The day after Thanksgiving as I prepared to hit the early sales at 4:30 AM, I reflected on a year ago when we were traveling to China. It's amazing how time flies! It feels as if Leanne has been with us forever. She's the perfect completetion to our family. Wed., Dec. 3rd, we celebrate Gotcha Day, the day we finally met our daughter face-to-face. The Lord is good!

November has been a crazy month. I've added some highlight pics. Leanne received her 2nd haircut, but thankful she was calm (as long as I feed her M&Ms). Plus, she celebrated her 1st Thanksgiving. Last year she was waiting for us in the orphanage, but this year she enjoyed all the turkey fixings.

Leanne preparing to go to church.


Bubba & Sissy hanging out in Leanne's room

Thanksgiving with Ted's family
Last year she was in the orphanage, but this year she enjoys all the turkey fixings with her family
My handsome boys waiting for the rodeo
Sissy loved the animals!

I'm not sure who enjoys the rodeo more, the kids or Grandmother.

October Highlights & Leanne's 1st Halloween

Trick or Treat! Happy October! WOW, what a full month. We've celebrated Ted's birthday, attended the Murray State University's Homecoming and parade, spent time with the grandparents, and enjoyed Halloween with our friends. As usual here's some photos of all the events. Leanne, Abby, and Sam pose in their Halloween outfits.

Here's our Trick or Treat group (missing Emma)

Sara Ann, Leanne, and Hannah


Leanne loved every minute of it, which surprised me.

Emma turn her Prince Clayton into a frog

I love my Cowboy and Indian!

Sam & Lily looking cute!

Sam & his buddy, Drew - this pic cracks us up!

Nana & Papaw enjoy seeing the kids dressed up.

Ted celebrates his 39th birthday!

Grandmother teaches the kids how to make sugar cookies. It was a job keeping Leanne from eating the cookie dough.

Sissy at 21 months old

Leanne's 1st parade was Murray State University's Homecoming Parade.

Year of the Racers!

We are wrapping up the 1st nine weeks of school and ready for a break. Sam is doing well in kindergarten and growing everyday. Leanne has hit a small growth spurt and she's finally moving into a size 4 shoe and currently wearing 12 month clothing

Oct. 2nd, Ted & I reflected on a year ago when we saw Leanne's picture for the first time. It's amazing how God has placed the perfect child with our family. The Lord has blessed us with 2 amazing children. GOD IS GOOD!

Sam & Leanne laughed and played in the laundry basket, which always makes the best toy.

More pics of Bubba and Sissy - what cuties!

My girl is finally smiling for the camera. She actually gets excited about taking her picture.

My handsome boy, ready for church.

Last weekend, we enjoyed a family day at L.B.L. This pic was taken at the 1850s Homeplace.

Labor Day Weekend

Leanne ready for church
Labor Day was nice and relaxing! We took the kids minature golfing, one of Sam's favorite things to do. As you can see, Leanne just enjoyed playing with the pink ball. Then we went to Murray State University where Sam enjoyed climbing trees and Leanne took a nap.

Here's our little monkey!

I love this picture of Dad and Leanne.

Here's my new Murray Tiger Fan!

Pogue Library at MSU, one of the many beautiful buildings on campus. Ted & I are alumni.

Update on the Family!

It's hard to believe how much Leanne is changing. She's finally 19lbs and 19 months old. Running in all directions and pulling everything out of the cabnets. She is a happy little girl! Smiles all the time! Here's some updated pics of the family.Leanne loved Sam's birthday cake!

Sam's 6th Birthday!

Sam's 1st day of Kindergarten! He loves it!

Leanne's friend, Lyrica (Tyra's daughter) stopped by to say hi. Lyrica is 10 mon and Leanne is 18 mon.

Dad & Leanne at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis

This is Aly, Leanne's roomate from China. We met up with her family at the FTIA reunion.

Leanne's headband tells it all.

4th of July Party at Aunt Nancy's House
Leanne' s 1st time to go swimming!

Easter Egg Hunt , Sledding, & More

Leanne enjoyed playing with her Easter Eggs.
Daddy helping Leanne

This has been an interesting month! Within 7 days we had are largest and only real snow of the year, then 60/70 degree weather for an Easter Egg Hunt at our church. Sam is the master of egg hunting as you can see in the below picture. However Leanne had no clue, so Daddy helped her gather eggs.

Counting their eggs


Dad and Sam sledding

Wow, SNOW! 3-4 inches! We've been hoping for snow, so Dad & Sam could go sledding. As you can tell by the pics, they had a blast! Leanne and I ended up hanging out in the house. She didn't like the snow, but she didn't mind the sled. For some reason, she'd throw herself back and lay flat. Total observation the whole time. .

Leanne laying out flat.

Sam & Leanne

For some reason, this is how she wanted to ride in the sled. We thought she was so funny! She wasn't thrilled about the snow.

February 2008, Leanne's Baby Dedication at our church. Pictured to the left is our dear friends, The Perkins Family as they dedicated their daughter, Olivia.

This is one of my favorite new pics.

Here's Sam & Leanne before church. She smiles all the time.