Visit to the Zoo

Harper's first visit to the St Louis Zoo.

If you've never been to this zoo, you have to check it out & it's free!

We had a few hours to spare after an appointment & between naptime so we headed to the zoo.

We saw elephants!

Zebras

Gorillas

This is what happens when my mom gets a hold of camera....

In her defense, the sun was shining right in her eyes....

She's my side kick for our next trip to China!



Birthday Photos

I think Harper had the best 3rd birthday ever!

Saturday morning, she opened up the party hats & got her party table ready.

She took a nice rest & then was ready to PARTY!

Elmo

Harper & friends

Monday at school, they had a "celebration of life" ceremony.

Harper & Jacquie

We celebrated Harper's birthday for 3 days.

She was worn out.

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, she'd been home for about 3 weeks & didn't understand what was going on.

We love you so much Harper!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Sweet Harper

My baby turned 3 yesterday!

We had an Elmo themed  party at our house with family & friends.

I don't have the photos up yet.

At Harper's school, they do a "celebration of life" on your birthday.

I sent my camera to her school today so the teacher's could take pictures of Harper & her friends recognizing her special day.

Stay tuned....

Introducing Xiang

Yes, we're going back to China!

Hu Hua Xiang

July 2, 2010

Chengdu, Sichuan, China

April 2011 ( 9 months old )

May 2011 ( 10 months old )

July 2011 ( 1 yr old )

September 2011 ( 14 months old )

Love the thick, black, jagged bangs!

What a trend setter!

We were matched through our original agency, Great Wall, in late August with Hu Hua Xiang.

Xiang was born with a heart defect & had surgery in January 2011.

Since February, she's been in a foster family

 with a mother, father & 14 yr old brother & has made a complete recovery.

We're blessed to receive quite a few photos & updates of her.

We even got a video of her taken at 10 months old.

She seems so sweet & laid back, not a little pistol like her sister.

Bria & Harper are very excited about having a baby sister.

Harper kisses her photo & says " I love my baby sister".

We haven't decided on a name, so feel free to make a suggestion.

We're very excited....



Welcome Baby Reese

My newest niece was born yesterday.

Reese Lian

6 lbs 12 oz

Welcome to our crazy family sweet Reese!

Congratulations Fish, Paula, Cael & Ava

We love you!

School Pictures

Harper recently moved up to the next level in her school about 2 weeks ago.

She's now in Primary II & absolutely loves it!

Her classroom has kids from age 2 1/2 to the age of kindergarten.

She's one of the youngest kids in the classroom right now (almost 3 in a week ) & seems to enjoy being around the big kids.

They had "school" pictures yesterday.

The first thing she said when she woke up that morning was that she wanted to have her picture taken.

I snapped a few before I went to work.

I asked her how she was going to smile for the picture...

Can you believe she was this "cheesy" at 6:45am!

Labor Day

We spent Labor Day weekend at my parents lake house. It will probably be our last trip until next summer.

Neil & Bria stayed home but Brittany & her kids made the trip with Harper & I.

We had one super hot day & one cool day.

Harper always wants to drive the boat

No, Christa is not trying to drown her son!

We've got Harper fully potty trained except when she's boating...

Cameron & Brittany

It was nice having a break from the heat.

Cheers

There's just something about boating with a sweatshirt on.

So relaxing...

I even laid my head back for a brief cat nap while Harper drove the boat.

Since we didn't have a ton of time for the kids to get souvenirs, we hit a flea market.

How about this treasure?

Cameron found it!

Creepy

Later on that evening, we went to a bonfire

 My cousin Tyler & Harper

Adia & Brittany

Brittany & I

  We've been friends for over 20 years!

Adia & Tyler were so sweet & patient pushing Harper on the swing.

We all had a great time once again...