THE SOCKS

 28 years ago Mandy received a personalized, hand knit, Christmas stocking.  With each addition to the family, my mom has made sure they received their very own stocking before their first Christmas.

  Thankfully, the lady who made them is still at it.  Alanna received her sock for her birthday, just in time for her first Christmas with us.

The kids kindly obliged when Grandma suggested they put them on and pose with them around the tree.   I told them not to worry; their faces wouldn't show.

           Sorry, guys, the camera slipped, but I think I found out how to get you all to smile.

                                         I'll just tell you your face won't show!

                               Like Tyler said, "Now she's really a member of the family"

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY, ALANNA!

       Happy birthday to OUR precious, beautiful, sweet, DAUGHTER, Alanna Jessica Snow J.

 

The first of many many birthdays we will celebrate together.

You now have a family to  sing you happy birthday for the next 100 years!

                                                  We love you, baby!  FOREVER!

WE ARE FAMILY!

   It's legal!  She's really our DAUGHTER!  FOREVER!

                                 After anxiously waiting, Guinea Pigs in hand (yes, Guinea Pigs),

 

and visiting with two very special social workers who were there for her every step of the LONG way home,

                 We finally had our turn in front of the judge, Guinea pigs in tow.  Doug and I raised our right hands and said, "WE DO" to all he asked!

    Then Alanna asked the judge if he would sign a decree for her to officially adopt her Guinea pigs.

   So the judge asked Alanna to raise her right hand and promise to be responsible for the love, care, and education of her Guinea pigs.  She said, "I DO", and the judge signed.

   


                                    Now we are legally a family, Guinea Pigs and all!

                            


         With a very beautiful little girl who will celebrate her 11th birthday, next Wednesday, finally HOME with her FOREVER FAMILY!

      So what do you do after you finalize an adoption?  Well, you go to your dance class (where the  teacher already knows because Stephanie has put it on Facebook), then you come home and decorate a gingerbread house,

                    and have tacos for dinner with banana splits for dessert!

                                 WELCOME HOME FOREVER, ALANNA BANANA!

Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

22 Years ago, Stephanie Jennifer let the world know she had arrived, and life as we knew it would never be the same! That is a good thing! We love you Steph!

GIVING THANKS

We are THANKFUL for plenty of food.

We are THANKFUL for a table full of family.

We are THANKFUL for entertaining conversation.

We are THANKFUL for sharing.

We are THANKFUL for surprises.

We are THANKFUL for full stomachs.

We are THANKFUL for Mom's camera (sometimes).

We are THANKFUL for card games.

We are THANKFUL for our furry friends.

We are THANKFUL for a warm, happy home.

We pray that we never forget where it all comes from!

 Psalm 100:3-5 (The Message)

 ³ Know this: God is God, and God, God.
      He made us; we didn't make him.
      We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

 ⁴ Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
      Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
      Thank him. Worship him.

 ⁵ For God is sheer beauty,
      all-generous in love,
      loyal always and ever.

Snow Days!