"Tall Mountain"

We took the kids to the mountains right before Christmas. This was Sydney's first trip to Red River. She started calling it Tall Mountain! Sydney is not skiing this season but she tubed down the mountain & played in the snow. We love Red River & its family atmosphere. Ashlyn in her ski gear.

Fixing to tube--Sydney was very cold!

Hanging out with Philip while they wait their turn.

Back at our condo watching the snow fall.

Sydney has the best laugh & smile!

She just warms our heart!

Catching the snowflakes!

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas this year with our friends and family. Looking forward to a new year & what it brings for our family of 5. Happy New Year to everyone!

Ashlyn & I enjoying the fire (we do this almost every night in the winter!).
Sydney is still saying "Merry Christmas" to us!

Handsome Philip opening presents at one of our many celebrations.

Ashlyn Grace also opening presents.

Sydney Hope was really excited about Christmas this year!

We have so much to be thankful for.

How love changes one little girl....

Gotcha Day. Pictures from this day break my heart. Sydney's eyes look so sad.

Before Chinese New Year Celebration.

Love this smile!

Sydney loves the lake & swimming pool!

1st day of Mothers Day Out.

Sydney Hope--you have blessed our lives!

What we were doing a year ago....

Hard to believe that this time last year we were freezing in Burrjing! These last 12 months have flown by. I have been looking back at pictures of the first few days with Sydney. She does not even look like the same child. Shows you what love can do for a child!

I pray that more people would take that leap of faith and adopt! And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. Matthew 18:5

Freezing! But so excited to finally be in China!

This is my favorite picture that I took in China (obviously not included the ones of Sydney)

Thinking about blowing it up or putting it on a canvas for the house.

Great Wall. Would love to come back here one day.

Awesome!

Merry Christmas

I posted this video in December 2008. Just love this song! And the story behind it.

November Recap

Yup--I'm behind (in so many areas!!). I used to love to blog but it is becoming a chore. Need to fix that. We have become very boring which is fine but I do not have things to post about!!
Our 1 year anniversary with Sydney is coming up! So that should give me something to blog about!

Daddy's girl & Daddy at the Thanksgiving party at school

Pilgrim! Not so thrilled about the hat.

My adorable kids. God has blessed me. Love these kids like crazy!

Sydney's Donut Birthday Party

We celebrated Sydney's birthday at a local donut shop. The kids ate donut holes, decorated their own donuts and then ate more donut cake! And then we sent everyone home on a sugar high!! I think all of the kids had a great time.

Birthday Girl!
Working on holding up 4 fingers!

Decorating the donuts.

Just looking at that donut cake makes me sick to my stomach! Way too much sugar that day!

Sydney Turns 4!

Sydney turned 4 last week! She had several celebrations over a couple of days. This was her first birthday since coming home so we tried to make it extra special. Ashlyn & I brought up cookies to her school class. And then we had her birthday dinner at a local Chinese place. Sydney still does not want to eat Chinese food (except Ramen noodles but do not think that qualifies as Chinese food!!). But I'm hoping that over time she will start to love it as much as she does Mexican food.
Sydney has blessed our family. And we can not imagine our lives without her. We love you Sydney Hope!

I'm sure she is thinking "seriously Mommy-I just woke up"!

Can't get enough of this big smile!

Sydney's birthday present--plasma car. Really great present for this year & years to come!

Barefoot-Vinyard Wedding

Last weekend, we attended the wedding of PJ's cousin, Cole. And our Ashlyn Grace was the flower girl! She was beautiful in her dress (that matched the bride's). I just love weddings & this wedding was just beautiful. Wonderful weather & spending great time with family. Ashlyn just loved dressing up, getting her hair done & hanging out with the big girls. She even rode down the hill on a horse carriage with the bride & ring bearer. Congrats to Cole & Rhandyl Vinyard! Thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of your special weekend!

Flower Girl (aka Ashlyn Grace)

I just love this picture! Love our West Texas scenery.

Ashlyn & Billy--adorable!

Moon Festival

OK--so I've become a huge slacker in the blogging world! Combination of football, three & seven year old girl drama, middle school & being without my laptop are just a few reasons! I'm trying to catch up over the next couple of days. Sorry!
I can't remember if I shared the fact that I email back & forth with both of Sydney's foster families (usually once every 10-14 days!). I feel that we are fortunate to have this communication with Sydney's previous families. I promised them we would celebrate the Moon Festival with our family & send over the pictures. And of course, I did not take enough pictures--bummer!
We went to one of the local Asian markets here in town in search of moon cakes, pearls for the bubble tea & the yummy green veggie things we ate in China. We ended up having a wonderful time with our family! The food & bubble tea were not great :(. Only one of our family members ended up loving the moon cakes & she is pictured below!