I'm hosting my first "Matilda Jane" party March 12th! YAY! Can you tell I'm so excited?!? these clothes are so fun and unique! You can only buy the clothes through a "trunk keeper," not online.  The woman who designs and makes these clothes is so creative-you should check out her blog : www.matildajane.typepad.com 

It's so fun to read.

Anyhow, I found out about MJ from other friends blogs and just fell in love with it!  

Lunar New Years Celebration

I've been working on my photography lately-well at least taking pictures on "manual" vs. "auto," although, i still don't completely get it.  The class I was taking didn't help much either-i'm hoping to learn more by default.  I took these most recent pictures yesterday before attending our playgroups Lunar New Years Celebration.  It has actually been slightly warmer outside, so the kids were able to run around outside a bit.

I like this picture of G below watching the dance celebration w/ all the girls and their black hair and striking red bows

Here are some random photos I caught of the children running around in their beautiful dresses-it was very colorful!

This picture was taken right before the Dragon Parade started-all the children were lined up with their little drums.

One of the moms was helping pass out red envelopes to all the children

I kept trying to photograph this little girl-i found her to be so adorable!  This was the best picture i could get as she was on the move!

This little boy, M, was also adopted from Taiwan-he has the sweetest little face-i couldn't get enough of him! I actually met him and his parents 6 months ago randomly at a Thai/Vietnamese restaurant.  When I saw him, i just knew he was a fellow Taiwanese friend.

G made friends with a little boy.  It was so cute-they were playing "who can catch the football the fastest!"

K & M were mesmerized by the Dragon-i caught this picture of them staring up at him.  It was funny to see since K was originally frightened by him.

Who says we're cranky when we wake up from naps???

This was K when she woke up from her nap today-having a jolly good time in her crib! Surprisingly, it was a shorter than normal nap!

Oh! And if you're wondering if we're moving her to a big bed anytime soon . . . you're sorely mistaken! After 3 kids, i'm all for staying in the crib as longggg as possible.  I'm thinking Kindergarten? 

just kidding . . . sort of! :)

Deep Freeze in the Midwest!!!

I know it's been a while since I've posted. I have to say, I've been slightly cold!  December, we had THE SNOW and January we have the DEEP FREEZE!  It's been so cold, I can't even explain it.  Yes, I still go out-it doesn't keep me from bundling up and braving the elements . . . you have to get out of the house when you have 3 small children or you WILL go batty! :)  But, please remind me again, WHY do i live here?Why must we have to suffer for 3-4 months every year in this cold?!?   One of my best friends lives in Hawaii . . . I think I may join her!

To break up the monotony of cold, wintry January,  a friend and I drove down to Springfield . . .NO-not to visit Blago . . . but to visit my dear friend B and her kids.  They had a great time together!

This picture was taken before going to church on Sunday-all dressed up!

Some retro videos

Well, it's winter . . . it's cold . . . it's snowy.  Not much to post now, so i was digging in the archives and found a few fun videos!

The birthday one was while K was still in Taiwan.  She was celebrating her 1st birthday.  She was wearing one of the dresses we sent her and her hair was done up so nicely by her foster mother.  You could tell she was well loved.  The presents in the picture were sent by us to her-everything we'd send her . . . got to her!

So, for people still waiting for the final rulings . . . may this video make you feel better that the children are loved and cared for so well!

By the way, i was in amazement of the cake-so fancy! Yummy!

The second video was not too long after she came home, probably a month.  She had started walking and loved it!  The other girl in the video is my cousins daughter that she had recently brought home from Guatemala.  So cute!

This video was taken not long after her being home as well-she was being silly while eating and making funny faces!

Shout out!

I just wanted to give a quick "Shout out!" to my "blogging friend" Casey and her family for FINALLY getting their Final Ruling on their daughter from Taiwan, Annabella.  They have been waiting for a very, very long time, so this is much deserved!

Safe travels Casey!

waitingforannabella.blogspot.com

Winter Break is soon to end . . .

Tomorrow is back to school day!  Winter break will be officially over.  We're excited to get back into "the routine" of things.  New classes-gymnastics, ballet, swim lessons . . . a busy year!  But, looking forward to it-hoping 2009 is better than 2008 for everyone!

  We had a fun New Years Eve w/ our friends and their newly adopted son.  We vowed to only wear p.j.'s-no dressing up! :)  The kids got into the celebration as well.

J and his son on New Years Eve

G and his girlfriend E-they're SO cute together!

A fun trip to the city over break.  Here is K at the Museum of Science & Industry

Walking down Michigan Avenue w/ all 3 of the moochers in the stroller!

We also found some time to just hang out and do artwork.  The kids   were painting one day-i grabbed my video camera, as G wanted me to film him, and I caught O being a GREAT big sister on tape, helping K paint. Very cute.