Adoption Party

We had a party at our house this past Saturday to celebrate the boys' adoption. They were so proud and enjoyed playing with the other kids even though sharing is hard. I found this reusable plastic cake topper you can put a picture in at Michael's and I love it! I plan to use it each year when we celebrated the anniversary of the adoption.

We also got this frame with a mat for friends and family to write a special congratulatory message to the boys. We had a similar frame at our wedding, so we thought it would be a great memory for them as well. They will know how dearly loved they are every time they see it on display. I also made a Shutterfly book and calendar with pictures from our first year as a family of four.

Thanks Moore family for the coloring pad sets! The boys are big fans and so am I since the markers only write on the special paper!
Ms. Sophie and Mrs. Franklin are very popular gals in our house! Johnny talks about Sophie daily and they give each other such sweet hugs every time they see each other. They are both such affectionate little ones that Alyssa and I joke that we may have to restrict contact when they become teens!
The boys also LOVE when we get to visit with Gran and Poppa D so this day was no exception!
Meme and Papa also drove down for the party and we appreciate that so much! It was such a treat for you to share this special day with us!
The timing of the party being the weekend before Christmas made it impossible for many of our sweet friends and family to attend. Thank you to all of you that were there in spirit and we look forward to spending time with you during the new year!

Dear Sweet boys,

We could not be prouder to be your Mom and Dad! We love you more than words can describe and can't imagine our lives or family without you, our sweet blessings from God!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

December Recap

We have been having a lot of fun this December. Nearly every weekend is full of holiday fun! We are doing some of the things we did last year that are becoming traditions while adding a few new things to our calendar. We went to Santa's Workshop at Angel's school again this year. The boys made crafts, including decorating their own little Christmas tree. The trees make their rooms look so festive!

Here is a picture of Angel from Santa's Workshop last year! Johnny wore this shirt just the other day! We are sharing some hand me down love at our house, which makes this mommy happy!

We also went back to Bass Pro Shop or "Santa's House" as the boys call it year round! The boys made a reindeer ornament, visited with Santa, and played the fun (free) games. I am a big fan of the free part, especially since you get a free 4x6 picture with Santa and can take your own too. Why stand in the long mall line and pay $40 when you don't have to?!

I am also loving the pictures my new camera took! I'm sure thy will get better as I learn how to use it more.

This year the boys stood next to Santa and held his hand. I think the jolly fellow may have been feeling the weight of another year of aging like the rest of us!

Angel did not threaten to hit Santa even though that is what it looks like in this picture. This is when Santa was telling him to slow down so he could understand his wish list. He was just a bit excited!

Here is a flash back to 2009. Once again I will say, what a difference a year makes!

Jeff and I were both able to attend Johnny's Christmas party at school! It is such a blessing to have Daddy working from home! He can take a quick break to enjoy special memories like these!

They had a book exchange and Johnny ended up with the perfect book. It is about feeling loved and boy is he ever loved!
This was Johnny's last week at the Montessori school. We will miss his friends and sweet teachers, but truly feel it is God's plan for our littlest man to be home with us more before he starts kindergarten next year.
Ms. Patty and Ms. Christina, thanks for loving our sweet Johnny and taking such good care of him! They also made him a little photo book of memories of his time in their class. This momma loves it!
Johnny with Daddy at the party.
And with Mommy.

I got this shirt for both boys this year and think it is hilarious and oh so fitting for their daily antics! It says, "It's all fun and games until Santa finds out". HA!

Another post is coming shortly on the sweet adoption party we had to celebrate our boys officially becoming members of the Albus family!

Decorating for Christmas and 29

I promised you a lot of flash backs this holiday season to our first Christmas together last year. Here is a collage of us decorating for Christmas in December 2009. Look how tiny our little men were!

This year Jeff decided to put lights on the roof. Last year we mostly just put lights on the bushes so this was a bit new and challenging.
Jeff's ladder wasn't tall enough so he used it to get on the roof and then climbed from place to place armed with a string of lights and some toothpicks. Yes, my husband used toothpicks stuck under the shingles to hang the lights from. What a clever and brave man I have!
He kept saying, "I can't smile...I'm scared." He was so sweet to risk his life in the name of Christmas decor! HA!
The end result was beautiful!
We decorated the tree a bit later than we usually do, much to my husband's dismay. I wanted a change and it took me a while to figure out what I wanted and how to achieve it.
The kids loved putting the ornaments on! They still do, daily rearranging them to showcase their favorite ornaments, the ones they have made.
Here is the tree and mantle with a fire in the fire place. This was the one night so far it has been cold enough for a fire. I just love Christmas decor! My house is its coziest this time of year!
Last week I celebrated my 29th birthday. I was telling Angel one day I wasn't sure how I felt about turning 29 because that meant next year I turn 30. He told me "well mom, you just have to be okay with it because 30 comes after 29!" HA! He is right, wisdom from a 7 year old is just what I needed!
My sweet hubby took me to Las Alamedas and it was really yummy! He had flowers delivered there and waiting on the table when we arrived! He also bought me a new camera for my birthday/Christmas! I love it!! Thanks for spoiling me sweet Jeff!