Easter dinner with some new friends

I am not sure how many people really even look at my blog, and that is okay! I don't usually have much time to write on here anyway. I wanted to write this down so that I can always remember it. However, tonight one of the coolest nights I have had in a long time. For the past several months (since school began) we have had the fun opportunity to take 4 kind Chinese ladies to the store for their grocery shopping. We have taken them quite often. They are teaching in the high school, middle school, and two of the elementary schools here. Both Seth and Spencer have them for teachers. Well...two of them. So we take them shopping because they don't have cars, and there really isn't a public transportation system here at all. It is a lot of fun. They have taught Seth and Spencer more Chinese games, what kids do their age in China, etc. We invited them over to our house today for dinner. We decided to give them a traditional Easter dinner. Then we painted Easter eggs with them. We talked about where they are from, and where Charlotte is from. It was great. They loved loved to play with Maggie and Charlotte. Maggie was absolutely enjoying the attention. 3 of the 4 teachers left their 1 or 2 year old kids (2 had a girl one had a boy) and husbands to come here to teach Chinese and it has been hard for them to leave their babies. I talk to one of the teachers more often about kids, and she misses her daughter incredibly. They are so dedicated to be here and to teach the kids here. I really admire them and think they are wonderful people. I found out that Chinese culture is different than Japanese or even my culture. They are not afraid to ask any question, and are very open about everything. Maggie was having a blast dancing and talking up a storm with them. I felt so happy to have them come. I really enjoyed the night tonight. I have really enjoyed the time I have had to be with them and help them to do some shopping. I am so happy to have adopted a daughter with that same wonderful culture as these fine women have. Did I mention their English names? Crystal, Sherry, Grace, and Kathy.

Seth is in a play

I have missed a few months...and don't plan on catching up! There has been way too much go on to write a post for everything. Because of that I will just start from here. Yesterday our Stake for church put together a "play-in-a-day" for the youth in the ward to put on. They spent the whole day and putting costumes together, painting and practicing for their play. Thursday night each ward was given a theme for their play and a Disney movie to base it on. Our ward got Beauty and the Beast, and the theme of keeping the Sabbath day holy. Everyone got the same kind of thing for them but various other movies and different themes. Everyone also had to incorporate a light saber in the play also then Sat night they put it on for everyone to come and watch. It was a blast! Maggie loved the fact that they had a Dorothy and Glinda in one wards play. She met them after and thought they were real. Seth was in the play. We were a little late in dropping him off on Sat. He came for lunch then stayed until the end. We had a friend in a robotics competition we wanted to support that morning. (That was awesome too by the way). Anyway, someone in our ward video recorded it and put the video of our wards play on you tube. I wanted to share the link with you. It is great! All the deacons are the kids with white shirts and ties, so Seth is one of those kids. I hope you enjoy the video, we loved it. Seth wishes he could do it again. He had a great time helping to get it together and being in the play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JFL7pKwyn4&feature=youtu.be

Charlotte's 2nd birthday and first with us

1 year ago on Charlotte's birthday we got a phone call in the morning from our adoption agency telling us of a little girl that we had been match with. The lady (her name is Judy) said, oh look today is her birthday! That is really special. I don't think I have seen that too many times before, getting matched on the baby's birthday. We saw her pictures and now, 1 year later we are celebrating her 2nd birthday and her first with us. Since Maggie's birthday was only 1 week before, she got the idea of opening gifts down pretty good. She liked that.

We ate spaghetti for dinner since she like those noodles a lot! She had a yellow cake that we made into a flower. She ate a ton of it. She has a major sweet tooth! Our kind neighbor gave us hand me downs from their daughter so we acquired another stroller, which we really needed to settle fights. She still isn't talking much, but she is trying harder now. She is a ton of energy and loves everything Maggie loves. She follows every move Maggie makes and tries all the same screams. Charlotte's favorite are shoes. If we can't find our shoes we know she has been wearing them around. She loves to eat food too. The sweeter the better for her.

Maggie's 3rd Birthday

Maggie for her birthday wanted to go to the "mall" and go swimming with Santa. She wanted to know if Santa had a swimming suit. We said yes, not to worry about that detail. The boys didn't have school on her birthday since it falls during the Thanksgiving week, so when she woke up they wanted her to open up her presents. I tried to persuade them to wait for dad but...they won. She opened everything. She loved it all. For dinner we had chicken nuggets (at her request) and made her a lemon cake with pink frosting with princesses all over the top. Yes, we took her swimming! She loves swimming. The next morning when she woke up she said so am I two again? She is quite the funny kid. She loves loves to dress up and loves to play with her babies. She loves books with babies or princesses in it. I can't believe that she is 3! She starts sunbeams in January! She is now the same height as most other 3 year old kids. She was always so much smaller than the others. She still only weighs 25 lbs., but she is growing!

