Merry Christmas to All!

Mighty big shoes to fill....

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Nina is all about Christmas this year. We went into the woods and cut down our tree, which she continues to talk about daily, that Daddy cut the tree and gave it an ow-ie. When it was time to decorate she did put a few on the tree (all on one branch) but was more interested in putting the hooks on the ornaments. So far she has not really bothered the ornaments much. But she is always asking to put the lights on. So far she has seen Santa (more on that later), helped wrap some gifts, listens to Christmas music ALL day, EVERY day, and this weekend will help bake some cookies. It will be a busy holiday season but so far Nina is loving every minute of it. Us too!

One Year Ago Today...

We were in China meeting Nina for the first time. It has been an incredible year. We have all grown so much as a family. She is a happy, healthy and helpful girl and sometimes it is still amazing to us that she is our daughter. The sights of China are still fresh for us. It was a whirlwind 14 days but we remember so much: The first night with Nina in the hotel and the Christmas party in the lobby, the trips to the orphanage, zoo, Walmart, civil affairs office, the Cafe at 2; and our time in Guangzou on Shamian Island, at the park, the Italian and Mexican restaurants, and the Friendship store. Nina was apprehensive with us at first but soon we would see her trust in us blossom and now it is clear she is firmly attached. If every year is as good as this past one has been we will be very fortunate!