Merry Christmas!

Most of you reading this blog have probably already received a picture like this. If you haven't, please accept our family's wishes for you to have a very Merry Christmas! We are looking forward to 2008 and all it holds for us.

First Haircut and Baking Cookies

Graycen got her first haircut from Anna--well, more like a trim. Her ends were really scraggly and Anna fixed her up. Gavin and Garrett also got haircuts. Garrett didn't get as much off as I would have liked, but it is a little less in his eyes.



Then we tried to get Grant into the Christmas spirit by cutting out and frosting sugar cookies. Well, he "frosted" a couple and then ate the chocolate cupcakes that Anna brought over. Anna is very artistic, and made some amazing sugar cookies. Here is the star that became Patrick from Spongebob. Isn't she talented?

All bundled up

See what I had to go through to get to go sledding? I don't think I can get cold with all this stuff on!

Our first snow and sledding

We finally got some snow yesterday. Not the 5-10 inches that they were predicting, and my kids were hoping for, but enough to get the grass slick enough that the sleds would go down the hill. Graycen has been talking about going sledding for several weeks, always saying that she is "so excited" to go sledding. She was excited, but 2 times down the hill was enough for her--lucky for Garrett, who was carrying her up the hill. She did go out again later last night for 2 more trips down the hill. It was a good thing, because the sun finally came out today and the snow is mostly gone. She'll have to wait until we go up to Iowa for Christmas to sled some more at Grammy and Papa's house.

Gavin's School Program

Gavin had his Christmas program at Gloria Deo this week. It was so good! He had a speaking part and really enjoyed singing (as you can tell by his expression in the picture). He did enjoy eating the cookies he has in his mouth in the second picture. It was a great way to get in the Christmas spirit.

Grant turns 19 and the Springfield Christmas Parade

My biggest baby is in his final year of being a teenager. The time has gone by so quickly. He has grown into such a nice young man. He will be a husband in a little over 3 months. I can't believe it.



Garrett marched in the Springfield Christmas parade on Grant's birthday. It was chilly and drizzling...a beautiful day for a parade--NOT! We didn't watch, and waited for him by the busses in the van. He loves having his picture taken as you can see by the pictures!

Kevin Retires from the MOARNG

Okay, I am way behind with posting! This picture (not a good one) is from December 1. Kevin officially retired from the National Guard on October 1, but his unit had a retirement ceremony for him on Dec 1. Here he is saying a few words after they gave him this really neat picture and yes, that is an Elmo on the floor behind him. He is dressed in an Army uniform, including hat, Kevin's dogtags and boots. Kevin is known for his Elmo impersonation...I didn't know he shared it with his soldiers, too! Of course Graycen has claimed him as her Army Elmo and he has a place sitting on the end of her bed.

It was moving to see how the guys in his unit respect him and look to him as an example. I know he is a great guy, but to see others appreciate him was neat.

Kevin served for 21 years in either the Army or National Guard. He is now on Retired Reserve status, which means he could still get called up if things get really bad, but he should be home for quite awhile, hopefully forever. I am very happy he is no longer going to drills. I know he misses some aspects of it, but the bad was beginning to overcome the good for him. If he hadn't retired, he would be going to either Iraq or Kosovo for a year very soon. I don't think I could handle another deployment, or at least I wouldn't handle it very well. He missed out on 3 years with his family between September 11, 2001, and October 2005. It was hard on all of us. I am so proud of his service and know personally that freedom is not free, especially to the the soldiers and their families.

Happy Graycen Day!

We've officially had our girl for TWO whole years. We had a fun day of therapy (couldn't escape that), eating lunch at Graycen's second choice, McAlister's (Applebee's was her first, but they had a wait), and pizza and cake for supper. She finally got to open her present when Daddy got home. We had told her she had to wait for him. Well, we weren't paying attention and turned around to Graycen ripping open the paper and box. I said, "Graycen HongYuan!" She said sweetly, "Daddy's home!" Okay, she did wait until he was home, we just didn't get to see her open it. One of our travel mates gave me the heads up on the Hallmark China Joy to the World ornament as a great gift for this day, so we gave her one also. She loves it and hung it on the tree herself, well Gavin helped a little. Uncle came over to help celebrate. She kept telling everyone, "Happy Graycen Day!" We even changed the happy birthday song to sing Happy Graycen Day. She had the happiest smile while we sang.





See how she's changed in two years...

December 4, 2005

Happy Graycen Day!

Mommy makes me laugh!

Gavin helped me with my ornaments. I love him so much!

See my new ornaments on the tree?

Oh how we love this girl! We can't imagine how boring our lives would be without her. We are so thankful to God for allowing us to be her forever family. She is such a happy, funny, smart girl. We know that God's plan for her is going to be something big. Happy Graycen Day, Sweetie. You are our sunshine.

Remebering our Beijing Adventures

Please click on this link to read and see about our adventures in Beijing two years ago:



http://homefortheholledays.blogspot.com/2005/12/china-trip-december-1-3-beijing.html



It is amazing how much I have forgotten in two years! I guess I am getting old after all. Next post will be remembering and celebrating Gotcha Day, which I think we are going to change to "Graycen Day" a little more loving, I think. She doesn't really understand when I tell her we are going to have a special day, but maybe after it happens she'll remember for next year's celebration.



I actually got our Christmas pictures taken and have ordered them from shutterfly. They should be here next week. I don't think I've been this prepared for Christmas cards in a loooonng time! Here's a preview of one of the shots that didn't make the cut.







Happy December, everyone!