Best Friends

Olivia spent the day with us today and the girls had a great time. They are both alpha females which made things interesting at times but we all had a lot of fun.

We did a bunny hop - dogs and all.

Flute duet for Daddy followed by a full on parade by everyone - the girls on their recorders, Daddy on bongos and Mommy on tamborine


Pretending to be babies in #2's crib

Using the crib as a trampoline

Olivia taking a break on Bella's lap

Girl talk

About three seconds outside

the grand finale of the day

another flute parade while pushing the buggy

Almost 3 Going on 13

"going to work"

"checking her email"

Christmas Morning

Santa AND his reindeer came down our "chim-a-nee" and

left one good little girl some presents under the tree.

Two cookies for Santa, a glass of milk, napkin so he can wipe his face and exactly 8 carrots.

Why 8 we asked?

Because there are 8 reindeer!

panda slippers

baby crib and bottles for Sydni & Patsy

barn and dollhouse

Who would have ever guessed the day would come when someone outgrew their ladybug boots? Sad, but true - this time we have cherry boots and they have already been put to the test!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Bella loves her new robe from Nana!

Our Little Christmas Present

We were on our way to see Santa today and about half way there we noticed that a little someone had fallen asleep in the car. We had the camera with us and couldn't resist taking some pictures - she looked like a little Christmas present. We had our refingerprint appointment for our Taiwan adoption and then we headed to see Santa. He was there but the line was closed - who knew Santa would need to take a lunch break. We will try again tomorrow.

The Christmas presents that are coming by mail are getting a lot of attention under the tree. We finally had to give in to the "just one please" request and she picked this one from Nana one morning. (the girl has some good bed hair)

She loves her new activity book - thanks, Nana.

Bella did a great job at her first recital. We were so proud of her. She loved the dozen pink roses that Daddy picked out to give her after the show.

Dress Rehearsal - Part I

Bella had her dress rehearsal tonight for her first dance holiday dance recital. Our video camera is a function of a cheap digital camera and so its not so hot. Couple that with that we weren't up close and it was dark, its not easy to see.

All of the children are blonde accept for three - Bella (back row), her best friend Olivia (front row) and an African American girl who is on the right side and you probably can't see her since I was trying to get mostly Bella and her school friends in the video.

She has a pony tail on top of head while Olivia has two pigtails. In the opening "train" she is the second girl behind her teacher and a blonde girl (school friend, Emily).

Dress Rehearsal - Part II

Hopefully the pictures, make it easier to follow the videos...

...for those of you that begged us for pictures ASAP....I hope to get some good feedback since its after midnight but wanted to share the B and her pals first dance rehearsal with y'all. ;)

A couple of the teenage girls from other dance classes led the girls through their dance. They are so patient with them. The lead teacher is the studio owner and she was right off stage doing it as well. Teaching a dozen or so 2-3 year olds a dance routine cannot be easy.