We had to take this picture for Joe!
K9 Police

Mia got her hair trimmed up and evened out. I want to let her hair grow out one length, so in the meantime my hairdresser left her bangs long and gave her some slight layers. It looks cute on the days when we don't feel like putting a clip or bow in it. It is still long enough to do a ponytail and use all those crazy hair accessories we own now : ) Mike and I decided that Mia was ready to go to a place where she could interact with other children her age. She has been home with one of us since we returned from China last August. I was recommended to a learning center close to work and Mia now goes a couple days a week. I think she is still a little unsure about it so far, but I really like the director and the staff. The have small class sizes and she has lots of fun. I was a little worried about the nap thing on a mat, and much to our surprise she did well. She saw all the other kids and followed along. We are able to let her bring a favorite blankee and that helps as well. The other day I went to pick her up and they were all marching in line with different musical instruments. Mia had the tambourine and she was shaking it around. I just stood back and watched for a few minutes and saw how much she was enjoying herself. It reassured me that we made the right decision and she is going to enjoy it!

Saw the shirt and had to get it! Mia points to her

"Bikle" and goes for a ride!

Today is my nephew Torey's 2nd Birthday.

Thank you for letting us celebrate with you !

We hope you have a great day.

We Love You!

Friday Photo Challenge #41- Helper Bee

I haven't posted in a while!!

We have been very very busy lately!

We had some family come in town for a week or so. We have been doing a lot and catching up on some family time! Below you can see some of our FAMILY moments. I will try to post more in a few days. My sister and my aunt decided to join in on the kids slide. We also had a great time going to the Brevard Zoo. We fed some birds nectar and saw a butterfly exhibit, but the best was feeding the giraffe's. We were at eye level and they poked their heads thru to get their snacks. As Mia gets older, I can see her enjoying her time with her cousins. I think she is a little timid around her cousin Torey, but after a while she warms up and they play together.

I have started to participate in a weekly photo challenge with fellow China adopt bloggers. Every Friday is a different theme and this week obviously was Play Ball. You can check out the hosts blog at http://www.lovinglydia.typepad.com/.

E N J O Y !!

Mia loves taking our shoes and strolling thru the house. This time she got a hold of Mike's flip flops. She was walking around saying Bye Bye.

This is look we get when we catch her doing something she is not supposed to be doing. This time she is caught trying to open the freezer to get ice.

Spoiled by the Neighbors

our neighbors bought a new ice cream machine and they invited Mia over for their first batch. It was really tasty and Mia enjoyed it ALOT as you can see! We can't wait for the the next batch. Thank You Nina and Mike!!!

SWIMMING LESSON GRADUATION!

Mia just completed her 2 week swimming class. Parents are unable to stay during the lessons, so on her final day, parents are invited to see the progress of each child. Mia is now able to go to the bottom of the pool and get a stick. She is not strong enough to get down herself, but with a little push she gets to the bottom, retrieves the stick (sometime 2 at a time) and turns and swims up. She listens to the instructor and all the kids sit on the edge of the pool and await their turn to swim to her. She can swim a small amount to the instructor and knows to turn back to the wall. She received a small penant with a picture on it of her jumping off the edge. Now that we have observed their techniques, we will definately keep it up. Mia is not afraid to get her face wet and enjoys the pool. Her instructor said she and another child did very well! We will sign her up for more classes to keep up with it. We are so proud of her!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Summer is in full gear!!!!

McKenzie, Tami, Mia and Natalie relaxing at

"The Cove" at Sebastian River State Park

Grandaddy and Mia strolling thru as

the tide started coming in.

Cookie Break after some swimming in the pool.

Like my goggles??

Mia having Fun in the Sun

We are home and are ready to celebrate Mike's 1st Father's Day! The kids on vacation made this craft for all the Father's and included Mike. Our vacation was great and Mia had so much fun playing with everyone, going out on the boat, and hanging out in the pool. When we arrived home our neighbors were outside and commented on how tan Mia looked. Believe me it was hard work applying and re-applying sunscreen a couple times a day. Someone in our group had a really fancy camera and took some amazing shots of Mia out on the sand bar. He is going to mail me a CD with the pictures burned on them. I will post when they arrive.

On another note, Friday the 15th we celebrated Mia being on our lives exactly the time she was without us. We were joined as a family when Mia was 10 months old and she is now 20 months. Our Family Day was August 15, 2006.

ANOTHER MILESTONE!!!!

Stephanie came to visit us and we went out on the boat. Mia loves Stephanie and she giggles and laughs with her. We are so proud of her graduating in the top 10% of high school. She leaves for college soon and we will miss her so much. She will only be about a half hour drive away. So she won't be that far away!!

Beach Bum

I just can't put the camera down !!!

We are finally in Marco Island with Mia! We thought she would join us last year, but we didn't travel til August. Mia had her first boat ride and really enjoyed it. She ran all over the sand bar collecting shells. When we got on the boat she started to sing, "Row Row Row your Boat" it was so funny and everyone joined in to sing. We are having such a wonderful time and Mia is sleeping well. She was so pooped out yesterday that she fell asleep just before getting back. Mike was a little concerned about how she would react to the boat and all the bumps and she most definately has sea legs. It has been so nice for the "Marco Family" to finally meet Mia, they adore her.

MISO CUTE !!

I just had to share this! Aunt Joey (my best friend) sent Mia this t-shirt. It is so cute and looks adorable on Mia. She loves anything that shimmers and goes up to it and says OOOOOHHHH! I am not sure if you can see but this sushi has rhinestones on it! Thank you Aunt Joey : ) you are always so thoughtful!