We are thankful

for our FAMILY!

We spent Saturday morning at the Mesa Temple.

Lars is now a member of our family for time and eternity.

Adorable, edible sweetness!

Uncle Nathan is NOT punching Lars. He’s showing him how to pound it!

Poor little Lyla was miserable. She’s had an allergic reaction to something

(can’t figure it out, maybe shampoo??) and has a rash on her face and torso.

She still wanted to have some fun.

Uncle Michael playing around with little Lars.

Saturday was a very special day.

We are grateful for the friends and family that shared this event with us.

Nathan and his girls

I had the honor of photographing my brother’s family on Saturday.

They are one gorgeous bunch!

 

Here’s a peek

of who you’ll see on our Christmas Card

Sierra Studios Photography took these DAZZELING photos.

Finalization

Almost five months ago I posted about meeting the judge that would finalize Lars’s adoption. We met with him in his chambers, so that we wouldn’t have to return to UT when it was time to finalize.

That time has come!

Today we finalized Lars’s adoption! Yay!

It was a little strange… With our previous adoptions, we had to appear in person the day of finalization.

Today, I emailed our attorney to check that everything went smoothly. It did!

November is National Adoption Month and we have so much to celebrate!

Miles’s finalization in 2006

Masie’s finalization in 2008

Lyla’s finalization in 2009

Today in front of our house celebrating Lars’s finalization!!

Only 4 more days

Until we finalize Lars’s adoption!

Our little TimTam is 5 months old today!

He is such a happy baby boy. Even though he’s been sick this week, he has a smile ready for anyone that interacts with him. He’s had a constant runny or stuffed up nose for 3 months now. His pediatrician has assured us he’s too young to have seasonal allergies, but we’re not so sure. Poor little guy.

He is super strong and rolls from tummy to back and then back to his tummy. I’m afraid he’ll be crawling before he can sit-up. He loves to stand and bounce if you hold his hands. He’s our first baby that really uses a rattle as a rattle. He bang, bang, bangs it back and forth, up and down, and hits it against any surface. I already can’t eat with him on my lap because he’s so fast about grabbing my plate or my food or my hand or I just can’t hold onto him one handed because he moves so much. He continues to be a spit-up machine, but he’s happy about it so we just change a lot of clothes (mine and his). We are so glad he is part of our family! We cannot imagine a world without this baby bugaboo.

Double Trouble

Masie and Lyla are beginning to show their girl power.

Frowning when it suits them.

Smiling or giggling when they feel like it.

Creating drama wherever they go.

They’re becoming an unstoppable team.

Our Christmas photo shoot was mostly frowns, attitude and girl drama.

Stay tuned for those festive pictures.

Trick-or-Treaters

No toy was left behind!

Our family has fallen in love with the Toy Story characters, so it seemed very fitting to let the kids dress the part.

Sheriff Woody

Cowgirl Jessie

Darling Little Bo Peep

Dashing Buzz Lightyear

To infinity and beyond!

 

Halloween was so much fun.

The costumes have been added to their dress-up box where they’ll get loads more use.