Fall Fun

Carli practicing her t-ball skillsCarli's cheerleader replacing the ball for her

I DID it!

AnLi has an infatuation with these statues at the park. She always sits to "chat" with them, asking them why they're frozen, et cetera, but this time she gave them a hug, saying, "I'm sorry I can't unfreeze you. I forgot my magic wand at home." LOL!

THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Carli loved playing on/around this train

After the pony ride, AnLi to the horse: "Thanks for the ride, Peanut. Oh, I LOVE your hair!"

Thanks for the Halloween packages, Beth, Greg & Steven and Nana & Papa

The girls loved everthing! Thank you so much!

Halloween party at the gym

AnLi, Carli and Jack waiting for Sydney to climb the rock wall

Happy Birthday, AnLi!

Yesterday was AnLi's 4th birthday! We actually celebrated Monday night because daddy was going out of town and would be gone on the 28th.

I woke her up yesterday morning and said, Happy Birthday. You are now 4 years old!

AnLi - So now I can go through the ghost house?

Mom - No, not until you're 5. LOL!

At the Pumpkin Patch they have two haunted houses, one for kiddies and one for 5 and up. she REALLY wanted to go through the "big kids" ghost house and I guess she thought she would be able to now.

Daddy always gets the girls big balloons The cake was BY FAR the hit of the day

Carli was not happy at all during the presents opening She got her own present to open and we got a little smile, but then...
it was time for cake and singing and blowing out candles.
AnLi took pumpkin cupcakes and Halloween pencils to share at preschool

All in all she had a great birthday! Three has been such a fun age. I can hardly wait to see what's in store for us at age 4.

Thanks for all of the cards and presents and messages. She loved everything!

Happy Birthday, AnLi!

We love you, Mom, Dad & Carli

Proud Mommy Moment

Friday night was Nebraska Children's Home benefit called "Homegrown: Faces of Adoption". NCH was our local agency to do our home study. They had a photographer take pictures of several children that NCH has been involved with their adoptions. The photographer then had the photos put on canvas FIVE FOOT TALL! Yes, FIVE FOOT tall. It was unbelievable. I can't even describe it. They had a wine/beer tasting gathering at a lounge downtown. It was very, very dark in there and then these huge canvas prints spotlighted. With the white backgrounds, they just really looked amazing!

We had no idea if either of the girls would be chosen to be spotlighted, and so when I walked in and the first thing I saw was AnLi, five foot tall, over everyone's heads, I about started crying right then and there. I couldn't believe it. Then around the other side was Carli's adorable picture. We are so proud of our girls and happy to be a part of NCH's benefit. They are a nonprofit and do great things throughout the community and continually protect and serve children. Hopefully they raised a lot of money Friday night to help them fulfill their mission.

It was a wonderful time, great food, fantastic atmosphere and great people all there to support adoption. I'm so proud our girls could be a part of that!!!!

(I didn't take my camera. I used my cell phone, so not the best pics.)

Happy Family Day

Looking out the Dong Fang Hotel window in Guangzhou

Three years ago today we sat nervously waiting in a dark conference room for them to call for the parents of Han Li Xiao. I remember every tiny, minute detail of that day just like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe that was three years ago! We are continually amazed by AnLi - her loving nature, her wittiness and her singing/dancing little self. A far cry from that day in Wuhan where she cried and cried and cried until she finally tuckered out. She came around quickly, though, and hasn't stopped smiling since. We love her to death!!! I can't even remember what life was like before she came into our lives. We are so blessed to have two amazing girls who have opened their hearts to love and trust again.

October 2005

Homecoming

Our amazing family and friends gathered, complete with t-shirts and signs.

October 2006

October 2007

October 2008

AnLi did what she likes to do best - bake. She made Happy Family Day Cupcakes, frosted and sprinkled. We sang our "Family Song" and toasted cupcakes. She got to open her small gift, something we bought in China. Then she tuckered out, wearing her Cinderella wedding dress over her jammies. A great day!

We love you forever and always, AnLi!!

Catching Up

I realized I hadn't posted in a while, so here are some random shots. We've been busy with preschool and swimming. Brian and I got to take a long weekend away while the girls stayed with Nana and Papa Gute. They always have a blast there. Thanks!!! It was nice to get a break for a few days.

AnLi doing her own makeup

Carli chillin' in the wagon as AnLi pulls her around

Playing at the park with Maize and Bo

Daddy giving us our wagon ride

AnLi wore this dress last summer, August '07, in my niece Hilary's wedding. Well, she actually never got to make it down the aisle because she had one of her big bloody noses right before the big moment. She found this dress in the closet and wears it at least once a day. It's her Cinderella wedding dress. She will have me be Prince Charming and she gives me directions on exactly what I'm supposed to do - "Walk down the steps like this, turn like this, then stop. Now kiss me."

Watching Barney, Carli's all-time favorite, before school.

Riding Bikes
Carli LOVES wearing hats or headbands, anything on her head. And she always turns her hat backwards. It's so cute!


For River City Roundup the kids at Carli's school had to dress like cowboys/cowgirls. Here's our version of a cowgirl sans the hat.
Max and Ruby

Kissable Faces

This is why we get mobbed every time we're in public - everyone is drawn in by these two amazing girls.