Happy Birthday Kyle!

A couple weeks ago, we were invited to celebrate Kyle's 5th birthday with the Barnett family at a sports/fun complex. Since Hannah is such a huge Kyle fan and we missed spending time with the Barnetts dearly - we knew we had to come.

Initially, Hannah was hesitant to jump in any one of the several bouncies that were available. I think there were so many kids and so much noise and activity - she needed time to get used to it. Once she watched Kyle and his friends having so much fun she then dragged Daddy in with her and once Daddy started slowing her down - she was off and jumping! Kyle's younger brother, Connor had a great time too. It looked like so much fun even I had to get in on the action. And Daddy was right there ready to take my picture (love you mean it).

And after the party, time for some yard work.

:)

"Busted flat in Baton Rouge..."

We had the opportunity to spend a lovely long weekend with our friends Clay and Ashley and their children Riley and Chance. We try to see them at least once a year and it had been over a year and a half, so we jumped in the car and made the "longer than we thought it would be" drive and it was so worth it! We got to see downtown Baton Rouge and relax with some very good company. Riley and Chance made a huge impression on Hannah (although their potty training did not rub off - shucks) and asks about them often. She wants to see "my Riley and Chance". Hannah also borrowed some beautiful clothes from Riley - Ashley knows how to dress her children. Hannah has fallen in love with the ballet slippers and the dresses. Uh oh... I think we have a diva on our hands.
:)

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines Day was pretty low-key at the Davis household, I think Chinese New Year took all of our energy. But I was able to take these pictures before Hannah went to church and she looked very Valentinesy.
:)

Don't Believe the Tiffany

When Tiffany emails you and I quote "Don't worry about me and CNY....I got NOTHING! I was looking around for some ideas and all I could find was the same crap from last year." DO NOT BELIEVE HER. I'll let the pictures do the talking...

P.S. I am sending my very belated CNY gift to Audrey this week. Seriously, thank you Tiffany for the wonderful gifts - Hannah loves the binoculars!

Chinese New Year Party

I apologize that it has taken me awhile to post these pictures. Thankfully, Aunt Vici sent me some additional photos which reminded me to get my act in gear (thank you Vici). It was a wonderful party. Hannah had a great time playing with all of her friends and family. She was so exhausted from playing hostess that she was asleep by 6:30pm (she usually goes to bed at 9:00). We served a variety of Chinese foods along with cheese and crackers - you can't go wrong with cheese and crackers. My first attempt at crab rangoon dip was a big hit. I'm going to try some new recipes next year. I found a website that you can order fortune cookies in any favor imaginable and we also able to customize the fortunes. http://www.fancyfortunecookies.com

We tried to observe some chinese traditions, Hannah got a hair cut, she swept away last year with a broom and we made a shrine to our ancestors complete with oranges. All the kids got to make a foam dragon (known to be a protector of children in China). I invited several adoptive families that we had the pleasure of meeting in the area. It was very nice to talk with them and give them some hope in this very long wait. Maybe they'll be bringing one more to our celebration next year! Thank you to everyone for coming and we hope to see more friends next year.

:)

Bubbles, Peanuts & Cheerios

Introducing the latest in couture:
A dress made entirely from bubbles. Look out Project Runway, here I come. One minute you are in... the next minute your dress dissolves.



We briefly considered shipping Hannah out. Just kidding, we were to lazy to take her to the McDonalds germ-filled ball pit - so we made one at home.




Evidence of Hannah's genius:
She used the pocket of her princess smock as a snack cup. Now why didn't I think of that?

:)

Tiffany needs to be stopped.

Tiffany, your brilliant ideas are killing me. Let me explain - this year Tiffany, Audrey's Mom, sent us the most wonderful gift. A double picture frame with a picture of Audrey on one side in an AWESOME outfit and a matching awesome outfit for Hannah to wear with instructions to take Hannah's picture and then send one for Audrey's frame. Damn girl, you rock. Now before you say "What's taking so long", let me say that there was some mixup at our post office and our post master came to our door CHRISTMAS DAY to hand deliver the package because it somehow got lost in our "Huge" post office. Big oops. Anyway, I have completed my assignment and I am waiting on the print and I will send it you asap.

In the meantime, I am posting the outtakes because I think they are funny and I need blackmail for when she starts dating.





:)

Christmas!

This year Hannah played an "angel" for two church Christmas plays. She acted just as you would expect a two year old to be - running around, getting distracted, walking off stage... basically stealing the show. I didn't get many good pictures of the angel in action, but here is one after the second show was over and she could play with the curtains.

We all got up early on Christmas morning to go to 7:00am mass. I was proud that we made it all on time. After a hearty breakfast, we came back home to open presents. Hannah was wonderful. She methodically looked at each present - and she started ripping at the paper only after she was told it was hers. She handed out our presents very nicely too. She wanted to play with each present as she opened it - giving fair attention to each, which made the process go pretty long. She was almost disappointed to have to move on to the next present. We took a little break in the middle and that seemed to give her a renewed energy to get through them all. Thank you for all of the wonderful gifts.
:)