Carissa 2nd Birthday!!

Waking up on her birthday (not a happy camper)

Carissa with Pastor Eric

Beth Evans, Sunflower Swan and Carissa

They both have adopted Chinese daughters

Some of Carissa's guests enjoying a cookout

Erika has the coolest shirt that you can change around

The Pink Panda Cake

Carissa with her adopted "Auntie" Michelle

Her Pink Panda Cake made by her adopted "Auntie Michelle"

Getting ready to cut the cake

Posing with all of her "STUFF"

Trying on the outfit given to her by one of her Hunan Sisters, Alyssa Allen

Playing with her back pack and new cell phone

Today we celebrated Carissa 2nd Birthday with a cookout at Rycenga Park. We missed her 1st birthday by four days last year and even though we celebrated when she was 13 months old, it wasn't the same as the "first" birthday celebration every child should have. We decided to make this a big one for her and we had a wonderful turn out of families and friends that have been with us during this long journey and have welcomed Carissa into their hearts over this past year. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends to celebrate with!! She also got a ton of "stuff" for her birthday!!

It has been a tradition since Ryan was a baby to tape him first thing in the morning on his birthday (he was born at 8:17 in the morning so we try to get him up at the same time). We don't know what time of day Carissa was actually born so we went into her room as soon as we heard her getting up. She wasn't really fond of being video taped but we did it any way - LOL!!

Last Post Placement Visit

We had our last post placement visit with Sarah today. It was four years ago in September 2005 that we first met Sarah. A process that we thought was going to take at the most 18 months ended up being three years and would have been longer if we were still waiting for a "non-special needs" referral. She was such an encourager throughout these last four years. In March 2008 I was so discouraged and she encouraged me to look at the next COP list. You never know if your child is on that list if you are open. She was soooo right and we found Carissa.

Even though our "official" time is done, we will forever hold a special place in our hearts for Sarah and we can now be "real" friends as she said. All it takes is a little drive to Holland, MI!!

A short visit from the Cattell's

Together again!!

They have grown soooo much in one year

Watching NiHao Kilan Goes to China

Sisterly Hugs!!

Opening up a birthday present from the Cattell's

Playing in the COLD (and I do mean Cold)

waters of Lake Michigan

Playing in the sand

Ryan burying Amber in the sand

Carissa running towards mommy screaming.

We were trying to get a picture with all three girls

but she would have nothing to do with it.

Snack time!!

On Friday night, the Cattell's (Eric, Joanne, Amber and Jade) came to visit just for the night and part of Saturday. We originally met over the internet. Both of our families has received referrals the very same day back in April of 2008. We started talking via e-mail in May and finally met last September in Beijing, China. Both of our daughters are from the Hunan province so we traveled with them the entire trip.

We enjoyed dinner out on Friday night at a local mexican restaurant, Prueblo's, then headed home for some play time. The girls were having so much fun and got pretty roudy for a little bit. On Saturday, we headed to Lake Michigan to our favorite beach. While there, we met a couple that had also adopted their daughter at the EXACT same time but through a different agency. They live around the Detroit area and were just visiting the West side of Michigan for the day. It is amazing how the Lord brings people together!! After talking a bit, we remembered meeting each other in the elevator of the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou. Their daughter Lila will be turning two a couple weeks after Carissa.

It is fun to see the girls get together and will continue to be fun watching them grow up.

First day of Gymnastics and Dance

Checking herself out in the mirror

Aren't I cute!!

Running around the white line to warm up

Rolling the ball back and forth

Learning the log roll

WEEE!!! Watch me bounce!!

Muscle women!!!

Carissa enjoyed her first combo class last Tuesday. She is taking dance/music for the first 30 minutes and then gymnastics for the last 30 minutes. She wasn't too sure about the dance part of it but absolutely loved running around trying out all of the gym equipment.

Just being goofy!!

We got our new lap top in the mail last week and Carissa had the most fun playing with the packing peanuts. The joys of finding the simplest things in life to have fun with!!

Beach Day with the Cramblets

Several weeks ago, my friend Michelle, took us to a private beach along the Lake Michigan shoreline that was owned by her brother-in-law. It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. The kids (and us two grown women) had fun building sand castles and playing in the water. This was a rare day where the Lake Michigan waters were quite warm.