Halloween 2011

This Halloween we tried to get everyone on board for the Wizard of Oz theme. I made costumes for Maggie to be Glinda the good witch and Charlotte who was Dorothy, (no dog though). Derek was the scarecrow, Derek's mom was the Lion, and I was the bad witch. Seth was Beaker again as well as "the Doctor" from Dr. Who. Spencer was Harry Potter. It was a lot of fun. I took the Spencer out for trick or treating and just happened upon Seth with his friend Jacob. Spencer wanted to run around with them so I followed too. His friend only had bare feet for his costume. We went around for almost 2 hours. They are pretty funny boys. Lots of clever comments! They called Seth's friend their own hurt hobbit. Here is a picture from the ward trunk-or-treat night. Also of the "BIG" Dorothy with the girls from Derek's work. Maggie was so excited to see that the 4th floor of Dad's work had decorated as the wizard of oz! She loves it there. One funny thing, Charlotte is terrified of animals. So when Grandma put on her makeup as a lion and puffed out her hair, then growled, Charlotte was pretty scared of her. Then when we got to the trunk-or-treat, it took like 2 cars for her to get into it and she wasn't afraid of anyone. She only wanted that candy in her basket! She pulled Grandma to every car after that!

Spencer soccer and Seth Cross Country

Seth is doing Cross Country again. He really likes it! He is doing great too. Spencer is playing soccer and loves it too. He is always cheering on the team. He loves to tell all the kids after good job after the game as well as during the game. He is very enthusiastic about the game. He is wearing the red shorts. He was goalie once and was stretching and doing push ups before that ball came. It was lots of fun to watch.

Spencer's new glasses and the first day of school

So I posted how Spencer has glasses now and how they look so good on him. I finally got the pictures downloaded, so here is a picture of Spencer on the first day of school with his new glasses!

Here is Seth's first day of school also. I got it right as he was going to run out the door for the bus.

Fun summer pictures

Firehouse museum with the cool cousins

Way to go Bobcat cub scout!

By boulder falls after the father-son (FATSO is what they call it) campout. Our friends even let us ride their ATV's, lots of marshmellows, saw saturn's rings through a telescope, great food, yearly throw rocks down the hole with the big car at the bottom. After a week of summer camp, our oldest wasn't up for it - he back packed 15+ miles, slept in his own tree shelter one night (wilderness survival), and roughed it.

Up boulder canyon, near falls, FATSO campout

More summer pictures

Just after sealing Charlotte to our family forever. Sacred and we'll always remember.

Charlotte touching the Salt Lake Temple. Big smile!

Maggie was so exited to see and touch the Salt Lake temple.

Family and extended family visit to Temple Square and the Christus statue of our Savior. I always feel his love here.

More summer shots

Lighting fireworks with the neighbors. Reminded us of the fun times in our old neighborhood shooting off fireworks every year with our next door neighbors.

Aquarium

The girls' favorite aunt!

