Happy Birthday Alex!!

Happy Birthday To My Favorite Little Blondie!

Christmas With The Clark's

Do I have cute nephews or what? These were the only two that sat still long enough to get a picture.

More Thomas!!

Grammy and Nia reading books.

Grant, waiting to open gifts.This last picture is for Kitty! Thank you again for such a beautiful dress for Nia! She loved twirling in it.

Christmas Morning

An attempt at a family picture. Nia loved her Christmas pancakes!

Alex refused to eat them because they weren't the frozen ones from the box. Go figure!

Grant was on a high all day to the moment he went to bed that night!

Nia checking out her new jewelry and tea set.

Daddy TRYING to get a toy out of the package! It is complete madness how they have a ten dollar toy bolted in like it is made of gold! Grant is trying to be patient.

Alex digging into his stocking.

Grant was excited to get a Leapster. Stinky thing is it doesn't work. I just love doing returns!

Alex was so excited to get a train!

Leaving Treats For Santa On Christmas Eve

Grant and Alex are always happy to leave cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer on Christmas Eve. After we set out the treats Grant told me he wanted to leave a present for Santa and he darted up to his room. He insisted that we leave Santa a Harley Davidson Magazine. Too cute!! Only our boys would think of something like that. They are sure that Santa loves motorcycles too. And wouldn't you know, Santa left a note that said he does indeed like bikes and that his elves ride motorcycles as well!

Alex would've rather eaten more cookies than leave them for Santa. He ate probobly a dozen of Aunt Julie's yummy sugar cookies!

Hope You All Had a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve was a great night filled with lots of family, food and presents. As usual the kids try to get us all to finish dinner quickly in order to open gifts. I remember that as a child, it always seemed like the adults took forever to eat! So we had a wonderful meal and then opened gifts and Santa even popped in for a visit! I wish I had gotten some pictures of Santa but it is total chaos when he comes in. Nia was screaming, Alex was running away, Grant was unsure of what to do and the older cousins just looked at Santa trying to figure it all out. It is fun to watch how all of them react. Then of course after he left they all ran to the window to see if they could get a glimpse of Rudolph or the sleigh. No such luck as Santa is very quick. Another funny memory I have of Christmas Eve was when Santa came to our house and when he left I ran to look out the window and saw Santa drive away in a brown truck. I still remember exactly what that truck looked like. I was like "what in the world? why is santa in a truck? shouldn't he be in his sleigh?" Ha! Ha! My older brother and sister assured me Santa just used the truck for his visits to all the children.

It's Official!!!

December 18th. The day finally came! Our girl is officially Nia Hae Yeong Lipic! Yesterday we went to Springfield to the court house, met with our attorney and into the court room we went. It all was so fast! In fact, my poor mom left with Alex to change his diaper and when she returned it was all over! She missed the whole thing! I was really worried because we had to be there at 1pm to meet with our attorney and then our time set up with the judge was at 1:30. Smack dab in the middle of nap time! But, thank the Lord everyone did great! Not a single temper tantrum the entire day from any of the kids! Now that is a praise! Afterwards we went out for dessert and then headed home. Grant's preschool program was that evening so we had to scoot home. It was a wonderful day! Nia is such a blessing to our family and we love her so much!!

Already December

Nia loves the Christmas tree. So far she is leaving the ornaments alone! Trying to get a picture of Grant and Alex in front of the tree where no one is sticking a tongue out!

Ready to bring home the Christmas tree!

Grant at Thanksgiving, looking so innocent.

My silly post it note boy

I had to post this picture of a cake I made. I saw the recipe on another blog and decided to try it. It was alot of steps! It was good but I'm not sure if I would do it again. It took me a good two and half hours.

Grant and Alex with their blankies doubling as super hero capes. Love it!

Nia has pigtails!!! Too cute!

The boys like to help feed Nia. Jessie our dog likes it when they help too! Alot of food ends up on the floor.

I can't believe it is already December! Where did November go? I have so many things I would like to post. Including pictures from a mission trip that Mark went on to Haiti at the beginning of November. But I can't figure out how to get his pictures to load. He had a great time and a new appreciation for things like roads, homes (not made of sticks and mud) and electricity.

We had a great Thanksgiving filled with lots of food and family time! We've got the house ready for Christmas (except for the outside lights, waiting for Mark to do that) and a good majority of my shopping done. One thing on my to do list is to get a family picture of us and get the Christmas cards out. We send out so many!!! I REALLY need to learn how to make the address labels on the computer. I dread addressing them each year. And each year we send out more and more. In ten years I may be up to 300! Forget it! Anyway, like everyone else things are busy with parties and get togethers.

One very important appointment will be on the 17th. Nia's court date for the finalization of her adoption! Yeah!!! Finally!!! Of course that is also Grant's party day at school of which I am helping with and then that evening is his Christmas program. It will be a busy day to say the least!! Busy but BLESSED!