One Year Anniversary

One year ago today, Harper was placed in our arms.

It seems like yesterday, but also seems she's been a part of our family forever.

Words can't describe that day. 

We were anxious, nervous, & so excited to meet Harper.

Our first glimpse of Harper

This photo was taken with in hours of having her.  She was very comfortable & at ease with us from the beginning.
Fast Forward 1 year....

She's blossomed into the most beautiful, loving, happy, healthy attached little toddler.

She's loves her babies...

Loves yogurt!

Loves her Daddy!

 And Mommy too!

She's a goofy grape!

This last year has been wonderful having Harper in our lives. 

I honestly can't imagine our life with out her.

She's blessed us in many ways & has given us a different perspective on life.

We're honored to be her family.....

Now to some silliness....

2010 Awkward Family Photo

Happy Harper Day!

On a jet plane.....

One year ago we were on a plane to China!

We didn't take any photos of our arrival...we looked like death after traveling over 24 hours.

Happy Birthday to me!

A few weeks ago we celebrated my birthday!

We spent the weekend with my family hanging out & going to dinner.

Harper was fully aware it was my birthday, each gift I got, she thought was for her birthday.

If you ask her when her birthday is, she can tell you the month & how old she'll be...it's the cutest thing ever.

Paula & Brittany

We also met Grandma Roxy for breakfast before heading back home.  Harper wouldn't get in the picture...what a party pooper!

The last few weeks have been difficult.  Harper had a low grade fever one week & then a high fever (104) last week.   We've all been irritable in our home due to the heat with temperatures rising above 100 degrees.  Harper has been miss cranky pants while trying to recooperate from her sickness.

Bria has had dance practice at varying times these last few weeks, so we've barely seen her.

Baxter has alot of built of energy & has been naughty!

Yesterday, he decided to chew up 2 feather pillows!

Poor Bria had to clean that up!

The only good girl in the house is Nelly....sweet Nelly never does anything wrong besides sneak up on the couch.

And allow Harper to lay on her.

We're sooo ready for a break in the heat so we can get outside & play. 

Swim Lessons

I signed Harper up for a one week session of swim lessons. 

Since Memorial weekend, she's been out on the boat & been in the pool having a blast.

She jumps in with out any fear, not afraid to go under.

I figured swim lessons would be right up her alley

Day 1

Yep, real tears!  The lesson was 40 minutes long, she cried about 35 minutes of it.

She was not a happy camper.

She was having an "off" day.  Completely out of character.

Day 2

Completely different kid...jumping in with the teacher showing no fear.

The mama in me thinks she was the best "jumper" of the bunch.



Day 2 was much better...

Day 3



She's getting more

comfortable with the teacher.

Day 4....trusting the teacher a little bit more.

Day 5

She's happy so far...

Short lived- she had major separation issues on Day 5.  She would NOT get near the teacher with out Neil or I holding her in the water.

Ahhh...daddy always makes it better!

Harper ended up missing the last 3 days of the swim session. She got sick with a fever & runny nose. 

Overall, she did great in swim class.  By day 5, we had her swimming underwater from Neil to me.  The funny part, she didn't close her mouth underwater because she had a smile glued to her face.

She had a blast as long as one of us was in the water with her.

Happy Birthday America!

We had a very lazy (much needed) holiday weekend.

We chilled out, hung at the pool & grilled with friends.

Can you believe this is the same dress? 

Harper's first day as a U.S citizen.

She's grown so much since September!

Harper was a little afraid of the loud fireworks, but overall had a good time.

Next year she'll have more fun.

I hope everyone had a wonderful, safe 4th of July!

Baby Kinzley

While on vacation, our family welcomed another new baby into the family.

Kinzley Page was born on Friday, June 15 weighing 7lbs & ???oz.

Congratulations to Kevin, Manda & Kolton!

Harper loves her new cousin. 

Big Brother Kolton is ecstatic about his new baby! 



Vacation

A few weeks ago, we took our annual family vacation & went to my parent's lake house. 

We had about 25 or so people staying in one house & had more people at another house!  Needless to say, we had a LOT of togetherness.

I didn't take as many photos as I thought. With that many people, it was chaotic & noisy day & night!

The girls in the car. Bria sharing her Ipod with Harper.

Sisterly Love

Day 3- annual trip to SDC 

Bria & Harper on the froggies.

Eliot, Konner & Kaya

Ava, Lily, Kaya & Harper. 

So glad the "big" kids didn't think they were too cool to go on the froggies. 

Ava & Julian

Harper, Ava & Tori

Mom & Dad...they make this happen every year!

Lake time

Jayden, Julian & Ava hanging out on the boat dock.

Since the water is so high, we had to take a paddle boat to the dock.  The kids waited ever so patiently for their turn.

Eliot, Glenn & Susan

Ian & Eliot

This was the last day...

Thanks Dad & Mom for making this a memorable trip (again!).  The kids LOVE spending time with their cousins.  We all had a great time & look forward to next year!