Summer images

Nature Hike

Boondocks with the boys

Royal Gorge Railway train ride with grandparents and aunt

Sisters enjoying the train ride

Summing up the summer

So I thought I would sum up the summer since there is no possible way to be really detailed this late in the game. It was a interesting summer. I think we are all still adjusting to each other around here. There were lots of hot days where we stayed inside. I was only brave once to take the fam out swimming by myself. Bad idea. Maggie wants to jump in and Charlotte was still to clingy so I couldn't do both of them the same time. So, we only went when Derek could come along. I bought an outside swimming pool for the girls to play in. they loved that. Maggie had ear infections one after another since last Oct. So she finally got tubes in her ears in June. I wondered if her personality would change at all. She loves to scream and be dramatic. She is very energetic also. She keeps me on my toes. Well after the tubes, she was less irritable, but pretty much just as dramatic. I think it is her. She says the funniest things. When we were having Charlotte sealed to us she was soooooo excited to go to the temple. She talked daily several times a day about going. She was going to get married. My mom and I made the girls dresses. White ones. When we talked about it she would tell me "oh mom, you got married? In the Temple? Good job mom!!!" or "I am going to get married in the temple to dad". Lots of these comments. It made me smile. We went to the Temple before she had tubes so she had an ear infection at the time too, but she did really great! She rode down with my parents and kept complaining that they missed the temple to turn around! She got there and made the comment to my mom and Derek that she is getting married that day and Derek replied "Oh no your not yet! You need to wait!" We laughed. Her little personality is shinning through more and more. She is very much into things also and loves to blame it on Charlotte. I have had to put all kinds of locks all over the house because those two get into both brothers rooms, wreak everything, rip stuff off the wall. They color on the walls, pull everything out of every cupboard in the kitchen, pull the chairs around and climb up on everything including the stove. they love to play in toilets, and rip up books too. Maggie says come on Charlotte come with me and then it is silent for a min. We know there is trouble brewing. Then Maggie says," it is Charlotte!" Crazy. We have had lots of learning experiences with those two. I guess that is what happens when you get two kids that close together in age. I have to put that Maggie wants to wear a "gress" (a dress) every single day. Charlotte is doing pretty good. I can't believe how much she has grown up since we came home with her last April. Her feet have gone from a size 3 to a 5 or 6 depends on the shoes. She tries to say mom and I think actually maybe means it to me now. She cuddles with me sometimes too. She mainly wants to do everything Maggie does and to also wrestle with Seth and Spencer. Spencer loves to have her to wrestle with. Maggie hates it. She has to really be in the mood for that. Charlotte it taking Speech now through our county. We found out how we thought she was this great eater, but actually she wasn't chewing the food, she was sucking it. After just like 2 times with the speech therapist here, (she also knows sign lang. and is a feeding therapist too). She chews her food pretty good! I noticed something was up in July and started to give her baby food from a jar or our table food blended up. and less of the cut up table food. She seemed to have less issues with hunger after that. Her hair is slowly growing in, and it looks awesome when she goes down a slide. It literally stands straight up all over her head. She has a way cute laugh too. Like a "ha ha ha ha" the exact sounds of those words. She knows now almost 10 signs just since the first part of September. She catches on to things very quickly. Smart. Having Charlotte sealed to us was a neat experience, even though she screamed the entire time. It was the absolute shortest sealing I have ever heard. (not like I have heard too many). The sealer had me hold her to try to help with her to not scream but she still did. He was super fast. My favorite part was standing with our family of 6 and looking in the mirror and seeing forever. It brought tears to my eyes. Our family is now complete, We are forever! It was neat that Seth and Spencer and Maggie could come in with us. My cousin who lives here and his wife came, and one of my brothers and wife, and my parents too. Summer started with Seth camping with the scouts several times. He went in July on a week long backpacking trip where he backpacked for over 15 miles. Two kids were throwing up while they were hiking too! Amazing troopers! He came home with lots of stories to tell and for a while didn't want to leave the house because he was gone from it too long he said. He was also thankful for cotton clothes. He had to wear everything polyester to help with the sweat and such. The people here are quite serious about their hiking and camping. He completed a lot of merit badges and doing great. Seth is in 7th grade this year and is running Cross Country again. Spencer had his first ever cub scout day camp. I got to be a helper for one of the days. There were like 10 kids there from our ward. He had a blast! They had it in doors except for like 3 things. The indoors was air conditioned and very clean. It was much nicer than our previous day camp experiences with Seth. He was able to shoot a bb gun and a bow and arrow a couple of times. I think those were the favorite for all the boys. He wanted to go camping so bad while Seth was gone, so he went with his dad for a night. He really enjoyed it. Spencer also had swimming everyday, except for the weekends. He is quite the swimmer. By the time Aug rolled around he told me he is ready for something new. He is now taking Soccer. Spencer has glasses now. They look great on him! He is in the 3rd grade now. Some friends that were traveling through came and stayed with us. That was great fun. We always welcome visitors! Derek's parents came to visit and we went to ride a train also. Not a little Thomas train ride, but a 2 hour ride. It was awesome! We loved it! We made home made ice cream! Lets end there for now.

Spencer party and baptism

I haven't been too busy or anything to update our blog...just incredibly busy! Life is an ongoing adjustment. To start off where the blog ends, Spencer had a great birthday party. He invited a couple of friends over and we had a swim party. He really wanted to go rock climbing, but that didn't work out. (we forgot about permission slips. Ooops!) He on the way home helped two of his friends settle a disagreement and let them both know that he liked them both and that he wanted them to get along and just be kind to eachother so that they could all be friends. As I was driving and hearing this conversation, I tried not to interupt but to see how it would turn out. Everything turned out great. Spencer has a big huge heart. Even though he may tease like no ones business, he can sure help his friends and others know that he still loves them and cares about them and set everything right. What a great talent! Spencer a week later was baptized by his dad! He has been waiting for years for this, ever since Seth was. He is not that serious of a kid, he loves to laugh and have fun, but he made sure that the speakers (his Uncle Ryan and Grandpa Murri) and Brother Christensen (his adult best friend he told us) know that it was a serious event.

