You Are Special

I really miss my sister! She has so many things coming up that make it hard to be so far away! Most notably, her wedding !! Audrey, I love you SO much and think about you everyday!!

I wanted to share a few of my very favorite sister pics...

This is at the farm, we look like big nerds with these hats on, but I've always loved this pic!
At an OSU Football game when Aud was in college!! Love her and our school!!
This is when Audrey won first place at the State Track meet when she was in highschool.. She is way cool!!

Audrey, you're very special.. and I just wanted to say I LOVE YOU! (I just noticed in the last two pics, I'm squeezing you so tight!! I'm sending you a virtual squeeze RIGHT NOW!!)

Bouncin!

Olivia loves her new bouncing jumparoo! Thanks Gma Linda and Gpa Brent :)

The first few times, she sat with a confused look on her face.. but she's really getting the hang of it now!! She loves to bounce and blow bubbles and smile (of course)!

My Cutie Pie

I wanted to share a few pictures that I've edited! Aren't they cute!?



Olivia's first time wearing 'shoes'.... tasty :)


Ahhh .. I LOVE this jumping gym :)

What A Trip!

- 18 Pieces of Luggage weighing in close to 1000 pounds!!!!

- 5 Carry-on Suitcases

- 4 kids

- 3 families

- 3 diaper bags

- 25 hours of travel

= 1 LONG TRIP!

We've been back in Shanghai almost a week and just now catching up on rest!! Here are some pic's of our journey back!

LOVE this face - it says it ALL!!
Jack and Owen in the Chicago airport....

Olivia 4 Month Photos

As busy as the trip home was, we were able to squeeze in an evening with Charity, a good friend and pledge sister of mine, who is ramping up a photography business! She is SO talented...and we couldn't be more pleased with the photos!! Here are a few of the shots... I wanted to post them all, but figured 75 might be too many!!

If anyone is interested in hiring Charity, her contact info can be found at http://catphotography.zenfolio.com/

I highly recommend her, and she's using the proceeds toward an upcoming adoption!

Special thanks to Aunt Casey for the adorable wings and tutu!!!




I can't believe my baby is 4 MONTHS OLD!!!

Why Haven't We Been Writing?

We are pooped!!

It has been wonderful being back in the USA! Wonderfully exhausting!! Living away for two and a half years now, I'm normally quite busy during my trips home... re-connecting with family, visiting friends, shopping, endless doctor check-up's, frequent visit's to Taco Bueno and Chick-fil-A :) Prior to this trip, I had NO IDEA how NOT busy I was before!! The calendar was pretty much full several weeks before we even touched ground in Tulsa. Olivia has been one popular girl.

She's been such a trooper. She's smiled and flirted as she's been passed from person to person, stared with curiosity at puppy licks on her toes, performed all her new tricks time and time again (watching her grab her feet and blow raspberries provides endless entertainment) and fussed for mom only when she's been super hungry/sleepy.

We've done our very best to spend time with everyone... saying it's been hectic is an understatement! I suppose this will always be a challenge while we live so far away and have such a wonderful, beautiful daughter who's so popular. And wonderful family and friends who we want her to build relationships with :)

The trip back to Shanghai looms ahead.. Although we feel that we're called to be there longer, it's always a tough trip back. (I've already packed 2 suitcases and 2 boxes.. the packing gets old fast.)

Enough about that! I'm looking forward to the last part of the trip here.. trying to make as few plans as possible so that I can have some personal relaxing time.. I'll be posting more pic's of our recent activities as soon as I find time to get them on the computer!

Olivia's First .....

TRIP TO THE MALL!!!

Yesterday, we ventured out to Woodland Hill's Mall in Tulsa with Olivia's friends: Owen, Ben, and Lucy.... and their moms: Heidi, Jessie, and Sarah Ann (all sisters!). "Nana-Ann" (Owen, Ben, and Lucy's Gma) also joined us!

We were quite a site! Olivia - 3.5 months; Owen - 10.5 months; Ben - 3 months; and Lucy - 7 weeks!

What a group!

Olivia and me! She's a drooling Queen :)

Heidi and Owen! He's having a great nap!

Jessie and Ben! He's chillin' in the pack!

Sarah Ann and Lucy! Beautiful girl and such a sweet dress!

The babies were SOOO good...

Olivia hung out most of the time awake in her seat.. Ben took a great snooze on his tummy.. Owen hung out playing with toys.. and Lucy passed out and lost her pacifier :)

At Christmas time, we all laughed and talked about how fun (and crazy) it would be all going to the mall together once all the babies were born! You'd think that an outing with four babies might be stressful, but it wasn't at all. I loved it! Lot's of laughs and pictures! We were even able to sit and eat in the food court and all the kids were in their strollers!! Happy or asleep!! I'm not sure what the odds are of that happening again .. but I'm sure we'll find out!

One more pic of my sweetie pie.. she loves playing with her rattle bugs on her car seat bar!