Brother and Sisterly Love

Ryan loves to cuddle with his little sister

VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Is our food coming soon - I'm hungry!!

May I have the camera please???

Carissa's sign for I LOVE YOU - I YU YOU!!

I like my flowers from Daddy!!

Aren't they pretty!!

On Valentine's Day, we went out to Logan's for lunch as a family. Daddy gave a rose to mommy and me. It was my first rose (of many I am sure) from my daddy. Mommy gave me a lift and flap book (which are my favorite) and a little baby doll. Dolly's are one of my favorite toys!!

Making Valentines Cookies!!

Adding sprinkles to her creation

My two buddies!!

I like these cookies Ryan

I don't think anyone will want to eat this cookie . . .


so I will just have to eat it myself!!

Like at Christmas time, it has always been a traditio to make cut-out cookies and decorate them. My mom and I used to do this growing up then I started it with Ryan. I put the butter frosting on and he decorates them however he wants. We both had fun passing this tradition on to Carissa this year. She had more fun eating the sprinkles and tasting the frosting more than anything.

PRETTY IN PINK!!

I love my thumb and Peter "Babbit"
Look how big and tall I am getting!!

So Sweet!!

I was having fun one day with dressing up a little girl, that

I couldn't resist taking pictures of her in pink.

I Got My Social Security Card Today!!

Carissa is an official American Citizen - She looks happy about it!!

Notice the red, white and blue theme.

Are we done taking pictures, I am tired of trying to smile!!

My two favorite kiddos!!

Today we received Carissa's Social Security card (I can now file our taxes - Ha! Ha!). We realized that we hadn't taken any pictures with her American Citizenship Certificate we received a couple of months ago. Today marks the last little bit of paperwork that we had to do for Carissa. We still have our 6 and 12 months home visits by our social worker but I am pretty sure that we don't have to do any more official paperwork (or rather spend any more money - Ha! Ha!)

Applying for Social Security Card and Visiting with Sarah

Last Tuesday we finally went and applied for Carissa's Social Security card in Holland, MI. It didn't take too long, so we stopped by to see our social worker, Sarah. We had not taken a picture of Carissa with her so we finally got one. She was a huge part of why we chose to go special needs last April. If we had not of changed our plans and gone this route, we would still be waiting and Carissa would be living with someone else or still be in the orphanage. I cannot imagine life without her and am so glad for the nudge Sarah gave us last April.

Rubba Dub Dub!!

Carissa loves to play in the bath tub. We decided to try out some new hair styles since she is getting more of it. Here are some of the samples of our bathing beauty.