Halloween....Excellent!

Halloween with Just me and my wee ones! Trick or Treating and a Fall Festival! Amazing Day!!

Graeme and 2 Lilys!
Lily Wen
Lily

Graeme

Thanks for the earrings Aunt Verna. They really make the costume, don't you think? Well that and the green faux hawk!

After years of going as 'just a Mom', I went for the Queen of Halloween! It was FUN to dress up with the kids!

Makenna, Lily, Lily Wen and Emma

A little spider won't hurt anything.

Born just days apart on opposite sides of the world and ultimately given the same name. Amazing Friends!

My crew with Jailey!

Stephanie, Carl, Laura and Eliza...friends from OZ!

My friend Kellie and her wee one, Mark Thomas

Visiting with our mermaid friend, Jenna

The face of, "I think I ate a little too much candy!"

Happy Halloween!!!

These pictures were taken earlier this week for a church Halloween activity. I am so glad that the wee ones got dressed up in the pretty fall weather because it is raining and much colder today! We are still planning to trick or treat later and then head to a fall festival!

Graeme is a pirate (again!) and Lily Wen an Arabian Princess!

Hannah and Lily Wen

Graeme and Captain Zach

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

A Day with Graeme!

This week, I took a day off from work to spend with Graeme and his class. We went to a pumpkin patch that is closer to our home. I was not going to go since we had just gone to a pumpkin patch but I just couldn't resist. Could you resist this face?

He was so excited because he got to ride the big bus and I followed along with all the other parents in our cars.

He spent lots of time with his buddy, Caleb.

I loved watching them explore.

They found the creek and started throwing rocks. I think they would have spent the whole day there!

For Graeme's fans who think that he smiles all the time, he doesn't! Even when he is not smiling, he is quite expressive!!!!

So SILLY

Can't we get a BIG pumpkin Mom?

Just a Mom and her boy on a beautiful Fall day! I am so glad I took the time to go with my weeest one. He won't be wee for much longer and I don't want to miss a moment!

Graeme is FOUR years old! Happy Birthday Wee Boy!

This is quite the long post with a SURPRISE at the end so hang in here! Graeme is turning 4 tomorrow and we celebrated all weekend. We went to Lexington and had a Pirate party with both sets of his Godparents. We had a fabulous weekend and he was so excited.

A Cake made for a Pirate

Graeme with his stack of presents

For those who know him, he continues to be an excellent eater. He ate almost an entire container of spinach and artichoke dip.

He demanded a pirate party! He told everyone that is what he was having along with a wink and an ARGHHHHH for emphasis!

Graeme and "The Godfather" (Mark David)

Mel and Brian with Graeme (what we all wouldn't do to see that smile!)

Graeme LOVED his pirate cup holder (THANKS SARAH!) and his ship! Lily Wen is in character.

The day after the party, the celebration continued at Bi-Water Farms

Lily Wen spots the perfect pumpkin

Pumpkins, everywhere, Pumpkins

Becky and the wee ones on the hay ride

Graeme

Lily Wen

We got lost in the corn maze but oh what fun it was!

Our search for the perfect pumpkin ended in these great finds!

Graeme kept seeking out the mud and he found it with his bootie

Becky found the perfect tiny pumpkin

Graeme was too busy laughing to do any work

They loved these things and would have spent the day here!

My wee farmers

For someone who is so into pirates, he was not so into this one!

A very tired wee boy after a very festive birthday weekend!

Graeme's Godparents (yes, he NEEDS two sets) Mel and Brian have BIG NEWS!

Today, they received prior approval (FINALLY) to adopt this sweet wee one

Soon to be Amelia! We can't wait to meet her!

Say special prayers for a speedy LOA and travel approval so we can get her home for Christmas!!!!!

5 years ago today...

I met Xiu Wen in a civil affairs office on the other side of the world. I had dreamt of her and prayed for her and finally, I was in the same room with her. I still can not describe how I felt when I held her for the first time. My Lillian Christine Wen was in my arms. Amazing!

We have celebrated Lily Wen's fifth gotcha day all day today and I do have pictures. This Mom is simply too tired to post them tonight. So it gives you something to look forward to later in the week.

I go to sleep smiling for I am the one Blessed as I was the one chosen to be her Mom. It still gives me chills. I have this beautiful, creative, energetic, vivacious daughter. I am hers and she is mine. Life just doesn't get any sweeter!

Our trip to West Virginia!

A week ago we went to West Virginia to see my cousin and his family. We had a wonderful (long overdue) visit. They met Graeme for the first time and I believe the Love was mutual.

One of my bloggie friends asked if Graeme smiles in his sleep. Well, I'm not sure if he smiles but I do hear him giggle sometimes while he sleeps!

Lily Wen discovered the bars and she was determined to master them!
Look at her determination

And her joy as she moved her body from bar to bar!

Graeme loves Alison!

He mimicked her every move!

Alison, Graeme, Karen, Lily Wen and Mike

Me with all the kiddos. Even Evan made an appearance!

This is one of my favorite pics from the weekend!

A little guy bonding time

It was wonderful just to be with family!

Rejoining the blogosphere

I am trying to come up for a breath. The beginning of this school year has been soooooo unbelievably busy. I have just had to let some things go like housework (let's face it, it never was a top priority for me) and blogging (this I have missed). I feel like I am breaking the surface and hopefully can be more consistent! So without further ado...the pictures...

Lily Wen's REAL first day of school. She did great and I survived!

Lily Wen and Lily in the shirts that Lily bought for them. These girls love each other. I was told by Lily Wen's teacher that they seek each other out at breaks.

Then, Lily Wen had to dress through the decades for school. First was the 40's, I had left my camera at a friends and missed that day. Oops! For the 50's, the picture was taken at the end of the day after the return of my camera. Thank goodness her Halloween costume from last year still fits.
Ahhh, the 60's Peace and Love

My 70's girl. This was Lily Wen's favorite outfit.

Last but certainly not least, the 80's. Lily Wen went with the "rocker 80's" look complete with Big Hair. It was fun to drop her off. I noticed all the kids who were dressed in a preppy style with side ponytails and then there was my girl. My Rocker!