Hey I just finished my hot dog. Is it my turn to bowl yet? Hi grandma !!!!!!!! 

McKenna Bowling, DADDY got in trouble taking these shots
 

Pictures from McKennas Party at the Bowling Alley


 

Junior Chef

McKenna was the top student in her class this month and received the Junior Chef award. This award is given from the school and the children chosen get to make a special treat with the Principal. They made pizza. We are sooooo proud of McKenna for believing in herself and always doing her best. McKenna also wanted everyone to know she was the first junior chef of the year and that it happened on her birthday, What a great day she had.

Pictures from Gotcha Day September 28, 2005 

One Year Anniversary of Family Day

Well one year ago today a shy, little girl was handed to me in a hot room in Changsha, Hunan. She took one look at me and one look at her dad and went to him. I was afraid I would not recognize her and when they brought her in all I saw was the toy and the back of her head. For three days she was daddy's girl, oh I would be there but if left alone, guess who would cry until daddy came back. The first day as you can see she was scared and quiet, looking back I think she just shut down. She had gone to bed the night before with her loving nannies and woke up to a strange room and sounds and being handed to someones whose face she had not seen before. Even though she was little she was very strong. Later that day we went to walmart to get some supplies adn seh fell asleep in my arms facing away from me, if she even looked at me those small silent tears would fall. Fast forward a year to a loving bubbly little girl who comes running and laughing.

What a difference a year makes, now we have a happy bubbly little girl. She still prefers daddy to this day. She is our daddy's girl.

We are getting a family picture today so when we have it we will post a side by side picture to show you the difference a year makes.

She is still our little peanut. WE love her and are happy that she is part of our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCKENNA

Today is McKenna's birthday. We just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tag! I'm It!!

1. FIRST NAME? Natalie
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? NO
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Saturday
. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? YES
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Turkey
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? OF COURSE
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? yes 8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? YES
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Hate Cereal.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? NO
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Depends on the situation
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Pralines and Carmel
14. SHOE Size? 8
15. RED OR PINK? RED
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My toes
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? MOM
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Bare feet and NO pants, nightgown for bed tonight
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Crimal Intent on TV
20. WHERE IS THE ONE PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE RIGHT NOW? China, adopting again
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Brick RED
22. FAVORITE SMELL? Vanilla
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Jessica
24. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eye or their butts
25. FAVORITE DRINK? Water
26. FAVORITE SPORT? Love watching basketball and football
27. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Green
28. HAT SIZE? DOn't know
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? NO
30. FAVORITE FOOD? pizza
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? blue and orange nightgown
33. SUMMER OR WINTER? Well here in NEvada Winter, summers are TOOOOOOOO hot
34. HUGS OR KISSES? Kissess
35. FAVORITE DESSERT? chocolate
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? The Proer Care and Feeding of Husbands
37. WHAT'S ON THE MOUSE PAD? Patritic Flag etc
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? CSI Miami
39. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS? chidlren calling MOMMY
40. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? CHINA
41. WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL TALENTS? Piano and Scrapbooking
42 AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Virginia
43. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? SAM 44. WHAT DAY IS IT? September 19

My 9th Wedding Anniversary

Well today is the big day our 9th wedding anniversary. It has been a great day and my sweet hubby gave me roses today.

12 Month Post Placement Visit

Yesterday we had our 12 month post placement visit. It went well Marielle was on her best behavior and went around showing her dolly and it and singing to her dolly. It is such a relief to have that done and it felt like YES, she really is ours.

Last year at this time we were just getting our itinerary. In just a few weeks it will be one year as a family.

We just want to thank again GWCA, China and God for leading us to China for this little miracle who we love so much.

We also want to thank God for the miracle her older sister is in our lifes also as she two according to the doctors shouldn't be here on earth with the fertility problems we had.

Thanks to MOM for talking to me and making me realize what I know all over again.

Mommy loves me !!!!!!!!! 

Mommy loves my smile

Marielle smiling. She is so cute !!!! 

Here is my new outfit for school. Boy morning comes early. I love school this year.
 

SISTERS

Here are my beautiful girls. In their new outfits for the day. Marielle goes around the house while her sister is at school, calling for her sister. They have fun together.
 

Family At Church

 

McKenna getting ready to get on the bus. HI GRANDMA ROWLEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

No more pictures today MOM

Do you have to take pictures of me every day, LOOK at my hair, I have been having fun playing at school today

No more pictures 

Lets Go Pick Up Sissy MOM

Lets get rolling MOM
Lets go get McKenna
I am so excited for her to get home from school 

Hi, my mommy is dressed for work and I don't like it one bit. Maybe she will be sent home early.
This is my mommy's favorite outfit. She bought it for me. I look soooooo cute in yellow. 

This is one of mommy's favorite outfits

Funny Faces
Mommy thinks I am beautiful 

A new outfit, YES we missed the bus AGAIN, mommy overslept

 

Labor Day Fun