Spencer turns 8

On Monday Spencer turns 8! I remember the day he was born. In the morning before Derek went to work my water broke. We told Seth that his little brother was coming today and Seth looked up and said, no...he isn't. We said yes, I think he is! Seth was persistent that he wasn't. Funny kid! Spencer did come about 5 hours later. He was 19inches long and 5lbs. 13oz. He started to smile and laugh at my parents house when they lived in Houston. Grandpa did the trick when he was 2.5 months old. He has been smiling ever since. Spencer has a big heart and though he loves to tease, he has a heart of gold. He loves to help others and just yesterday at his party, a couple of his friends weren't getting a long in the car, Spencer spoke up and made everyone feel so much better by some kind words and honesty. He is a great kid and so much fun to have around. We love him!

Both asleep in the cow seats - cow girls

It's nice to have both girls fall asleep when they need a nap. Little sis seems to fall asleep a lot in the car. Hurrah!!! Gotta luv it! Big sis transfers to her bed pretty well, but little sis is transfer challenged. :( We just let them sleep it off in the van while we were hanging around in the garage, front yard... :)

More Seth's Jump Street party

Jump Street Birthday party

Happy Birthday to Seth

Seth turns 12 today!
I can't believe that he has grown up that much so far! He is such a great kid! He is an amazing help with his brother and sisters, babysits for me a whole lot!
He does great in school and works hard at learning all he is interested in. He has been working hard in scouts as well and has his 1st class already! We love Seth and want to wish him a great birthday! I put up some pictures when we have a little party for him!

Travel approval

HI!
Today we got our Travel Approval! We have two possible days of travel to China to pick up Charlotte!
April 15-30 (that's next friday!)
or April 20-May 3 or 4th!
We are totally excited!
We have to wait to hear from the Consulate to find the date that is set for sure!
Yeah!!!

the babe hair

Maggie has what we call "fuzzy hair" or "the wall" in the morning. We all love to see what it will look like each morning!

Our Article 5

We got our next step in paper work! Our Article 5, the final immigration paperwork before we travel! Now we are waiting for our Travel Approval and then we set the dates with the Consulate in China and then travel to pick Charlotte up! We are closer!
We started a new blog about our adoption journey to adoption. Check it out!
http://springdaughterfromchina.blogspot.com/

our paper work

We are one step closer to going to China. I can't believe all the paper work! Just when I thought, there couldn't be anymore, wham...more.
We got our provisional approval of our I-800A, that doesn't mean much to anyone, except us!

Spencer's Prayer

Tonight Spencer said the funniest prayer. I love to hear what my kids pray about. Spencer is concerned right now I guess with aliens. He prayed to say thank you that there are no UFO's and no aliens out there for real. I love it!
He also prayed for those that were bitten from sharks that they would be happy and get better soon, I wonder why he is thinking of that?
Also, he is thankful for Thanksgiving, that the Pilgrims survived the winter.
I seriously love it! I love my kids.

Skiing

This past weekend the weather was so beautiful in the 60's! Big contrast to now where it is a balmy -2 yesterday with wind chills in the -20's and today the same.
Anyway, D took the boys up to the mountains for skiing. Seth has taken ski lessons already so this was his 2nd time and Spencer's first time. They had so much fun. Spencer took to skiing like a maniac! He loved it. He was going up and down the beginner lift by himself and falling and getting back up and doing it all over again. He fell off the lift once, good thing it was at the end and wasn't far off the ground!
Seth was cautious and enjoyed himself. He is excited for the next time when he can go up a real lift and ski down a new trail. Spencer is excited also. I thought that next time, either I need to find someone to watch Maggie and go or Derek needs to go separately with the boys. Spencer will speed down the hill which he has already demonstrated he will do, and Seth will go down safely. They do not go the same speed down the hill.
I am glad that it was good weather for them and that they had so much fun!

The newest girl coming to our house

Hi!
We are finally able to put up a picture of our new baby girl! We are adopting a cute 1 year old from China. She is from the city of Anyang, in the providance of Henan. We are 90% sure of naming her Charlotte Chunyi Anderson. Her name that that she had be given by the nannies at her orphanage is An Chun Yi. It means spring is in the air. She was born Dec 1, 2009! We are hoping to travel to pick her up in March or April.