Formerly "To China For Kelly"
Inspired by my girls, who, despite their ten year age difference, both love lollipops and lip gloss; it is now titled, "From Lollipops to Lip Gloss." This is not to leave my son out, who also loves lollipops, but isn't too big on lip gloss, understandably!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Cuteness!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Smart Kelly
Wish I could post more text, but I'm baby-wrangling while I'm doing this, so what you don't see is that I'm constantly being interrupted by a certain, busy, little baby girl. But that's okay, I don't mind... it's quite fun, actually. It just doesn't allow for much thoughtful writing to take place.
Okay, I don't know where I ever got the idea that glasses make you look smart, but they kind-of do, don't they? Thus the title of this post.
Kelly snuck into Camryn's room and swiped her glasses to try them out for a while last week. Don't worry, she's not getting a headache while she's at it... they're not prescription, just fashion glasses.
(That's Bjorn's dog, Vella in the background. Anyone who knows Border Collies knows that Vella is chasing the flash from the camera on the wall!)
Oh fiddle dee-dee! Solving mathematic equations is for the birds! I'm going to play!
Sledding Videos
Bjorn was getting some sweet jumps on this run (spoken in my best Napoleon Dynomite voice possible)... but the landings left something to be desired, as can be detected by his facial expression at the end of this video. I couldn't help but laugh-- terrible me! (Now that I watched the video here, you can't really see his expression, darn it! But believe me, it was painfully hilarious.)
This is our version of a "Sit-N-Spin" in the snow. (Does anyone even know what a Sit-N-Spin is, or am I dating myself? Do they even make those anymore?) Well, regardless, Kelly loved it! But then again, Kelly loves anything that involves spinning, come to think of it... =)
We found the following to be our favorite activity of the day- the road where the cars had driven made for a nice slick surface to slide down- and walking up and down this hill on packed snow was much easier than trudging through the thick, fluffy snow. (My thighs are still sore! Oh yeah!)
Sorry for the blurry spots. Moving targets are difficult to focus on!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sweet Moment
On Christmas Eve, Camryn painted Kelly's nails for the first time. When I looked at the two of them and took in the sweetness of the moment they were sharing, I just had to grab the camera. It was just one of those precious times where you realize what a special bond these two girls share, and how it will grow as the years go by.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Happy 40th Birthday!
No, seriously, since I wasn't able to do much else, I just wanted to take a moment to honor my sweet husband's 40th birthday.
Where did this little boy go? I'll tell you where he went- he grew into an exceptional man, a loving husband, and a wonderful father. He's my best friend, my biggest fan, and my #1 help mate.
I love you, Clint! Happy Birthday- here's to growing old together with many more birthdays to share together!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Snow!
He then broke off the pointy end and gave it to Kelly. Of course, she had to taste it. Yum- there's nothing like an icicle popsicle!
Clint watches the big kids play.
He looked back at us to say goodbye before he ran off!
Notice Kelly has no gloves or mittens on..? We tried and tried to get her to put them on, but something about them freaked her out and she would NOT wear them without screaming and crying inconsolably. I wonder if she wasn't restrained with some sort of gloves when she was in the hospital in China, because she seemed genuinely terrified of them.
I took mine off and on to show her how we put them on and how it doesn't hurt but keeps our hands warm, but she still wouldn't have any part of them.
Here's poor Kelly, crying because her hands are so cold! I felt so bad for her, but every attempt I made to help her put the gloves on to warm her hands only ended in much worse crying than this.
Caleb loves to go off and explore.
Clint takes aim...
Camryn prepares to shield herself...
But even using a saucer for a shield couldn't protect her!
Kelly and I stay out of the line of fire-
Kelly got to have some fun sledding with her daddy too, so even though her hands were freezing, all was not lost.
I also took some short videos, so I'll add those too... and no worries, Kelly warmed right up with the help of our Thermos of hot chocolate! Actually, we all did!
Kelly's Christmas Dress
Now that's a nice big smile!
Okay Mom, I'm tiring of this now...
That's it... give me a toy and I'm happy...
A hug for Kaya... and you can see the pretty bow on the back of her dress... even though it's kind of crumpled now that I really look at it...
Mommy! Don't make me sit in front of the Christmas tree, PLEASE!!!
Oh, you know how I hate this!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Silly, Spunky, Sweet
This is her silly face she makes when she's excited about something. She LOVES playing with water bottles!
Oh, all I wanted was a picture of her in front of the Christmas tree, but she did not want anything to do with it.
Here she is looking very persecuted that I insisted she sit still for two seconds. But isn't she cute in her little Scottie dog sweater?
Sunday, December 21, 2008
My Heart Goes Out to Families Who Are Still Waiting
I don't know this sweet family in this video, but I love this beautiful song by Third Day, and the video is fitting, so I wanted to share it tonight.
I haven't listened to this song since last Christmas, and while it brought tears to my eyes last year because I was missing my baby girl and longing for her to be home with us; this year, it brings tears to my eyes for different reasons... tears of joy that our daughter is finally home, and tears of sadness for all of those who are still waiting.
Won't you send up a prayer for all those families waiting to bring their babies home, and especially for all the children who are still waiting for their forever families.
Thanks.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Christmas Play
More of Caleb and Kelly in the foyer before the play began.
Kelly wore her special red sparkly shoes with her dress that Nanna sent her.
As usual, Kelly's a busy girl! I had a lady tell me she'd never seen such a fast-moving baby before! But do you know? Miraculously, I was able to keep her in my lap for the entire performance, which was about 45 minutes long, and she barely made a peep!
A busy girl is a happy girl!