Saturday, November 29, 2008

That one, perfect picture (will never happen)

Last Wednesday the kids "school" was closed due to the Thanksgiving holiday (and I don't work on Wed) so I took this opportunity to get the kids dressed for Christmas and take their picture for our Christmas card. We headed out to the Botanical Gardens because what's prettier than that? I actually took a few shots in our front yard thinking that I might get lucky and not even have to chase them through the Gardens but that was just wishful thinking so off to the Gardens (there were of course no flowers to see but it was still prettier than our house which is currently under a foot of leaves).
We started off with them in the stroller until I found the "perfect" spot. There was a beautiful red bridge in the Japanese Garden so I let them out and started taking pictures. They weren't interested in posing for me so I gave up and just let them go. I abandoned our stroller and bag and just followed them getting a shot when I could. There were LOTS of families out doing the same thing (well, these other families brought professional photographers with them). I was the only Mom chasing 2-two year olds but I was really impressed with my 2 kiddos that day. I would even take them back!
Fast forward 2 1/2 hours and 171 pictures later and I called it a day. Yes, I took 171 pictures of my kids in 2 1/2 hours. My husband thinks I am completely insane but I so wanted that one perfect shot. And would you believe that out of all those pictures there was not 1 that I just loved? It was either good of Isabel and not of Jackson or the other way around. Sooooooo frustrating!!!!!!
So what did I do? I found a card (on Shutterfly) with the option of inserting 1, 2, 3, or 4 pictures. I went with 4 so I could get all the angles so I am now pretty pleased with how it turned out! Thank god!!!!
Anyway, I am not going to share any of the 171 pictures until I mail the cards out so you will just have to wait! ;)

On another note, the kids have grown! Isabel is weighing in at 24lbs and Jackson at 29lbs.
Isabel is 33" tall and Jackson is just shy of 35".
They are now in new phases.....
Jackson will ask, "who that?" or "what that?" all day long. He doesn't care if it's a stranger in the grocery store, he wants to know who that is!
And Isabel, well her new "thing" is just a little more annoying (Don't get me wrong, she's a cute little thing). With Iz, it's "Why, Mommy?" EVERYTHING I say or ask her to do gets "Why Mommy?". When I say it's time for bedtime I get "Why?", or time for dinner or time to put our shoes on. And if she doesn't ask "Why" then I get a very sassy, attitude filled "NO".
Oh, how I love them....... :)

Friday, November 28, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope everybody had as wonderful a Thanksgiving as we did. We (along with about 80 others) went over to my parents house for dinner at 5:00. It's so much fun to be around that many family members and friends. It's like one giant Turkey Party! I did miss seeing my cousins as they spent this Turkey Day with their spouses families (missed you Joel, Julie & Jenny!).
Every holiday with the kids seems to be more special than the last. I had no idea having kids would truly change the way I see everything. It's like seeing and doing everything for the first time all over again - I love it!!!!
I am so fortunate in life. I have an amazing family, a wonderful husband, a job I actually enjoy, great friends, an incredible circle of "Adoption Friends" I have met online and in Vietnam, and two of the most amazing children I have ever known. I am truly blessed to be their Mommy. I am so thankful for the kids birth Mothers and their families in Vietnam. I only wish they knew how amazing these kids have become. I will be forever grateful to them for the sacrifice they made. I love my babies more than I could ever say.

On our way out the door




At the kids table (the birthday hats were for the turkey, not for an actual birthday. Still doesn't make any sense does it??) :)



Cousin Archer

Big brother Ethan


Mom, Rhett & Nicole






Joseph sitting at the kids table (home from college!)

Todd & Archer

"Unka Rhett" & Iz
I love this expression (I think she's confused about the party hats as well)
Ella (the party hats were her idea)
Iz clinging to Nicole's leg

Aunt Ann with Archer
Kevin & Jackson


He is checking out the food - so cute
Beautiful girl


Watching a little "Ruby & Max" over dinner
Time for cupcakes
He is threatening to go downstairs after I said no 8 times

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Bath!!!

Just because they were being really cute......

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Happy Birthday Landon!

Saturday was Landon's 2nd Birthday Party! I have worked with both of Landon's parents so I have known him for most of his 2 years.
The party was at 3:00 which falls right in the middle of nap time so both my kids had to be woken up which can be really ugly. Jackson did great but Isabel was just a little on the grumpy side. It was a fun party - the kids (and some of the adults) colored and played with play-doh, played basketball and with trains (guess who loved that?) but I think the highlight was the kids got to decorate their own cupcakes. It was so funny! Jackson discovered a love for "sprinkles". He never ate the first bite of his cupcake but he was eating "sprinkles" and icing by the spoonful (talk about a sugar high).
I also discovered that Isabel may be my athletic one. She had a blast playing basketball! (I don't think the older boys that were actually trying to play basketball thought she was helpful but she was entirely too cute!)
Here's a few pic's of our day:


Here's Landon, the birthday boy























Let the cake decorating begin!










Jackson's cupcake