Pumpkin Madness

Yeah, we had to hose the girls down afterwards
Meagan discovers a new "pumpkin-seed exfoliation" facial treatment Ahhh, pumpkin guts

Brown County weekend

Just now posting pictures from our big weekend in Brown County. We go with my sister's family every year and it is a sacred tradition that drives our husbands crazy. It's kind of a joke that each year we say we are going to go during the "peak" of the season, when the leaves are the most colorful. Well, every year the leaves are either completely green (like this year) or have already fallen off the trees. Anyway, we always stop at the park to take family pictures (in front of the very GREEN leaves...breathtaking) and then go into Nashville for the rest of the day. This year we had one more kid making 5 between the two families and this was pushing it a bit. We decided that neither of us can have any more children because it would make the Brown County trip too challenging.

As a side note, it is very interesting being in Southern Indiana with a daughter from China as this is not a very ethnically diverse area of the state (ok, who am I kidding, it is lily white!) As we strolled past the onlookers they immediately honed in on Alina's cherubic face, then, without fail, their eyes would begin to dart around, looking for the parents that matched this child!

Afterwards, we headed back to our place to celebrate Chris' birthday by watching the Purdue game and the whole gang spent the night. Alina is like a live doll for the older kids. Their favorite game to play with her (or TO her I should say) is called "Queen Nini" (Nini is what we call Alina at home...it was her nickname at the orphanage and is still really the only name she responds to. We think it suits her) Anyway, the game consists of Alina sitting in the laundry basket, and the kids carrying the basket around the house chanting "Queen Nini!" Sometimes they make a crown for her and a little container for snacks. As you might suspect, Alina thoroughly enjoys this and will sit very still for her loyal subjects. Hope you enjoy the pictures

Sisters

The above picture gives you an idea of how my little "photo shoot" went. Alina does not stop, so most of my pictures of her a just a blur. And it seems like when she is settled down a little, she's in a bad mood. Well, this does not work in my favor when I'm trying to get a good shot of the girls for our Christmas cards (yes I start thinking about this in October. I send or give out almost 100 Christmas cards, the result of moving around a lot I guess). These just may be as good as it gets. Anyway, I NEED YOUR VOTE! Leave me a comment and let me know if you like photo 1, 2, or 3. And DON'T just say they're all cute :) By the way, I do realize that this is SO not important in the grand scheme of things, but it is an effective diversion from housework.

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A budding friendship

I've been meaning to post these pictures for awhile. They were taken at a play date we had last week. The two cuties in the pictures are Violet and Anara who is adopted from Kyrgystan (sp?) Their mom, Amanda, and I met last year at the health department getting travel shots I think. We got to talking and found out that we were both in the process of adopting internationally. The rest is history. It is so exciting to see the girls we prayed so hard for, finally home, safe and sound and playing together at Castleton Mall. Who could have imagined. God is so amazing.

Alina and Anara taking turns
Alina looking cute
Violet has the best smile!
Our best attempt at getting a shot of them together