Maxim is home!

Check out the links on the right to my photo album and a video of Ryan and his cousin Maxim. I'll actually post about meeting him sometime soon, but for now it's too late at night and I'm off to bed. Just wanted to point out that the pictures are there if you want to go check them out!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Coleson!! I love you so much and I hope you have a wonderful day!

birthday kisses

Yesterday I got the best possible birthday present ever... a kiss from Ryan!! It was the best feeling in the whole world!! We've been trying to teach him kiss off and on for awhile and last night it finally clicked. He first kissed his Daddy several times and it was so sweet to watch. Then he kissed me a few times and Grandma too. Those are the times that make everything worth it! I love being a mom and I love my baby!!

our nephew!

Yay, the waiting is finally over! I have a nephew! This is little Maxim Nikolai! His adoption was official on Monday and this is him in the car with his parents leaving the orphanage. There is still some stuff to finalize before he can come home though (passport, visa, etc), so they are living in the hotel room together for about 10 more days. He's so stinkin' cute and I just can't wait to meet him and give him a big hug. And hopefully he and Ryan will hit it off and become best of buddies! We love you Sarah and Christian and Maxim!

We think he'll fit right in with our family - he's got that same silly, hamming it up grin that Ryan does so well!

Happy Easter!

Ryan went "hunting" for eggs with Nana and Pop-Pop!

Uncle Tyler and Aunt Jennifer came for an Easter brunch.

Sea World & Magic Kingdom!

Here's our Spring Break trip pictures! There's plenty more in my online photo album too! We had a good time and we hope you enjoy looking at our pictures. We highly recommend Sea World to those of you with little guys; Ryan loved it!

Sea World! Ryan didn't really like Shamu, but the rest of the day was fun

 Checking out the Sea Lions and then taking in the Shamu show

My sister's college roommate is a trainer for Sea World so we got to go backstage and meet some of the animals! This is Lex the Lemur.

The Lego Superstore in Downtown Disney - taking in the Russia display and learning more about Ryan's cousin

Ryan was not a fan of Pluto!

The castle at the Magic Kingdom

man's best friend

Ryan and Sampson love to look at the window and spy on the neighbors! The two have become quite good buddies and are always getting into some sort of mischief together. Sampson is so good with his baby. We just wish he wasn't so protective and fond of nipping our guests. :)

Tomorrow morning we are off for Orlando, so you won't hear from us for a week. But hopefully we'll have some good stories and fun pictures to share when we get back!

it's official...

Sarah and Christian are back in Russia! Court was this morning and it's all official! They are parents and I'm an aunt! Yippee! Unfortunately we still don't know details yet - there is a 10 day "waiting" period during which appeals could be filed. But on April 13th he's allowed to leave the orphange with them and there's no going back then and they'd better tell his name and send his picture! Hooray! We're so happy for them and us and the whole family. Ryan can't wait to meet his cousin. We love you Sarah and Christian and "Napolean Boris" :)

Mickey & Shamu

Only four days until we leave for Orlando!! Hooray!! I am so excited about a week away with my two favorite guys. We've got a wonderful hotel with pools and putt-putt, two days at Sea World, and of course a day at Disney. After the month of March, I am ready for vacation!!