Monday

Keeping the girls entertained....have to find something to do everyday! So today it was homemade bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and painting birdhouses (1.00 from Joannes).

We pulled out the Easter Sidewalk Chalk from the Easter Bunny

Then they drew and drew.....

"Two mama!"

Bella kept trying to "help" big sissy with her picture...

Then it was on to....painting these cute little birdhouses. I love finding cheap entertainment! It cost me a total of 4.00 to buy two birdhouses and two things of paint....Thank you Joannes!

Bella picked out all of her colors....she wanted to try them all

Maddie took her time picking out and then painting her design.....

The finished products....

Pop Pop Pop

While visiting the Cornucopia Days in Kent Grandma purchased a bubble gun for the girls to play with in the backyard....Bella is the first to try it out since "sissy" is still on her trip.....

"Grandma do it!"

"Pop, Pop"


"Running and running..."

"Boo Boo do it!" (whenever Bella wants to do something herself, this is what she says because we call her Boo Boo)

"Fun fun!"

Bella loves the bubble gun, playing in the sunshine, and hanging with Grandma!

Waterpark Blast

Today Mama and Grandma took Miss Bella up to Cornucopia Days in Kent. There was a water park there...what a BLAST!!!

She was very unsure at first...just standing on the sidelines...watching all the other kids

Decides to do a little dance....before going all the way in....

Still standing on the side....thinking a bit more about getting in

Laughing at everyone else in the water....

Then she saw another baby all the way in the water....so she decided she could brave the water too!

There she goes!!!!

WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!

Once she got in...she loved it so much she didn't want to get out! We will have to go back to this water park soon! When big sissy gets home from San Diego

A Few More San Diego Highlights

Welcome to Poway, right where Grammie and Papa live! Here are a few more of our favorite trip highlights.....

Welcome to Poway....we are happy to be here in the sunshine!

Visiting the winery that we got married at 3 years ago.....

Feeding the ducks at the lake by Papa's house....

Swinging at the park....

Riding on the train.....

In Bella's words, "choo choo train!"

Time with daddy...priceless!

Swimming in the pool.....

We had so much fun in San Diego!!

San Diego Zoo Photo Extravaganza

Vacation was really fabulous....we needed it. Family time was awesome!!! The San Diego Zoo was one of the first things that we did...it was a gorgeous day and we all enjoyed it. Lots of pictures to share....

Papa and Maddie posing

Bella loved the petting area

Waiting for the "big bus" to tour the zoo

Loved all the time with daddy....

Grammie and Bella hanging out while eating our lunch

Lunch break

Giraffes were my favorite...they are so graceful (so unlike me)

Riding on papa's shoulders

Maddie up close and personal with the Orangutan

Mama and first born baby

She fell asleep right before we were getting ready to leave...she had so much fun but was tuckered out!

Adoption Celebration....We are So Blessed

Our first night in San Diego was spent celebrating our adoption.... It is almost 100% official now and we couldn't be happier. We have one last step to take...the final signing with the judge. We had planned a special dinner for a special girl with a special gift from her dad....

A big thank you to my dad and my step mom Barb who helped us prepare our first adoption celebration(another one will happen after the final signing)...it was a sweet and memorable night that none of us will ever forget.

Dad and Maddie getting ready to eat...the weather was perfect ..as was the setting....poolside in San Diego!

Father and Daughter....they adore each other. I love it....

A surprise gift for our girl to celebrate her adoption.....When she opened her necklace from dad...she was really really excited and surprised!!!

Putting it on her......

Proud....

Our family is so blessed and we are so lucky to have found each other....