and yet another first!

As some of you may know, we are somewhat partial to Disneyland around here. Katie has not been yet - I was pretty sure she would overload pretty quickly..but at Christmas time, I just couldn't resist (warning - there are a lot of pictures!) 

Christmas is a great time to be at Disneyland.....everything is very beautifully decorated & "christmas-y"! 

Our first ride was the merry go round...mostly because it was the first one that we saw! She insisted that we go on it! 

Tia Annie came along for the occasion (and to lend a hand....)

A rare photo with mom and her girls! 

I love how happy she looks in this picture! 

Then onto Dumbo....

....and the teacups....

....and of course "It's a Small World"! 

It would not be a complete Disney Christmas without a visit to the Happiest fat man on earth! They have a great Santa at Disneyland - and I dressed the girls just in case we were able to get a good picture of them with Santa....(Katie's first Santa visit).....

....and hte gamble paid off! I think this is a great picture (ok - maybe just as good as one can hope for!) of the girls with Santa!

Tia Annie's grand-daughter Lily came with us - she had her own encounter with Santa (she's only 17 months old - so she gets a lot of latitude this year!)

Then onto "Winnie the Pooh" ride.....

...and an encounter with the real bear himself! 

As well as a visit with TIgger 

If this is any indication, I would say it was a very successful first trip to Disneyland for Katie! 

Thanks to our good friend Kris for making this day possible for Katie - 

Katie's First Christmas Party

One of the most amazing parts of the adoption journey is the walk through all the  "firsts" that these children experience. Katie embraced each and every first with a gusto and vigor that is extraordinary! The Christmas season is proving no different...she loved getting the tree, and tonight we went to her first ever Christmas party. It was at my grandmother's retirement home, and it was complete with food, music and a Santa (a skinny & unique Santa, but Santa none the less). The girls had some very cute dresses - and did a little showing off on the dance floor.

Katie was a bit unsure at first about the whole Santa thing (it might have been this particular Santa)....

...but she warmed up very quickly! 

Auntie "D" came along for moral support as well as the extra set of hands that was necessary! 

Me and my girls (who were, at this point, quite frankly more interested in their gifts from Santa!)

Maybe Santa will bring al ittle romance to Grandma this year?? 

It was a lovely way to get the holiday party season started and it was a great first Christmas party for Katie!  

O Tannenbaum

It's not Christmas time till the tree is up....and the tree is a big deal in our family. It's a process - and it involves everyone! We actually waited till Ashlee was home from work and went tree shopping.....

We were looking through our 2010 pictures - and realized there was not ONE of just Doug & I together...there is always some child or another invading the picture...so this one might be it for the year! 

Dad & the big daughter...

Katie with her very first Christmas tree - ever! I think she likes it!  

Ransom love shots......(waiting for dad to pay!) 

...home - ready to be adorned....

Putting the lights on the tree is always a ...lets just say...."special experience" - and one that I am not ready to expose our young children's minds too- so I took them to church and Doug put the lights on! The girls came home from Sunday School to a lighted tree....

We let Matt place the ceremonial first ornament...

....and the Angel who holds the crown of thorns! 

Katie quickly got into the spirit of things - she loves her tree! 

A true family affair! 

Katie settled into a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" - another first....

Bring on Christmas - the tree is up!!! 

Scenes from a random week

It's been a week of "catch up" and random stuff after a very full week with Katie's birthday, Thanksgiving and our annual soup supper for our neighborhood. 

Becky thought it VERY funny that Grandpa George fell asleep on the couch! 

Daddy and his baby girl! 

Sissy and the girls having a high flying good time!!! 

Katie looked so cute with her hair up and her new sweater.....

On Thursday night, our church had their annual women's Christmas event. Destiney and I went for a girl's night out - and had a great time. It was a lovely way to kick off the Christmas season!