Sentences!

My Mom came over today to help watch the kids while I worked at Allen's office. she heard a crash and the next thing she knew, Kassy came running to her with a broken CD jewel case. Kassy said, "I boke it!" Mom said, "that belongs to your mom; you better put it back where you found it." Kassy replied, "awright." and went back out to the kitchen to put it on the counter where she found it. There never has been much debate about whether she understood but we were telling her- we know she knows-but I'm so glad that WE can understand her too. Her little voice is incredibly sweet!

Hi! Hi! Hi!

Kassy spent part of this morning and all of the afternoon after her nap outside with Daddy and Grandpa. She got to help haul soybeans to the elevator in the truck and help combine. each time she came back into the house she called out, "HI! HI! HI!" Tonight when she came in she was so excited to tell us about what she has been doing. She came in talking and yell her hi hi hi and talking very fast. We really have no idea what she was talking about but she was so animated excited and jumping up and down then I have no doubt it was very important to her to share it with Mom and me. Her language skills have improved very much as far as speaking english, but she still prefers speaking in her on Kassy language most of the time. She definitely has something to say though and I love listening to her even if I can't understand.

Overnight Visits

Happy Birthday, David!

Birthday 2011 started early--October 5th! We had lunch with my nephew, J, at his school and then went to MSJC's house for playtime and party. Mom brought cake, balloons, and clown clothes for the kids to wear and play with. Kassy's favorite was the horn! The big boys got their faces painted. C conked out for his nap before cake-time, but the other three kids all blew out the candles on the birthday cake.

Grandma, Kassy, David, and Cousin J

The next birthday party was with Cousin C. The boys are only a year apart, and it's fun to celebrate together. The cake had Spider Man on half (for C) and a dump truck and excavator on the other half, for David. David loves frosting and even better than that, he was able to use the excavator to eat the "dirt" frosting on the cake!

Grandma, C, David and Aunt G's hand

Today was the big day! David and I ordered "monster cookies" from HyVee while Daddy and Kassy waited in the Expedition. Next stop was at Great Clips to get David's hair cut. His birthmom met us there and then we walked a short way to CiCi's Pizza for lunch. S had presents for both kids--a remote controlled "log loader" for David and a Mrs. Potato Head for Kassy. We had a nice lunch (mac and cheese pizza is quite yummy!). Next we went to the Washington Pavillion. There is so much to see! It's nice to go places with the kids that are meant for kids--it's okay to touch everything!

David and his terrific birthparents. Who does he look liked?

Kids had short naps on the way back to HyVee to get David's birthday cookies. Then we checked into the hotel and dressed for fun! David had been asking just about every day if we could go swimming, so this was something we had been looking forward too. Both S and N, David's birthparents, came as well as all four Sioux Falls Grandparents, Aunt T, and Great Grandma M. We ordered pizza from Pizza Hut and had ice cream and monster cookies. And don't forget presents!

My precious babies and their adorable daddy :)

We had a pretty good night too--sleeping in a different place, of course. Allen and I had a king bed and the kids shared the sofa-bed. We had breakfast and even made it back to Brookings in time for church. WHEW!

In addition to all of that fun, David also took cookies to preschool for his birthday treats.

Happy Birthday, David! We love you!

You are a very special boy, David! S and N, your birthparents (and their parents, too) made a huge sacrifice to allow you to be our forever son. We are greatful everyday for the decision they made that made us Dad and Mom. We love you, David's birthfamily! Thank you!