2008 In Memoriam

1. Maya singing the ABC's and counting 1-10
2. New daycare
3. New house and newly remodeled family room
4. Auto start (can't say enough good things)
5. New blog design (I'm still in love with it)
6. Mom and tot swim lessons
7. Maya's first boat ride
8. Seattle trip
9. New adoption friends
10. Maya's 1st birthday and 1st forever home anniversary

Just a few things and in no particular order...Happy New Year!

Sledding and Pizza

Last night we joined some friends over at our friend Betty's place.  We first went sledding and then had some pizza and hot chocolate.  Maya HATED every minute of the sledding.  She just cried and cried.  Thankfully she had a blast playing at Betty's.  Thanks Betty for the fun night!

Not sure if she hated sledding because it was dark outside or that she couldn't move from all her layers...
 
Maya found a way to color in the middle of an Uno game :)

Christmas 2008 - Part III

On our final couple days of our Christmas holiday, we traveled to visit Dave's family. We specifically wanted to visit his grandmother one last time. Dave's brother and family from California were also back so we also wanted to see them. It was nice to have them meet Maya. On Friday night we stayed over and drove home on Saturday. It was very hectic and tiring but very fun.

Maya with cousin Leslee

Maya had a ball playing with Aunt Karen

Maya with one of her favorite aunts, Aunt Kerry

When we got home on Saturday, Maya learned that Santa not only visited Grandma Julie's house but also visit our house. I just loved her reaction. Priceless.

Christmas 2008 - Part II

On Christmas Day morning we played at the water park at our hotel. Maya thought the kiddie pool and the slides were so fun. She must have gone down the duck slide at least a dozen times. Maya also went down the big slide twice - once with daddy and once with Aunt Tori. I didn't feel confident enough to take her down. After playing at the pool, we spent some time at Grandma Julie's place. She made a wonderful Christmas meal and everyone opened up their stockings/gifts from Santa. What fun! Later in the day some of us saw a movie and then even later we met up with our friends Suzi and Ronnie. They are in the process of adopting a little boy (domestic adoption). It was a crazy/busy day but very fun.




She is a natural - look at those curled fingers!

Just to prove that Maya has an ugly face...

Suzi, Ronnie, and Joseph

Christmas 2008 Pictures

Christmas 2008 - Part I

This year we spent Christmas with my (Theresa's) family.  We left on Christmas Eve morning for my mom's.  The day was jammed packed with church, dinner, and opening gifts.  Maya was so tired by the time we opened gifts that she sat on daddy's lap for most of it.   Maya must have been a very good girl this year as she received many wonderful presents.


We couldn't get a very good shot of Maya with her Christmas dress on but you get the idea.  Thank you to Aunt Kerry for picking it out and for giving it to her. 

 

Maya received a big girl sleeping bag from her aunt Tori and family.  
 
Maya had fun playing with her cousins

Maya sure loves her Aunt Tori

Maya received some dress up shoes - maybe she'll wear those versus mine
 
These are just highlights of Christmas night - stay tuned for pictures from the rest of our trip.  What a busy few days we've had!

Whew, finally home

It feels like forever since I have updated my blog.  I guess being out of town for the holidays is a good reason.  We had a wonderful Christmas with my family.  We also had a great visit with Dave's family yesterday and this morning before driving back to Fargo.  Unfortunately one thing wasn't so good.  We lost Dave's grandmother early this morning.  She was a very sweet and lovely lady who lived a wonderful 97 years.  Maya kept saying "Grandma Barbara" today.  We told Maya she is sleeping so she says "Grandma Barbara sleeping".   It is too bad that Maya will never know her.