Santa Photo's-A little late

I am trying to finish my journal book for 2008 and was waiting for these pictures. These pictures were taken at the CASA Christmas party. So I asked Riley's CASA if I could get a copy of the Santa pictures for my book. I got them yesterday. I thought you might all enjoy them. Riley wasn't too sure but he would tolerate Santa as long as someone was holding his hand. Divyne wanted NOTHING to do with him (as you can tell) but Corbin was just thinking whatever. I thought they were too cute.

Cutest little 1 year old

This picture doesn't have to do with her birthday but it was too cute. I was unloading the dishwasher and when she hears the dishwasher open she is comes a crawlin'. She likes to help "unload" the dishwasher. That just means taking things out and either handing them to me when I tell her no or throwing them on the floor. I turned around for a second and when I turn back around the next thing I see is this. She also climbs in Corbins bouncer (well once was hers) and just sits. She will also climb on the banana chairs and sit while either playing with a toy or watching TV. She is soo close to walking she is just not quite there yet. Anyway, this was too cute so I had to post.

Wal Mart has a special for first birthdays that if you buy a full size cake they give you a FREE 4-inch cake. I was focusing on the lady bug theme but couldn't ever find the time to get invites put together. So we did lady bug thank you notes. We did a lady bug cake and the 4 inch cake was supposed to be lady bugs also but Wal Mart mistakenly sold it to someone else. So we let Divyne dig into the 4 inch cake. She really enjoyed it. She wasn't quite sure what to do at first but she finally figured it out as you can tell from the pictures.

Well, she is finally a year old. We had a small party for her and invited just a few friends. I think she had a fun but long day. She got 2 little summer dresses, a cute skirt and sweater set, & a toy from us that Riley seems to enjoy more than her. This toy is the one that has the 5 things (in this case animals) that you turn or push the button and they pop up, she likes you to make the animals pop up and she pushes them down. We were so excited for her 1st birthday because that meant that if she was 20 lbs that we could turn her car seat around. So Monday we went to the doctor. Let me say this first. When we went to her 9 month appointment she was 17 lbs. When we took her in on Monday she was 19 lbs 4.5 ox. She was so close?? Over the past year she has gained 5 lbs but is growing really well. We are really trying to get her to gain a few more ounces to get her to 20 lbs. Corbin the other hand may just beat her. He weighed in at 16 lbs.

Corbin's Brothers & Sisters

Hi All,
We received a letter from the Adoptive mom of Corbin's 5 other brothers and Sister. It was really touching. All 5 children have been adopted (except for the youngest in the picture, her adoption is almost finalized) by this one family. This adoptive mom included her contact information as well as address so if we would like we can keep on contact. I am excited to be able to keep in touch with them. They are all so cute. Jack (the boy at the top of the picture) is biological to the family. The rest is below.

Shantell is a half sibling to Corbin and is 8
Krista is a full sibling and is 5
Val is a full sibling and is 4
Hunter is a half sibling and is 2
Meeka is a full sibling and is 1

More Christmas

Well, since we were unable to be home for Christmas and since weather prevented anyone from coming here or down there my mom sent us the kids' presents. THANK YOU MOM!! Anyway, you don't get much reaction from these kids when they open their presents only when they play with them. Although I was helping Divyne open her clothes box and she was really enjoying it. She is in the stage now where EVERYTHING no matter what it is needs to be on the floor. She is really becoming so grown up. She will be 1 year on January 24 and where we don't have any family near by to help us celebrate (ANYONE IS INVITED TO COME hint, hint...) I think we are going to have a play date. She comes to nursery with me and really enjoys it. So we will keep you posted on the fun birthday party. Anyway, here are some pictures from Christmas #2.

Corbin got a really cool tummy time mat. It has a wedge that allows him to sit up more. He really enjoys it.

This is Divyne getting ready for a nap in her cute pair of overalls. She looks so grown up in them.
Our cute little rugrats. They grow so fast but they are so fun.

Corbin Laughing

I had to add this because he is so bright eyed and bushy tailed.
I thought this was a cute picture of the 5 of us. We are still trying to get a picture where all 3 children are happy and looking at the camera.

Corbin and his new found friend.

I thought this was the cutest thing. It has been so fun to go through the stages of life with Divyne and now Corbin. It is amazing how different each child an be. Daniel was playing with Corbin the other day and gave him Riley's little giraffe and he got Corbin to laugh for the first time. I tried to capture it on video but I was too late. So this one is of him cooing and smiling while playing with the giraffe. Soo cute. I just love him. He is so cuddly.

Winter Review

This is the view from our living room window. Just kidding. You are looking at the nice pile of snow sitting in our front yard. It is an accumulation of snowfall during December and all the snow that Daniel shoveled off the roof.

This is the view from the backdoor. It is again an accumulation of snowfall during December and all the snow that Daniel shoveled off the roof.

This is one of the views from Riley's room. We really do have some beautiful views.

The is view view #2 from Riley's room. Beautiful sunset.

This is view #3 from Riley's room. This is almost the same view that we usually have from our living room window when not being obstructed by snow.

Well, when I last reported on winter conditions we had juts gotten our biggest snow storm. It really has not let up. One good point in this nasty weather are all the beautiful views. We are now just waiting for the next winter storm to hit us this evening through tomorrow afternoon. Will this EVER end???

Christmas Overview

Riley & Divyne playing with gifts from their stockings. Riley got a toothbrush that sings "I can't wait to be King" while he brushes, and Divyne got a musical cell phone.

Riley was sitting in the laundry basket (I do not know why) so I thought it would be cute to have them both in the basket. Riley is carrying around the monkey (curious George) he got for Christmas. He is such a stuffed animal lover. He has to sleep with his 2 bears, Simba, & his spotted Lion he also got for Christmas.

Well it is now January. This Christmas was our first Christmas with children. What an experience. I think it will be more fun when they are a little older. Riley is more interested in Divyne's toys that she got for Christmas rather than his own. Divyne is not old enough to know the difference so she just gives Riley really funny looks. They do however get along really well. Divyne just lights up when he walks in the room. I think these two will be so sad if they are separated.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year!!

I am making a "blog toast" to everyone out there. I am toasting to a successful 2009 for you Dad. I am also toasting to a successful year with our little family. May 2009 bring nothing but success to everyone. Love you Dad. We are praying for that miracle.