Party in My Crib 1:45AM!!!

I couldn't believe it when Ryan and I were awoken at 1:45AM to laughing and playing. I turned over to Ryan and said, "do you hear what I hear?", we both started laughing and he said, "yep". I got up and went into Ethan's room to find Hollie jumping in his crib and him standing and laughing. I couldn't believe my eyes!!! Ofcourse, I started to laugh and I picked Hollie up and said, Girlie what are you doing in Ethan's crib, it is sleepy time, not play time? Her response was, Ethan awake mommy. I said, yes he is and it's now time for both of you to go back to bed.
I never knew that the saying "party in my crib 3am" really came true, but I guess it did here. These kids crack me up and I love every bit of it.

2 Years

November 18, 2006 Hollie's adoption was finalized and we became an eternal family, it was one of the best days of my life. After going through all that we have been through with infertility and trying to adopt, having our first child's adoption finalized and having her sealed to us was such a blessing. We were fortunate enough to have her adoption finalized on "Adoption Day". It was on a Saturday down at the Juvenile court in Phoenix. It was a big celebration and there were numerous adoptions finalized that day. It was great to be able to see how adoption has touched the lives of so many others just in our state of Arizona. Adoption is a blessing to so many and I am grateful that I was able to experience and have it be a part of my life.

This day will always hold a special place in my heart because it's the day that Hollie was officially, legally ours.

I cannot believe that was 2 years ago, it feels like it was just yesterday. To celebrate we went to the mall and did a little bit of shopping. It was fun watching Hollie pick out a couple shirts all by herself, then later that evening we went out and got some ice cream. It was a great day and we told Hollie many times that today was her "special day" and how grateful we are that she came to our family.

I couldn't help but take a few pictures of our beautiful princess on her special day.

A Beautiful Girl

Janene picked Hollie out this matching outfit and we think it's just adorable? She has the dress, shirt, jacket and the shoes. What more could a 2 year old ask for than to have a complete matching outfit? I never thought I would ever get her to wear the jacket, but she picked it all out and wanted to wear it. I was so excited and thought that she just looked so cute and so grow up. I had to show her off.

Hollie has always been a girl who has had quite the wardrobe. When she was first born her closet was filled from the left to the right and her dresser was PACKED with clothes. She never got a chance to even wear some of them because she grew way to fast. She had matching shoes to most her outfits and had 2 baskets full of shoes. She even had a basket full of matching hats to outfits. You name it she had it! Ofcourse, as a first time mom I loved every bit of it. She still to this day has more shoes that I do. She has more jackets then anyone I know and they are all pink! We joke around that Hollie may have to have a whole room to herself just for her clothes and shoes. I have to say, this shopping isn't all me. Yes, I do do my fair share, but she has grandparents that just LOVE to dress her up and buy way cute clothes.. Who doesn't? Shopping for girls is SOOOO much fun and there are SOOOO many adorable clothes. Hollie LOVES all her clothes and LOVES to pick out her outfits. I have little say in what she wears now unless I want to put up a fight. I am learning to pick my battles, lol. Thank goodness she has cute clothes to wear because then I don't worry so much, unless she tries to put something together that doesn't match, but then again, Oh Well. I am learning to LOVE it and I always express to her how pretty she looks no matter what she is wearing.

I thought it would be fun to show some pictures of Hollie's closet when she was just a MONTH old!!! I have never bought so many baby hangers in my entire life. My mother-in-law and I just laughed as we were trying (key word) to put all this stuff in drawers and fit it in her closet. We had it all organized by months, it was crazy!!

A juice container???

After buying toys, toys, teethers and more toys all I really needed to do was spend $2.50 on a juice container. This container brought hours of entertainment and lots of joy. Who would have ever known that a large juice container, or water bottle would create lots of entertainment? Not me. I even found that if I put something beans or rice in it that it created even more entertainment, but LOTS of noise. I guess it's always the simple things in life that make us happy.

My growing Boy

Goodness, gracious where is the time going? I cannot believe that Ethan is now 8 1/2 months old. He is doing so good and is just the cutest boy ever!! He is VERY busy and has already taught us lots of things that his big sister Hollie never taught us. I have to say there is definetly a difference between boys and girls. I never really thought how they both could be so different, but they are.
Ethan has the cutest little personality. He LOVES to smile and has become quite the flirt. He is definetly a momma's boy and I enjoy every moment. He is one handsome little boy and Hollie and I have lots of fun boy shopping. He is very photogenic and loves his picture to be taken, therefore; I take advantage of those moments. I love him lots and he is my busy, cute, adorable, fun, busy boy.

Gotta Love those CHEEKS!!!!!

Halloween

Yes, this is very late, I know. Hey, better late than never, right? Halloween was great! The best part about it was that my dad and Janene SUPRISED me and the kids (yes, ryan knew all about it and didn't say a word) and came for Halloween. They both have VERY busy schedules right now and they came out for a quick 24 hour trip to be with me and the kids! It was GREAT and SO much fun to have them here with us. The kids LOVED being with Papa and Janene and I know they both enjoyed the grandkids.

Thank goodness for Papa because we may not have ever carved our pumpkin. We had it planned to do it Thursday but the day just got away from us. Ryan and I could have carved it by ourselves, but what fun is that when you have little kids. So, papa took the place of dadda and carved the pumkin and he did a great job. Hollie didn't want much to do with it, but Ethan sat and watched papa the whole time. After papa was finished Hollie wanted to name it and our pumpkin received the name of Jack. Sorry, I just realized I don't have any pictures of finished Jack.

Halloween night was fun, but I sure did miss my husband. Ryan was at a high school football game that night.

We went over to the Skousen's for trick or treating because KC and Brookie were in town for a funeral(my brother and sister-in-law). It was fun being together with family and visiting.

Trick or treating was interesting. Our sweet little Snow White just didn't want much to do with it. We went to about 5 houses and called it quits. She didn't want her costume on, didn't want to wear the shoes or the adorable headband, but she was still cute. We atleast got the costume on and were grateful for that. I just love this picture of papa consoling his girl

Once we got back to the house she took off running and wouldn't stop. I followed behind and was just laughing, this girl is simply hilarious!! She ran for about 3 minutes turned around and that was it. Then she sat in the chair with uncle KC and enjoyed watching the trick or treaters. Ethan was great and just loved watching all the action going on. He is so busy and watching LOTS of kids was very entertaining for him. Overall, it was a great night and I continued to tell myself, there is always next year and the year after that and the year after that.........
And She's off!!