Carissa is 21 months old and had her First Visit to Lake Michigan - Friday, June 12th

Ryan and Carissa enjoying a rest on a washed up log

WEEEEE!! (A.K.A. Swing - Her favorite thing to do!!)

Finally enjoying the sand!!

Watching the waves come in and out

Mommy and Carissa

Carissa after the fall in the water

She had to ride home with just her diaper since her clothes were all wet.

On Friday, Ryan, Carissa and I headed out for a picnic. We ended up at one of our favorite spots here in West Michigan. North Beach Park in Ferrysburg. Carissa loves to swing. She calls it her WEEEEEE!!! So, we went there for several reasons: (1) to have lunch because the weather was finally beautiful, (2) for Carissa to swing and (3) to get her used to the sand. Up to this point she wasn't too fond of the stuff.

After playing at the playground, we took her down to the water. That she loved!! She loved it so much that she walked right in (after the initial shock of the cold) and fell. There was a 3" or so drop off right at the beginning of the waves that we didn't see and it set her off balance so in she went clothes and all. She whimpered for a few minutes but then looked up at us and smiled. We were excited to see she at least enjoyed the water. We spend a lot of time at the beach in the summer around here so we need her to get used to it.

18 Months Old - Easter Dress Pictures!!

One Year Ago Today!!

It has been one year today, since we received our first pictures of Carissa and information from our SW. We had a few days to review her file (along with another little girls file) and submit our names to be prayerfully considered by Bethany (or not to be chosen) to become the parents of one of them. Someone asked me the following Sunday, how I could choose between them and I said that I was leaving that decision up to God and Bethany (He knows best!!). The following Tuesday afernoon, April 29th, we received the wonderful news that we had been matched with Yue, Quiaole. We had waited almost three years to finally hear that word "Matched".A year later I can honestly say that we have the perfect little girl for our family. The other little girl is also in a wonderful loving family whom we have had the priviledge of meeting and becoming friends. They will forever be "Hunan Sisters". We thank God everyday for entrusting her to our care and have been blessed to have been given such a wonderful gift.

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.