Hunt for the perfect Christmas Tree

We took our annual trip to Sipples a couple of weeks ago to find the perfect Christmas tree...I LOVE this family tradition and this year did not disappoint...It only took us about 20 minutes to find our tree...Greg and I usually have our annual disagreement regarding size (he always says the tree I choose will be too big in our house, I always say the one he chooses is always too tiny for our house) but this year we actually agreed and I think we both got it right...it is perfect in our house! 

Mommy and her little grump meister!

Daddy and Ella on the hunt...

Levi is less than thrilled to be outside in 30 degree weather...sorry Levi...

Here is a picture of Abbie at the same age as Levi...yes she was a chunker!

Look how much the girls have changed in 2 years (the funny thing is that they are in the SAME boots...I wish Daddy read my blog he would be so proud of my thrifty ways!!)

There she is..isn't she a beauty??

Now fast forward 3 days...and here we are finally decorating the tree...

Ella putting her Panda ornament from China on the tree...

Now I know this post should end with a picture of the finished product but for some reason I never took a picture of the tree post decorating...so I will leave you all with a picture of Abbie putting Baby Jesus in time out!  Yes...she said He was naughty and needed to go in timeout...apparently she missed that lesson in Sunday School about Jesus being perfect!  :)

Happy Gotcha Day, Ella!

Three years ago today we met our little Ella...

A very scared and sad little 2-year old girl who just wanted her old life back...

After a little while she started to warm up to our family and started to fit right in...

Sophie remained a little guarded since she did not like to share her mommy!

But they started to become "friends" and soon thereafter they  became inseparable...

And as if coming home to a new country, new house, new family..new everything wasn't enough...she helped welcome a new baby sister 6 months later...

And as in Ella style she welcomed our little Abbie with such grace...

And then of course 2 years later she was there to welcome her baby brother...

I would by lying to say it has been all good...we certainly have had our ups

And downs...

But luckily the ups have far outweighed the downs...

And as we come upon her 3rd Gotcha Day I am just overwhelmed with God's perfect plan...How on that cold winter day when Ella's birth mother layed her down in front of the orphange and walked away that He had already chosen me to mother this little angel long before the thought had even entered my mind..just amazing! Today I thank Ella's birth mother for chosing LIFE, I thank my husband for opening his heart to adoption even though it was something he never dreamed of doing, I thank Ella for loving us with all her heart...and most of all I thank GOD for His perfect plan! 

We  LOVE you, Ella!

Happy 5 months!!

We love you, Levi!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Ella!

Happy 5th Birthday to our dear little Ella!  Since birthdays are a big deal around our house Mommy took the day off so that I was able to see Ella get recognized at Morning Program and so that I could bring in cupcakes to school and help her celebrate!  After school Ella wanted to go to the Discovery Center (a fun place for children) but unfortunately we got there too late and it was closing...luckily they had an outdoor play area so Ella really wasn't that bummed out...We then went home and celebrated with presents and cupcakes...it was a great day! 

Here are some things I want to remember about Ella at this age:

• She still has a HUGE heart!
• She loves Jesus and loves to pray
• Loves her naps...and still rocks her little body back and forth to fall asleep...
• Loves "boy" toys (Spiderman, Batman, etc)...but still can be very girly!
• She is a little Wiggle Worm!
• She loves her brothers and sisters but definitely LOVES that one on one time!

Unwrapping her one gift before school (A Dora watch)

Sisters...although these two at times fight like cats and dogs they really do share an amazing bond!

I love this shot...it's Ella walking into the auditorium for Morning Program...As with all these pictures you can tell by her smile that she is just as happy as a clam~

Best of Both Worlds...Pink AND Spiderman! :)

We love you sooo much, Ella!