Christmas Eve

As it should be, Christmas Eve was spent surrounded by loved ones. We began the day with brunch at our house for Robin's family. We all enjoyed the delicious meal and watching the children open presents. Throughout the day we tracked Santa on the computer using Norad and just enjoyed each other's company. Christmas Eve night was a bit quieter since only Grandma Judy and Grandpa Al remained with us to celebrate. It's hard to believe that last year at this time, we were missing Lauren so much, and really had only learned about our sweet daughter weeks before Christmas. But now one year later, she is home with us and life feels so complete.

 Christmas is for Children

 I wonder what is in here?

 Time to hit the slopes!

 Kyle received the sea otter he wanted for Christmas from Uncle Dan and Tina

 Can I open more?

 Lauren wasn't so sure about opening presents this year - must have been all those weeks we told her not to open them before Christmas!

 Presents are serious business!

 Cuddle time with mommy.

 Lauren's favorite present - her new shopping cart from Uncle Steve and Aunt Angela

 Cameron and Kyle - All Smiles

 Lauren thought this boxed gift was a new chair for her.

 Little Ladybug

 Grandma, let me show you how to use this MP3 player

Cooking up some fun in her new play kitchen.

 Family, Love, Happiness

Merry Christmas!

Santa and Lauren 2010

The picture pretty much says it all...Lauren did NOT like Santa this year.  But, of course, she would not let go of the lollipop he gave her while trying to run away.  At least Santa was smiling!  Maybe next year will be better. 

Rewind - Thanksgiving 2010

Let's rewind just a bit to Thanksgiving, shall we?  Thanksgiving 2010 was supposed to be spent with my extended family on my mom's side in my hometown.  It was to be a "small" gathering at my grandmother's house of 55 family members.  Yes, this is small for my family, as not everyone was going to be able to make it.  It was supposed to be the big day where Lauren was going to meet some of her great aunts and uncles, my cousins and their children.  Well, best laid plans do not always work out.  Lauren was sick with a double ear infection and driving 2 hours on snowy roads with a sick little girl didn't sound like the best plan.  So we improvised and had a quiet Thanksgiving at home - just the five of us.  We still enjoyed a yummy turkey and all the traditional fixings by candle light.   

We had so very much to be thankful for this year but above all, we were all together.  We did a fun craft project for our centerpiece on the table.  We each cut out a flower and wrote what we were thankful for this past year.  It was wonderful to hear some of the loving, funny, and zany things the boys thought worthy of a petal on their flower.  We did help Lauren with her flower, which included:  forever family (that would be us), foster family, birth family, our cat Sonoma (aka "kitty") and food.  Kyle's thankful flower included:  Hot Wheels Battle Force 5, snow, family, picture writing (not sure what this is), and school friends.  Cameron's was thankful for:  school, food and water, friends, family, and home. 

 Our Thankful Flowers

Lauren helping daddy carve the turkey

 Lauren loves cranberry sauce

 Kyle's cute smile

 Mommy getting some cuddle time with Cameron

 Cameron's "I Love You" face

    Daddy enjoyed the great meal