Family Day 2009

It has been an amazing two years with Nina. It seems like she has been with us forever, yet we it seems like yesterday we were in China. She is a wonderful daughter and we are so thankful to be a family.

Trick-or-Treat!

We're a bit late with the pics - have had some illness in the house but are starting to feel better. Nina had a ball at Halloween. We went to a party at daycare Friday night, trick-or-treating at the mall Saturday afternoon and then trick-or-treating in the neighborhood at night. She got LOTS of candy. And she was just cute as a button in her costume!!

Nina turns 4!

Nina had a great day on her birthday. She went to the Children's Museum in the morning with Dad, then after her nap she got some balloons and opened some gifts. She had a friend come over later in the afternoon and we all went to McDonald's for dinner and to play on the playland. Then it was back home for cake and ice cream and more gifts, and some playing with all the new toys before heading off the bed waaay past her bedtime.

Camping

We went camping together for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Nina was very helpful in setting up the tent and blowing up the air mattresses. We arrived at night after supper but didn't want to miss out on the s'mores experience. Nina liked them but said she didn't want any of the burned marshmallow (that's the best part!). We left the next morning just before lunch. It was a short trip but we needed to have a "trial run" to see how Nina would do. She really enjoyed sleeping in the tent. We will have more outings this summer!

Planting Flowers

There are no flowers safe from Nina and her watering can!

Silly Nina

Cowgirl Nina

We went to a "Western Town" and Nina got a pony ride - her very first one. It was the biggest pony I had ever seen, but she thought it was great. She rode the pony like a pro.

Life is a Merry-Go-Round

We visited Spokane a few weeks ago where Tim ran in a race and Nina spend most of her time on the carousel. She loved riding it, but wasn't too sure about riding alone. We all had a lot of fun that weekend.

Growing Up Before Our Eyes

All of a sudden, it seems as though Nina is doing so many "big girl" things. In the past couple of months she has stopped using her high chair and bib (except when we have something really messy like soup or spaghetti). She has grown 3 inches in the past year and has out grown many of her "baby" clothes - 24 months, etc. she is a solid 3T. She is now sleeping in her own room. She can walk Thunder and keep up a pretty good pace. And she has mastered most of the child-proof locks on the cabinets. The one thing we are still working on is the potty training, and I know that will come with time. Some days she does great with it, and others only once. People always say how quickly kids grow up and I never took much stock in it, but it is true. Nina keeps telling us every day she is a "big girl" and she is right. But we hope she can stay "peanut sized" for just a little bit longer.

Pretty as a Picture

Dress up time

Ready for Spring

Nina is ready for spring and playing in the garden, even though we still have a long wait. In case you can't tell, she is digging in the dirt under the desk. Lets hope she has this much enthusiasm in the summer.

Happy Lunar New Year

A little belated but the thought is still there!

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!