Here Comes the Circus!

The circus came to town, and Hud and Han loved it!

I would have put more exciting pics here, but unfortunately most of them were blurry as the acts involved high-flying, dangerous stunts, spinning bodies, trapeze, motorcycles on high wires...everything you can imagine and more!

The only one missing was Russ, who stayed home to try to flush down a mean little intestinal friend he brought home from the East.

A cousin is on the way!!

I took Josh and Jana to a nearby nature park to snap some pregnancy pics.

Thanksgiving

Russ and Dad got home just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Josh and Jana flew in for the week, which was the highlight for all of us, since Daddy and Gumpa were a little hung over by jet lag. Aunt Jana's baby in her tummy is getting big, and Han kept wondering when it was going to come out. Unka Dosh was his usual one man amusement park for the kiddos. For Thanksgiving, Mom, Jana and I split up the meal list, and made all of our favorites. We ate Thanksgiving dinner downstairs in our den, and each shared a some scripture about God's goodness for a time of worship before we ate. God has truly been good to us this year!!!

Yea, the Park!

The weather was beautiful while "Gamma" was here, so the kids took her to the park a couple of times.

Busy November!

November was quite adventurous for our family!! Russ took my Dad with him to visit friends in the far east. The trip was full of great food, new friends, and amazing sights. (As you can see, they barely got home alive. Beware of those Mongolian warriors!) Since I would be spending 2 weeks without my awesome man (and essential partner who helps with the twins), my Mom graciously agreed to come up to help us. It was quite a sacrifice for her, as spending time with her grandchildren is just such a bore! The pictures show you that we had quite a fun time going to playgroups. I'm grateful for Mom's help, as I think I might have lost my sanity without her! (I also was able to get almost all of my Christmas shopping done while she was here.)

Happy Birthday, Unka Dosh!

This one goes out to one of our favorite uncles.... Unka Dosh!! Yes, we love him, and can't wait to see him soon! Josh is a super brother and uncle to us!! We think he's pretty fun, and we're glad that he married into our family! Hope you have a super birthday, Josh!! We love you!

Trick or Treat!!

This year, the kids wanted to be a Fahman and a Pincess. So, a day or two before the big day, I got out my sewing machine, and whipped up a little Pincess dwess. Then I went to Goodwill and struck it rich with a 99 cent yellow slicker for Hud. It was about 5 sizes too big, so I cut it up, and put it all back together with some clear packing tape. Then we decorated it with some red reflector tape. Since we already had the hat, all we need were some boots and a pail, which we found around the house. On the way to trick or treat at Daddy's office, I saw someone's trash can had a garden hose sticking out of it, so I pulled a "u-ie" and stole it!

After all the prep, we managed to have a Happy Halloween, and got a lot of candy!!"O.K. Hud, when they open the door, you yell "FIRE" and point into the house, then I'll grab their candy bowl and make a run for it."

I'm sure you're all wondering what Han's secret is for making such a beautiful pincess. Well, you'll be shocked to know...under all that pink fluff, at her insistence, she's wearing her brother's Scooby Doo underoos!! No joke!!

Eyeliner is a great substitute for soot!

Cooperation please! Just look at me, and stand still for one second.

A fireman's job is never done! Just minutes after returning, Hud had a few fires to put out in his own home!!

Blogging Birthday Wishes to Gamma!

For the first time in years, we were with my mom for her birthday. Even though Dad was sick, we still managed to celebrate with some yummy, Mexican food at Leal's Restaurant. The kids were a bit puzzled by the loud, clapping, and singing when they brought out fried ice cream for their Gamma.
Mom's 55 with the energy of a 25 year old. She's a super Grandma, Super Mom and a Super Wife. She's very involved in her church, and with lots of youth around the area. She's a great cook, and can "throw down a mean breakfast." As Rusty says.

Mom has a continual hunger for the Word, and is always reading a book about how to know, love and worship the Lord. I'm grateful for the spiritual heritage she has created for me and my children!

Hud and Han think she's the greatest. To them, it's always about time for us to go see her, or for her to come see us!
We love you, Mom and Gamma!!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Meli

Here's a big, "Happy Birthday" going all the way to Alaska for our wonderful sister-in-law, Melissa!! We continue to be amazed by her. Currently she's in Alaska chasing my brother around while he fulfills a lifetime dream to hunt and fish for everything possible. What amazes us though, is that she jumps right in and joins him on his adventures, usually bringing home the larger kill, and manages to look like a supermodel while doing it.

Wish we could be there to celebrate with you! We love you, Meli!!!

(While I do mean everything I just said, as you can see by the picture below, I was under some, shall we say "pressure" to say something nice.)
(Of course I'm kidding! This is just another one of her supermodel shots. No pun intended!)

Adoption Blog

We've put a new post on our adoption blog: www.our-china-doll.blogspot.com. Grab a tissue and check it out!!!