We made the move!!

So I haven't blogged in FOREVER!!! But when we decided to make the move to Kansas I told myself I was gonna blog more often. Mainly to keep our family and friends updated. Even though I know I can do most of it on Facebook not everyone is on Facebook.

So we made it here Saturday August 13th after 3 long days in the car. The kids handled it very well. They were real troopers and did really well the whole drive. Unfortunetly before we left Jeremy came down with a yucky head cold I tried my best to not get it but no such luck, day 3 rolls around and I started to feel miserable. I am feeling better now but still fighting getting rid of the last of this thing.

Here are just a few hings about our new town Shawnee, KS.

1. I LOVE the kids new school. They are friendly and super helpful. The first day of school it was pouring rain. And of course we didnt have an umbrella so when we got out they noticed we didnt have an umbrella and came over to us got us under the umbrella and walked us to the covering to get in the building as dry as possible. The other thing I love about them is on the drop off area they have 12 spots and there are 12 teachers that stand at each spot. As you pull in they come to your car open the door for your kids and greet them with a smile and hello and make the kids so welcome. They do the same thing for pick up too!!

2. I love that at our inside our Wal-Mart instead of a McDonald's there is a Subway!!

3. I am THRILLED about how green it is here and how many lakes, rivers, brick buildings, railroad tracks, and much much more there is here for my photography business.

4. We didnt escape the wind. It is windy here. Not terrible but a breeze is almost an everyday thing Ive noticed so far.

5. I bought some groceries and realized that some foods are taxed and some are not. So now I must figure out which ones are and are not!

So those are just a few things about our town so far. I know there is a lot lot more we just haven't had a chance to explore yet due to being so sick. But we are on the mend and getting ready to explore our town a bit more. Next blog I will add pictures!!

Marriage Matters Camping Trip 2010

Every year we go camping with our Marriage Matters class from church. This was our 4th annual camping trip at Lake Lopez in Arroyo Grande, Ca. We had a blast! Above is our family picture from the trip and the group picture with everyone who attended this year. It is our biggest year yet.

Getting our camp site set up.

On Thursday we went to the waterpark that was located on the campgrounds. Aaden and Abbie had a great time. Gavin on the other hand was not to sure about the COLD water. All in all we had a wonderful time.

Thursday night we went into town and ate at Doc's Ice Cream. Then went to the park to let the kids play.

 We attempted fishing a couple times but just had no luck. Our last day of fishing it was so windy we couldn't have been successful even if we wanted too.

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Aaden & Abigail officially become OUR kids!

We thought the day would never come! Aaden and Abigail joined our family January 23, 2007 and 3 yrs, 1 mth, and 8 days later on March 3, 2010 at the Los Angeles Children's Court in Monterey Park Aaden and Abigail were finally adopted.

(top left) Jeremy and I getting sworn in. (top right) Jeremy and I signing the adoption papers.

(bottom left) After the judge offically announced them OUR kids (bottom right) Aaden & Abigail meeting the judge.
(top picture) Our family picture with the judge.
(bottom picture) Everyone who joined us for this special day.
Addison, Savanna, Sissy, Aunt Jessica, Uncle Brandon, Matt, Nana and Papa.
And where do we celebrate DISNEYLAND of course!
We went to lunch at In N Out and then headed to Disneyland for the rest of the day and had a wonderful time. We all wore We're celebrating pins so all the cast members were asking what we were celebrating and the kids were sooo excited to tell everyone that they had just been adopted.

Christmas 2009

Christmas was wonderful! We spent Christmas Eve at Jeremy'sparents house. It was very different this year as it was the first Christmas without their dad. Then we had a great Christmas morning at home with the kids.

Abigail (5), Aaden (6), Gavin (1), Devin (7)

and Jeffrey (3 mths)

After a nice morning at home we went to my parents house for Christmas dinner and to open gifts.
The picture above was our final clue to the gift we were all getting. My mom being the creative person she is thought all this up. Each person got a gift. I got an umbrella, the boys got kites, Jeremy got a clock, Alyssa got a large purse, Abbie got a carasol horse figurine and I dont remember what Brandon got. But between all thoseclues and the letters. We figured out that we were getting tickets to Mary Poppins.
It was a great show! We had a blast.

The best birthday present ever!

Being a foster parent defiently has it's challenges. But one of the best benefits is getting to take the kids to special places. Especially when they have never been there before. So when we got Devin and found out he had never been to Disneyland we said we wanna take him there. So in mid December we took Devin to Disneyland for his birthday. It was amazing and we had the best time.

All of us that went to Disneyland and celebrated with Devin. Ben, Elaina, Jeremy, myself, Brandon, Devin, Abbie and Aaden.

Everyone but Elaina and I going on the Teacups. Not my cup of tea.

Also Aaden and Devin. They really did become best friends.

The birthday boy!

Aaden and Abbie with Santa.

We really did have a fun time at Disneyland!

Gavin Turns One

This was a day we had been looking forward to for a long time. We have never been able to have a 1st birthday party before so we were excited.

This was the invitation I made for his party. He was actually in the tree in our backyard at the time. (Don't worry daddy was holding on to him).

I got this great I idea from my good friend Breanne. She took a selection of her favorite pictures of her son of the first year and put them in the cupcakes. I loved the idea so I stole the idea. So these were black and white pictures of Gavin of the 1st year of his life. They were a hit at the party everyone loved them.


Gavin loved opening presents. And he loved every single one of them.

I made him his own little monkey cake. He really wasn't sure what to think about the cake.

All in all his party was a complete success. We had a lotof family and friends that came. It was a great way to celebrate such a special day.