. It was a cold blustery day. It certainly didn't bother Olivia, she had a ball Trick or Treating.

Fun at the Farm

Last Sunday we went with our friends Joe, Julie, and Zach to a pumpkin and petting zoo. We all had such a good time. Olivia and Zach just loved the goats. Its been a year and half since we have been home with our precious children and I cannot say enough how happy we are that we are with Olivia. She has grown so much in this year. She is getting to be fearless and shows me that it is ok to do things. We still aren't to sure of the bird family but she is even making me do things that I would never do. Touching animals is not one of my favorite things to do but I certainly dont want my daughter to be like me and scared of everything. Who knows how I got like that. It is such a great feeling to learn from our children...

Are You Ready for some FOOTBALL?!!!!

I know, I know it is the wrong jersey but Daddy's team has the cute pink jersey. If anyone out there finds a Jay Cutler pink jersey plese let me know. We are ready for some football this year!!! I feel it, this is our year!!! Let the games begin.

Kenosha County Fair 2009

Make a Smilebox scrap pages

Finally the last of our Adoption Paperwork

We finally went to have Olivia's adoption finalized here in the state of Wisconsin. With our type of adoption we really didn't have to do this but it will make things easier for Olivia when she gets older. So now she will get a type of birth certificate that is a Wisconsin birth certificate. Just in case her softball team goes to State in the future or something like that too. The court workers and judge were so excited to see us because they love to do these adoption cases because it is so happy, instead of all the other legal junk they have to do in a day. We got to go in the Judges chambers and pick out a stuffed animal. Olivia picked out a little Flamingo. It was a good day.

Not the Best day for Olivia's 1st State Fair

We know, We know Wisconsin needs the rain but the day we go to the fair. Well, we tried to make the best of it. Olivia's first pony ride, seeing the animals, and of course getting her favorite corn on the cob. She still had a good time even though it rained most of the day. Maybe next year we can ride the rides....

Fairs

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The last couple of weeks was so exciting it was one year ago on the 11th of July that Olivia set foot on American soil. A couple of days after we were home we brought her to her first parade. Fast forward one year ago and we brought her to the same parade. What a different little girl. She really got into the whole parade thing. Waving so they would throw that candy. Last year she just would look at us like we were all nuts.
Now back in Febuary I helped her try to go down a slide. After that all we would hear "MaMa pushed me" she wouldn't try another slide. Now she is a slide pro. She loves them.

Fairs, Candy, and Slides

1 year with Olivia

This post is a little late since we were up at my parents trailer during our first year anniversary of Gotcha Day. It is amazing how it has been one year with Olivia. Somedays it feels just like yesterday that we were in China and other times it feels like she has been with us since a little baby. Olivia is one of a kind she brings joy and happiness to our lives. We have had so much fun with her in this one year and cannot wait to keep going. We just love this little girl. I have never loved someone as much as I love her. She has my heart and my soul...

Wisconsin Dells

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Kite Flying

This weekend it certainly wasn't a good one weather wise but for my Dad's birthday it was special. His first birthday with his grand daughter. They went to see the kites just Grandma, Pa-Pa and Olivia. They had kites flying in Kenosha on Lake Michigan which the people that live here will know the phrase cooler by the lake and it was just that yesterday thats why it looks like winter in some of these pictures. I don't know when WI is finally going to see a spring/summer day all we are asking is for a 70 for a couple of days. Olivia still had a great day!!!!

1st road trip

Make a Smilebox photobook

1st Mothers Day

Boy what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time we were waiting patiently to find out when we were going to China. Wow a year later I am finally spending my first mother's day with her. My feelings are like Christmas when you can't sleep the night before. Even though I know Olivia really doesn't know exactly what today is. I felt this warm fuzzy feeling, it is a feeling like no other, to know you are one of the most important people in her life. Mothers day feels like Christmas and Thanksgiving all wrapped up into one. Christmas because you have the gift of this little girl, my little girl and Thanksgiving because I am so thankful to have Olivia in my life. I got the perfect gifts today. A heart pendant necklace and flowers from Olivia and Norman, my sister Cindy and brother-in-law Shane gave me a Willow Tree angel of Wishes, and very precious cards from my mother-in-law, my mom and dad and Mike and Marie. I will really cherish this day forever.

Zach is coming over!!!

Olivia was so excited for her friend Zach to come over. It was such a nice night with our friends Joe and Julie. We are still in the process of learning about sharing. Here is a couple of pics of the two of them in Olivia's jeep before we had to put the jeep away.

One year ago April 21st

I cannot believe that one year ago on April 21,2008 we received a phone call from Kim at Great Wall telling us that they have a little girl that would be a perfect fit for our family. What a difference a year makes. We had attended the East Meets West Meeting in Chicago that weekend and really thought we would probably be leaving the adoption world. We talked about it all the way home. But then Monday came and I received this amazing phone call that would put us on this amazing Journey to Olivia. I cannot believe in one year that we went half way around the world and back and have this bright,intelligent,and beautiful little girl. She is the love of our lives. I dont know what Norman and I would do without her. Everyday she makes us smile with her English and her dancing. How amazing it is to have this unconditional love from this bubbly 3 year old.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Easter Bunny

Well the Easter Bunny was not a hit with Olivia. Olivia was walking down the hall and laid eyes on the Easter Bunny and that was it. Her head was buried in my neck the rest of the time. Oh well maybe next year...