The Two Youngest Sisters (in the U.S.)

Someone looks way better in my reading glasses than I do!

Becky is off to pick up her new car tonight. We are very thankful that Dan's sister Maureen and her husband, Paul, live near her in San Diego so they can go with her and make sure everything is on the up and up at the car dealer! The car is her college graduation present. Congratulations Becky, only three more months!

California Here We Come

We just got back from nine days in California. Sunshine, warmth and family made it so very special. Flying into LAX we were able to have lunch with Joey and Brittany almost as a soon as I got off the plane.

Dan and I attended the Air Force Association Ball in L.A. on Friday night and in the morning we took Mia to a mall where we found this great playground.

After meeting Grandpa and Grandma for lunch, we headed out to La Quinta for a week of RELAXATION. A couple of hours later we had a full house. Becky, Arek and Jenny came up to spend the night and see our little adoptee.

Wow! Three grownups all to myself.

Arek gave Mia this cute hat. Perfect for Colorado!

This game was at the condo and we had so much fun the first night fooling around with guessing what was on our heads.

Becky! Becky! I'm going to stay here til you come out of the shower and play with me some more!

Speaking of Colorado, this is not it! But it did remind us of home. This is actually Palm Springs. We took the aerial tramway up to the top of Mount San Jacinto. Do we look cold? It was 35 degrees!

One day, Becky and I had to go to the phone store and this outdoor mall had a cute little train.

We spent most of our vacation swimming and doing nothing.

Wednesday night we went to the Living Desert for the Wild Lights display.

Mia's favorite part were the hay bales set up for great climbing.

Mom and Dad liked the carousel best!

Coming from two large families this was a super-small Thanksgiving for us. But super relaxing.

On our last day we went to a yummy Mexican restaurant to celebrate Arek's birthday.

Santa Claus visited the condo complex that night. Mia inched a little closer than when we saw him at the mall two weeks ago. She just isn't quite sure about this funny-looking guy yet!

Night at the Museums

The Saturday before last Denver hosted an annual event called Night at the Museums. 22 museums were open free to the public from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Dan was out of town so only Mia and I went to the Science and Nature Museum. We saw the T-Rex exhibit (no photos allowed) which she suprisingly liked.

Gotcha Day!

Today was the day! Little miss Mia is now Amelia Grace Collins!

Our court hearing was at 3:00. At 1:00 I put her shoes on that I bought about a month ago. Oops and ouch...their little feet do grow. Sweet hubby bought her some new ones while I got the restaurant room ready for the reception.We made it to the courtroom with time to spare. Bill and Wade were waiting for us.

I fell out of the chair and bumped my head and then picked my nose right there in front of everyone. And the judge still approved my adoption!

I had soo much fun with my buddies Logan and Lorelei.

Anna's First Birthday!

Here are some pictures of Anna from Healing Homes website. I'm so happy she actually had a first birthday party and I got to see pictures of it! The director told me the rest of her lip repairs would be done with her palate repair.

One More Week

Only one more week and Mia's new last name will be Collins! People have been sending her adoption presents. That didn't even cross my mind. Here she is with her new American Girl doll sent by Dan's two sisters, his mom and their families. The doll came with a few clothes, a backpack and PJ's for Mia that match her dolls. I would never buy American Girl dolls for Becky and Beth, saying they were too expensive. Oh well...it wasn't me, girls! She also got two cute outfits from her new Grandma Janet and Great Aunt Helen.

We started Christmas decorating today. Every year we go to California for Thanksgiving week and I come back exhausted and not wanting to decorate. So this year, I'm going to do it before we go. Then I'll come home to a house all full of Christmas cheer!

Mia was a lot more interested in the manger scene this year. I told her the story as we set it up. She keeps taking Baby Jesus and trying to hide him from me.

Dan's California Weekend

This past weekend Dan went to California for his aunt's 90th birthday. Aunt Katie was Dan's dad's twin sister. She has been a nun for over 65 years!

It's nice that Becky lives in San Diego and can attend the family parties.



While in California Dan went car shopping with Becky. We do not believe in buying kids cars when the turn sixteen nor when the graduate from high school. Our kids have to earn them by doing something difficult such as completing a four year degree. And even then we only give them enough money for a stripped down basic model. All three decided to put in some of their own money to upgrade to nicer cars. Becky doesn't graduate until March, but the car she is using now could have a major breakdown at any time. So they found a Honda fit that fit her just fine. ha ha. But it won't be ready for a month. So sorry, Becky, no pic of you and your new car now. With everything going on with everyone else she says her life his "boring".

Dan also had brunch with Joey and Brittany and my hubby took the best picture of the two of them.

New Pic

I have no patience! CCAI said they wouldn't be asking for an update until Jaunary. But I found this post-op picture of Anna on Healing Home's website. Amazing what skilled surgeons can do!

Merry Christmas, Anna!

She looks so pretty in pink that I bought her two little pink outfits for Christmas and a few toys. I want her to get these while she is still at Shanghai Healing Home. Once she goes back to the orphanage, there is a chance these may not even get to her. Merry Christmas little one!

We Have Preliminary Approval from China!

We can now post pictures of little Annalu Faith Collins aka Li Yu Lu. Hopefully, we'll get post-op pictures soon. Can't wait for her to come home!

Nap Time

Someone had an interesting time before falling asleep today.

Do you like Mia's adoption dress? There's even a little dress for her doll. Maybe the doll will actually get some play time!

Halloween!

We seem to have a tradition of going to Sheri and Bob's for Halloween. Mia and Logan like to trick-or-treat together. They are sooooo opposite. Mia would not let me hold her hand one bit as we went to each house and Logan wouldn't let Lesley let go of his.

The ribbons coming out of Logan's back were for his balloons. Ohh did Mia want one of those! We tried to explain that an octopus doesn't need a balloon, but she begged to differ!