Here are the stories of our busy life. We hope that you see God's Hand at work in our various adventures! Running/Flooring Vice President Al, Teacher/Photographer Lisa, Swimmer/Writer Addie, Master Mischief Maker/Swimmer Alden, Jewelry/Hello Kitty Lover Annalise, and Water-Obessed/Car Expert Asher.


Saturday, March 22, 2014

Lollypop Symphony

A week ago, all 4 kids were able to attend the symphony for the very first time!  It was neat for all of them to have a "first" together- and it was all thanks to a kind and generous neighbor!  We did get to go with some other neighbors and that, coupled with the beauty of music, made this a day they all will remember fondly!  

First up was getting dressed-up- Annalise was out of her mind with joy at this!  The boys even tolerated it, and Adeline loved that the sisters matched!  

Once we arrived, we were able to visit the "petting zoo" where the kids could touch and try playing a variety of instruments.  Everyone enjoyed getting to try them out and actually getting to see and touch instruments that they have studied and heard about.

I was thankful that this was a kid-friendly-focused symphony- this means that the kids could talk, point, etc, and no one cared, because their kids were doing the same thing!  Adeline and Asher were enthralled- Asher stood in the aisle swaying to the beat for most of it.  Alden was thankful his best buddies were there- and he seemed to enjoy just being with them.  Annalise- she enjoyed getting dressed up, and she was done sitting after about 5min.  I couldn't have managed this without my friends/neighbors Mary and Josh who helped keep kids entertained/corralled.  I have the most amazing neighbors!

The day ended with a Chick-fil-A tray of nuggets, some veggies and fruit at home- and no, there are no pictures of that.  

It was glorious and special- thank you all who helped make this special day possible!
Cuties all dressed-up!
Violin
Trombone and Drum
Theater and the crew that we took
Sweet faces enthralled!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Busy, Busy, Busy

Life is busy- but we wouldn't have it any other way!  The weather has been ah-mazing- and so we have spent lots of time outside enjoying it!  Pictures say 1,000 words- so I will let them speak!
These 2 are getting closer and closer- both emotionally and physically...
The creek that wraps around our cul-de-sac through the backyards, is a continued sources of fun and laundry!
Kiekre is an angle- or Saturn- depending on your point of view!
Sunday we celebrated 2 months with these 2 amazings!
Dirt+ shovel+ truck + outside= perfection!
Well-rounded Annalise- sparkly shirt and shoes, but a baseball cap and golf club!
Embracing being 3 years old with a fun car seat!
EEG- such a trouper with medical testing!
Finally getting his chance to go to school!
BFF's think alike- we met for lunch wearing the exact same outfit!
Baby pics of Asher and Annalise added to the family wall!
Dinner at a local park with another adoptive family!
Lucky, blessed, spoiled- whatever you call it, we are grateful for this amazing life!!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Asher's Surgery

Asher had surgery today and he did GREAT!  Al was out of town so friends helped- it was amazing!  Jennifer took the 3 big kids to school- Karen brought his pain medication and lunch- Mary picked up the 3 big kids and then took the 2 big kids to swim team!  What amazing friends we have!!

Asher did great- eyes are now fixed and can look the same direction!  Adenoids are shaved and he can breath more easily!  Tongue is clipped so he can now chew and speak properly!  His man parts are fixed and germ-free!  He charmed all the nurses and the doctors were amazing- one came in today, a day that he doesn't do surgery but he did just for Asher!  We look forward to seeing how these simple changes will help improve his quality of life!
All snuggled up at 6am on his way
In his spiffy gown
He still had a good sense of humor- this is his official "before" picture!  Next time- both eyes will look at you and his tongue will be OUT of his mouth!
All done- he just wanted Mommy- and apple juice...
Home- all snuggled and loving that he gets to wear Mommy's sun glasses...

Preschool and Therapy

Wednesday was a big day- Annalise started preschool and both kids started speech therapy!  Both were scheduled to start on Monday, but we had to wait due to the snow!
Cutie-pa-tootie!
Siblings excited for Annalise together
Loving her class
Pouting since she had to leave- she loved it SO much!
Celebrating with lunch at CFA- she loves chicken!
They both loved the stuffed dog outside of the speech room!
Posing
Asher hard at work
Bossing the dog around
Annalise working hard!
We are so blessed with these 2 new kiddos!!

Crazy Weather

The weather is crazy- on Sunday, it was in the 70s and the kids played outside in short sleeves!  Monday, it was snowing over a covering of ice.  Crazy!  The kids have enjoyed it and made the most of it!
Cleaning the driveway rocks
Playing in the creek
Monday morning- watching cartoons in Mommy's bed as ice fell
We bought the movie Frozen and invited friends over to watch it- sadly the wire didn't work, so we had to watch it on the laptop- but it didn't stop the kids from enjoying it!
Annalise preferred to help Mrs. Jennifer work... 
We had about 4" of snow- Happy March 3rd! 
Celebrating knowing the twins for 2 months by sledding!
Family Snow Kayaking 
Hot chocolate with friends after a sledding session
Buddies
Watching the snow plow- this meant that school would happen the next day!
Annalise
Adeline
Asher
Alden
Donuts with friends, too!
We enjoyed our 2 snow days- such fun times creating happy memories!!

Monday, March 3, 2014

22 Eyes

On Friday, Adeline and Alden had their yearly eye doctor appointment- and shocker- Alden needs glasses!  That means that 5 out of 6 members in our house wear/need glasses!  Asher very well may  need them after his eye surgery, but as of now, we have 22 "eyes" in our house!  

Saturday we all headed to Costco- the kids had all picked out glasses they liked when we picked up Annalises glasses only a few weeks prior....  Then it was off to the mall- once Annalise's ear was deemed "healed" by the ENT on Thursday, she was ready to have her ears pierced!  To celebrate all this, we enjoyed free Chick-fil-A ice-cream cones!  The afternoon concluded with some skating in the house- which was hilarious!
New glasses- and I love the ones Asher wants if he needs them!
Ears pierced- she didn't even flinch- she loves her new sparkle!
Ice Cream!! Asher is trying to lick his- which he will be able to do soon!
"Twins" 
That's more like it....
We are so incredibly blessed with this life God has given us!  What fun we have had this weekend!