Hanging out in my hometown...at the annual Mistletoe Mart

Lia wasn't sure about Santa, but then when she saw him waving to her at a distance, she felt comfortable.  He came over and was so kind hearted to her.  "I'll see you Christmas Eve at your house, Lia!".

Doing a craft with an elf has officially become a tradition.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to the Macy's parade today with our good friends Esther and Will.  It was Lia's first time going!  She loved the balloons and the marching bands.  

When she got tired of being on daddy's shoulders, she sat on daddy's feet!  

This was her reaction to the first balloon in the parade, Hello Kitty.  There were a  total of 16 balloons; 3 were new this year...Hello Kitty, Elf on the Shelf, Papa Smurf.  We also spent a lot of time just dancing to the marching band's music.  Would we do it again?  Most definitely!!!!!  

Pretty, Pretty Princess

Lia turned 3 in October! For dinner, we had crockpots lined up with delicious meals, celebrating with family and friends.  Lia loved her Cinderella cupcake party!   She was so excited about seeing all the presents that she ran around the house, in and out of the circle of family and friends, totally not knowing what to do with herself!

                                     

My dear friend made this coat for Lia. We feel very spoiled... 

One of the presents from mommy and daddy was the game Pretty, Pretty Princess. This photo was taken a week later, during our power outage due to Hurricane Sandy.  

Uncle Tim bought Lia a castle...As Tim put it together working from the inside, Lia was hysterical to see the castle moving and walking around! But ultimately, it was the yellow smiley lollipop that he gave her that won her heart. (And all she wanted when I asked her what she would like for her birthday, was lollipops...)

Mommy and Lia's First Day of School

This past Wednesday, I went back to teaching, after a 2 year leave.  I am so excited to go back!  I loved being a stay at home mom, but always felt a funny empty feeling about not teaching; a longing.  

Lia is adjusting very well to the change, and is being taken care of by a good friend of ours.   She will take Lia to Nursery School on Tuesdays and Thursdays.   This Tuesday is Lia's first day of school and Daddy will be taking time off to bring her there.  Lia doesn't have any idea the fun she is going to have, but I know!

My mom used to say life is all about adjusting to new changes.  I see Lia often looking at me, watching  how I am handling it all.  As we drive together for 20 minutes in the morning to my friend's house, I am usually smiling and singing songs, or making up a silly game to pass the time.  She also has a choice of how to deal with all of this.  And I am proud to say, Lia has been absorbing it all, and enjoying her new challenges.  Good job Lia!!!!!  I often think about how God has orchestrated this all, and continues to take such precious care of us.  

More photos to come of Lia's first day...

Lia loves her new early morning routine, especially leaving the house in her pajamas!

Pure joy!

Lia got to finally splash in puddles wearing her first pair of boots!  After a lot of heat waves in New York, this was just another fun way to get wet!!!!
What a great reminder to do something in the moment, just a simple thing, that brings such joy to you.

Strawberries and Rainbows

Today we went up to Ancram to pick organic strawberries.  Since Lia was so excited, she didn't even take a nap.  The forecast was for spotted thunderstorms in the late afternoon, so we figured we'd get to the field around 2:30.  Lia especially enjoyed carrying her own basket that happened to be way too big for her to manuever. 

Lia and I had such a great day together.

 She quickly developed a habit of taking a bite of a strawberry and then being done with it.  I'd take over of course, and finish it.  Wow, were they delicious!

When we were finished picking, a crazy thunderstorm came in that lasted 45 minutes.  It quickly became a sun shower, but it wasn't a gentle sun shower.  It still was a powerful rainstorm.  As Keith, Lia and I were driving around the bends in Columbia County, we drove through multiple rainbows from one side of the road to the other.  As one rainbow would fade, another would appear.  It was so unbelievable.  Lia saw a rainbow last night, but this was an amazing experience.  I wonder if she will remember it when she grows older. 

Memorial Day Parade in Hyde Park, May 28, 2012

This past week Amy, Lia and I attended our local Memorial Day Parade.  We had a great time meeting with friends, watching the parade and enjoying the candy they handed out.  Lia loves parades and waving her flags.  It was a great way to honor and remember those that gave their lives for the freedoms we have in America.  We're ready for summer!  Lia would say Hooray!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day from little mommy and big mommy!

Six years ago yesterday... 4/24/06 was our L.I.D..

Keith here...  six years ago yesterday... 4/24/06, was our L.I.D. (log in date) of our adoption dossier by the Chinese government in China.  Little did we know at the time that we would wait another four years before we would travel to China and adopt our little Lia.  God definitely gave Amy and I patience as we waited, waited, waited and updated paperwork, waited and updated paperwork again, then waited some more and updated paperwork again before we would travel to China.  All I can say is God definitely had a plan for us!  Amy and I are so thankful for our little Lia!  We are blessed to be her parents!    

Here are a few of my favorite pictures... in random order. 

Gotcha day - 8/16/10

A day I will never forget!

 Lia getting her balance.

 A tender and sweet moment for a new mom. 

Bath time!

Lia's first tea set. 

 

Additions to our house - BABY STUFF!

Lia's 1st ice cream cone at the county fair - August 2011.

Lia taking it all in at the county fair - August 2011.

Lia's first 4th of July parade.

What I see when I carry Lia. 

WOW  

Easter egg hunting - Easter 2011. 

At the playground.

Fall 2011. 

So, what have we been up to?

Here's Lia ready to go to church on Easter Sunday.

We spent the afternoon up in Rhinebeck with our good friend Carol.  Lia especially loved running on the Beekman Arm's manicured lawn!

Okey dokey, I don't know how I took this photo.  It looks like I planned it or did a photo-op.

The Butterfly Exhibit at the Museum of Natural History was fun! The butterflies are getting nectar from the oranges in the guide's hand.

Lia and I surprised Keith with a party to celebrate a milestone with his career.  Congratulations Keith!

Lia loves being dressed up!  After church, we went to the Danbury Fair Mall and rode on the carousel. Lia didn't want to put on her regular clothes!!!!  Check out her jewelery.

I made a raspberry smoothie for Lia...

...here's her biggest smile ever!

Lia's first night in her toddler bed...sorry Lia for the flash!!!!!  I made the duvet comforter cover for her new bed.

Glad she doesn't know about splatter painting yet!

Happy Easter!

Last year we didn't even venture this with Lia.  The timing was perfect this year (she's almost 2 1/2)...she loved coloring Easter eggs with her daddy!  By the way, she doesn't want the Easter bunny to come tomorrow, but she does want to have some chocolates...

Yesterday, we had so much fun in the city with Uncle Tim.  Here's Uncle Tim and Lia at Rockefeller Center.  

Lia loved the Easter lillies.  She probably was thinking about how huge these buds were.  

Most of the time, Lia held Uncle Tim's hand. What a workout she had; she walked the majority of the trip.  (I knew I didn't have to bring a stroller; she's quite a trooper).  A few of the highlights of the trip were going to the Macy's Garden Show and also seeing the original Winnie the Pooh.  Do you know where the original Winnie the Pooh is?  

Sweet dreams