Sweet Surprise

Just a few minutes ago Lauren was looking out the front window and all of a sudden, I hear her screaming "Mommy, package, package.  The mailman has a package."  She quickly demanded to open it NOW and we were sweetly surprised by a birthday present from her foster sister, Avah, and her family.  Thank you, Lauren loves her gift!!! 

 I see some water table fun in our afternoon today. 

 She loved her cupcake card and Dora stickers

Funny story, we sent this book to Lauren in Korea (it's one of those recordable books) but she didn't like it and Avah did.  The book went home with Avah and not Lauren.  It's so wonderful to see it again and Lauren now loves it.  She said, "I can't see daddy and mommy in the book."

Lauren's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Lauren's 3rd birthday with a small party at home with our family in Minnesota.  Lauren had a great day filled with playing with her cousins, ice cream, presents, and hugs. 

 A birthday bike fit for a princess

 Which one to open first?

 Loves her new dollhouse that Grandma Judy and Grandpa Al built

 She loves Dora.  Thanks to Aunt Angela, Uncle Steve and Cousins Sienna and Cadence

 A cool new sticker book for a sticker loving girl.  Thank you Uncle John.

 Reading a card with daddy.

 So trilled with her new Dora backpack, map, and star

 Cake batter ice cream cupcakes

Dress up time.  Thanks to Aunt Ali, Uncle John and Cousins Maddox and Zoe

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our amazing, beautiful, smart, fiesty, strong-willed little girl.  Hard to believe that just 2 years ago, we shed so many tears when we missed your first birthday.  But now we wake up to your beaming smile, belly laughter and silly antics.  Today, we also think about your birth family and the difficult decision they made to place you for adoption.  We know that on the other side of the world they are thinking of you and wishing for you a beautiful life.  We also think of your loving foster family that cared for you for 13 months in Korea.  We know how much they still love and adore you.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday today Lauren and that your year of being 3 is filled with enormous joy.  We love you!!!

Girls Day Out

Lauren loved having a girls day out last month.  We went to a double baby shower with Aunt Tina and Cousin Allyiah.  Lauren thought she was such a big girl and did surprisingly well with the long drive, lunch, and baby shower activities. 

White Belts

Cameron and Kyle began Tae Kwon Do classes last week.  This is something that Cameron has wanted to do for a very long time and Kyle thought he'd give it a try.  Our TKD center requires that students take 3 classes and then they test for their white belts.  Both boys passed their white belt tests and are loving classes.  Who knows maybe one day they will earn their black belts?

Kyle:

 Testing

 Getting his White Belt

 Super proud of himself

 Showing off at home

Cameron:

 Taking his oath

 White Belt Time

 Beaming with Pride

Strike a Pose

A Glimpse into Lauren's Teenage Years....

Lately, Lauren has taken to not wanting to get out of bed in the morning or after her naps.  She loves to hangout and wake up slowly.  Now if only we could get her to sleep past 5:45 AM. 

Getting a glimpse into her teenage years...

Spring Random Photos

 Lauren and Kyle in their fort (aka under Lauren's bed)

 Lauren at Mall of America Lego Store with Woody from Toy Story (made out of Lego bricks)

 Kyle at the lake near our house

 Resting in the Warm Sun - Como Park

 Lauren and her buddy, Jason at Como Park.  Jason was also born in Korea and is one day older

 Proud of her ability to remove chocolate chips from cookies

 Bedtime stories with big brother Cameron

 Snuggles and learning her letters with big brother Kyle