What we've been up to

For Mike's birthday we went out for lunch to a British pub and then Nicholas went ice skating. It's only the second time that he's been skating but by the end of the night he was doing really well.

Mike has hung a ton of Christmas lights on the house and I've been decorating the inside. We got our Christmas tree today and hopefully we'll get to decorate it tonight. I just love pulling out my ornaments and remembering when I got each one. I have a hodge-podge of ornaments that I've picked up when I travel.

We went to have a photo taken with Santa. Nicholas took a great photo - but Emma was a bit upset. She had been asleep the entire drive down the hill and we woke her a few minutes before meeting Santa. We did learn we've got a lot to teach Nicholas... Santa asked him if he could name all the reindeer. Nicholas said no and looked at Santa completely confused. Santa then asked if he knew what type of animals pulled Santa's sleigh. Nicholas said "Yes - ELK !". He is a true Colorado boy! :o) We need to teach him about reindeer though...

Last weekend Nicholas' boy scout den was in the Christmas parade. Mike and Nicholas helped decorate the float and then Nicholas walked behind it so he could pass out candy to the kids watching the parade. He had a great time!

After the parade Nicholas went to his first sleep-over party. I think he was a little nervous and we kept telling him how much fun he would have - but if he wanted to call us or come home he should. The phone rang at 11pm and we thought we'd be picking him up...but...it was Nicholas calling to tell us what a great time he was having! Then on Sunday he went with one friend to the Broncos game. Wow - and our adoption classes told us to avoid over-stimulation for the first year... Thank goodness we are nearing our first year anniversary! :o) Mike and I laughed that we've still not been to a Broncos game. Nicholas has been in CO for one year and he gets to go to a game....so we figured Emma would be going next week...! ;o)

I've had fun watching Emma's changing expressions. One afternoon I just sat with her and took a million photos until she got tired (and I even took some of her getting grumpy with me!.

This past weekend Emma had her first real smile. I've not been able to get it on camera yet - but I'll keep trying!!



Congratulations to my cousins Emily and John on the birth of their daughter, Mary Ruth!! She is precious and was born with the most beautiful long hair!

And congratulations to Mike....last night he started the snowmobile that he's been re-building for over a year. He bought two snowmobiles for next to nothing and got the first one working in no time. The second one needed a complete new engine rebuild, new handlebars, new fuel line, total rewiring, and I'm sure other things replaced. Basically he's got a brand new snowmobile now! :o)