Two Years Ago....and a trip to Florida!

It's hard to believe that Danilo just celebrated being home forever...yes, that's right TWO YEARS on March 27th. Time has went by so quickly!
In February we went on a family vacation to St. Petersburg Florida. We thought we were going to the sunshine state, but the high the whole seven days was 56 degrees. We stayed on the beach so it felt even colder. Don't let the pictures fool you...my kids were the only ones in the pool and playing on the beach...no one else was in sight...it was kind of like having a resort to ourselves LOL...in any case we had a great vacation together just wished the weather would have been warmer!

Keeping busy...

Happy 2010! Life has been pretty busy around here and I can't believe Devin and I just celebrated our second Christmas with Maysa and Danilo. The Mid-west has been completely covered by snow. I think we have approx 24 inches on the ground as of now. The kids have five snow days to make up so far and the freezing temps and ice everyday is a common occurrence. I have booked us a trip to Florida for the first part of February...I have to get our of here before we all crack! Poor Maysa gets shocked at every turn by static electricity, and because it so dry here everyday is a bad hair day. Devin has managed to fill up every night of the week with an activity, and Danilo is taking beginner wrestling. Maysa and I take a mommy and me gymnastics class once a week. Life has been busy, and we are looking forward to a wonderful 2010!
Keep praying for the family's still waiting for their little ones to come home this year!

The Big 10.....

Several months ago Devin and his Big Brother/Little Brother program selected Devin and his Big to go to the Iowa college football game. Devin has been to a game several times before, but this game was different. Devin got to go on a behind the scenes tour, go on the field and loads of other fun things. If you watch any football I'm sure you know the Iowa Hawks are undefeated 9-0 in the Big Ten and ranked at Number 4 in the country. The Hawks have three more games and they are going to be tough...I have faith we will be taking a trip to the Rose Bowl in January!
Go Hawks!

Pumpkin Patch

It always cracks me up when Danilo and an animal are in a photo together. He always has this look like he is being forced to pet it. Danilo just isn't a big animal lover, he doesn't dislike them but doesn't react to them either. I guess the good thing about that is he won't be asking me for any pets.







We headed to one of our local Pumpkin Patches on Sunday. The kids had fun picking out their pumpkins. It was so cold!
We had a light dusting of snow last Saturday, and sat at Devin's football game last night and froze as well. Our forecasters are predicting the coldest fall on record...I have this strange feeling we will be trick-or-treating in 20 degree weather this year.

Photos To Share~

The kids and I have been so busy with Football, Soccer, Gymnastics, Hip-Hop, and church...I decided to squeeze in some early Christmas photos. They turned out great and I can't wait to get them sent out in my Christmas cards in December...He he! The kids are growing up so quickly, and Maysa exhaust me with all of her talking...this girl can talk!

ONE YEAR ~ GOTCHA DAY!

Above is a photo of Maysa after we arrived back to the Marriott one year ago today with her Visa packet from the Embassy. I can't believe it's been one year already! I remember being able to finally breathe on this day and I finally had my little girl with me forever.

1) September 1st @ 4:30pm Maysa was placed in my arms forever.
2) September 3rd @ 7:00am Embassy appointment No. 17
3) September 4th @ 3:30pm Pick up Visa packet
4) September 5th @ 11:00am Fly home to the US

The year has been wonderful and Maysa has grown up so much. She is defintly not that shy and quite little girl who was placed in my arms at the Marriott. Maysa talks all the time and likes things done her way. She has come out of her shell and brings such joy to all of our lives. HAPPY ONE YEAR MAYSA...YOU ARE LOVED SO MUCH!

Kansas City Fun!

We took a mini-vacation last week to the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas.
We had a great time!
Grandma and Grandpa went along to, and they even went down the water slides!
Danilo celebrated his 10th Birthday on vacation....he was so excited to get ice cream and cake at every resturant to celebrate his special day!
Summer has went by so quickly and I'm so glad we were able to get away again before school and all the sport activity's begin next week.