Spring and Summer 2008

Hula-Hooping Fun Ella is very excited to meet Scooby-Doo
That Swiper Sweeper Ride is Hilarious
Mommy, Daddy and Ella
Shaking Hands with the Manatees

Ella's Trip to Newport Aquarium-Visiting the Jellyfish Mother's Day Tea with Mommy
Ella's First Movie- Curious George
All Smiles!
Riding on the Carousel at the Zoo

Gotcha Day Anniversary!

We are at our one-year anniversary of the day we got Ella in China- Gotcha Day. Time has flown by and we can't believe how much she is thriving, growing and changing every day. Our lives have been so blessed and we thank God every day for bringing us to Ella. Below are some updated pictures from the last three months.

Chinese New Year 2008

We enjoyed attending our local Families with Children From China's annual Chinese New Year celebration. This is the Year of the Rat on the Chinese Zodiac. Ella was born under the Year of the Rooster, I was born in the Year of the Tiger and Keith in the Year of the Rabbit.

There was lots of good food, friends, Chinese dance, crafts and a visit from the Wittenberg Dragon Team. Below is a picture of Ella and her friend Micah. They were in the same orphanage in China and ended up living within 45 minutes of each other in Ohio. It really is a small world!

Happy Birthday Ella!

Ella has a very small, CareBears-themed party for her second birthday. On her actual birthday, we asked her where she wanted to eat and she said, "Bob E", which is Ellaspeak for Bob Evans. I can't believe that she is two now.

Blowing out the candles with Daddy and Gramps.

Celebrating with her cousins and riding her new horse.

Christmas Fun

Ella had a fun time at Christmas this year! I am sure a welcome change from spending Christmas in an orphanage.

She was very happy to pose with her presents in front of the tree at Grandma and Papaw's house. She also enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner by candlelight.

Waiting For Santa and Feeding the Reindeer........

Happy with her presents!!!!

O' Christmas Tree

Ella really liked looking at the Christmas tree and was very good about not touching the ornaments, packages or shaking the tree.

It's Santa!!!

Well, we went to visit Santa twice and both times Ella became just a tad bit upset about sitting on his lap. She liked talking about Santa and calls him "Ho-Ho", but did not feel the need to get too close to him. However, in needing the obligatory "crying on Santa's lap" pictures for scrapbooking, I made her go ahead and do it.