Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pumpkin Patch


We finally found time to go to the pumpkin patch last weekend.
Harper was sooo excited that Kolton got to go with us!





Bria even went!










We had a nice relaxing day...

Monday, October 24, 2011

Where is Baby Xiang?


She's in Chengdu, Sichuan (hot pink) province, population of 14 million.
Harper's from Baoji, Shaanxi (teal blue) province, population of 1 million.
We met Harper in Xi'an, population of 8 million.
Chengdu & Baoji are about 415 miles apart.
Considering China has a billion people, 400+ miles, is relatively close.
We'll meet her in Chengdu & stay for about a week.
We'll spend the 2nd half of the trip in Guangzhou, Guangdong (purple) province.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

100th Homecoming

Mizzou celebrated it's 100th year of homecoming last weekend.
We started our festive weekend with house decs on Friday night.
Campus decorations have been part of Mizzou’s Homecoming since the 1930s. Themes for house “decs” run the gamut from taunts at opposing football teams to popular culture or good old-fashioned school spirit.

HO HO HO
 She liked the Christmas themed dec, although she's still afraid of Santa.
I could only get her to stand by a snowman, I promise she had fun!

Cheering with the band & cheerleaders on daddy's shoulders

M-I-Z

Z-O-U

Getting ready for the parade & big game against Iowa on Saturday morning.

Our little tiger!


The whole family getting in the Mizzou spirit with tattoos!


Tailgating with friends!

Bria & Reagan


Cheering for our home team!


Go Tigers!


Sleeping...

NOT...little faker.
It was a long day for all of us, especially with no nap for Harper.  She hung pretty good until the end of the 4th quarter, then her crankiness came out.

We stomped the Cyclones 52-17


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

School Photos

Remember the post of Harper on picture day? Remember how she practiced smiling for the camera.
Definately, not what she practiced, but still pretty cute!



CMS Primary II Class 2011
The little boy on Harper's right hand side is William, he's her boyfriend!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Visit to the Zoo

Harper's first visit to the St Louis Zoo.
If you've never been to this zoo, you have to check it out & it's free!
We had a few hours to spare after an appointment & between naptime so we headed to the zoo.
We saw elephants!

Zebras

Gorillas




This is what happens when my mom gets a hold of camera....
In her defense, the sun was shining right in her eyes....


She's my side kick for our next trip to China!




Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Birthday Photos

I think Harper had the best 3rd birthday ever!
Saturday morning, she opened up the party hats & got her party table ready.

She took a nice rest & then was ready to PARTY!


Elmo





Harper & friends







Monday at school, they had a "celebration of life" ceremony.



Harper & Jacquie


We celebrated Harper's birthday for 3 days.
She was worn out.
What a difference a year makes.
Last year, she'd been home for about 3 weeks & didn't understand what was going on.


We love you so much Harper!
Happy 3rd Birthday!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Happy Birthday Sweet Harper

My baby turned 3 yesterday!
We had an Elmo themed  party at our house with family & friends.
I don't have the photos up yet.
At Harper's school, they do a "celebration of life" on your birthday.
I sent my camera to her school today so the teacher's could take pictures of Harper & her friends recognizing her special day.

Stay tuned....

Introducing Xiang

Yes, we're going back to China!

Hu Hua Xiang
July 2, 2010
Chengdu, Sichuan, China





April 2011 ( 9 months old )

May 2011 ( 10 months old )

July 2011 ( 1 yr old )

September 2011 ( 14 months old )
Love the thick, black, jagged bangs!
What a trend setter!

We were matched through our original agency, Great Wall, in late August with Hu Hua Xiang.
Xiang was born with a heart defect & had surgery in January 2011.
Since February, she's been in a foster family
 with a mother, father & 14 yr old brother & has made a complete recovery.

We're blessed to receive quite a few photos & updates of her.
We even got a video of her taken at 10 months old.
She seems so sweet & laid back, not a little pistol like her sister.

Bria & Harper are very excited about having a baby sister.
Harper kisses her photo & says " I love my baby sister".

We haven't decided on a name, so feel free to make a suggestion.

We're very excited....