Wordless Wednesday

Gingerbread houses

The kids loved making gingerbread houses this year.  I think that more candy ended up in their mouth than on the actual houses- but I guess that is half the fun!

Daddy Bob gets in on the fun

Kate trying to decide if she should put a piece on her house or in her mouth

The house wins

Brett makes sure the icing tastes good

Brett decorating his roof

Mmmm this is good mom

Here- you can have one too

Ma helping out (notice Brett eating in the background)

Brett's finished house

Kate's finished house

The masterpieces

Kate's masterpiece about 10 minutes after I took the last picture

Wordless Wednesday

A visit to see Santa

We went to the Chick-fil-A Christmas party last weekend to see Santa and had a great time. Brett was so excited and talked about it the whole way up. He now thinks that Santa lives "at Daddy's work". I was so proud of him. He was a little nervous, but he walked right up to Santa, got on his lap, and told him that he wanted a BIG monster truck for Christmas. Kate, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with him- as expected. She reacted the same way Brett did last year- lots of tears. So her first picture with Santa includes Mommy and Daddy- there was no way she was letting go of me- and I certainly wasn't going to make her. Santa gave them a Chick-fil-A cow stuffed animal to take home so now any time someone asks Brett what he wants Santa to bring him for Christmas he says, "A cow"- I get some pretty strange looks from that answer.

An attempt to get a picture in front of the tree

They really do love eachother

Ma and Kate

My babies- or as Brett would correct me- my baby and my big boy

Classic!

My big boy

Brett got a balloon sword- he LOVED it

Getting his face painted. Kate wanted nothing to do with this either

My niece Kaleigh got to come with us. Brett and Kate love her and she is such a huge help to me.

Eating with Daddy (you can see the attempt the lady made to paint a wreath on her cheek)

Stacy O- this one is just for you!

Kaleigh- isn't she beautiful!

My olive lovin' boy!

Kate's first Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family this year.  Brian and I are fortunate to have both of our families close by so we don't have to travel during the holidays- and we get to see both families at each holiday.  We both have been blessed beyond measure with our families.  Of course I love spending time with my family, but I also LOVE spending time with Brian's family.  They welcomed me into their family from day one and I have felt like family ever since (And by day one I mean that Brian's uncle told him after meeting me for the first time that he was going to marry me- yes- his uncle is a wise man! :)

This year was extra special because we had Kate with us.  It is still so hard to believe that this time last year we knew nothing about her, and now she is the perfect fit into our family.  It really does feel like she has been here forever.  We are so thankful that God choose us to be her family.  We will be eternally grateful!

Making turkey cookies

Ma showing Kate how to make them (sorry for the lack of shirt!)

Brett carefully placing his turkey parts

Kate, on the other hand, went straight for the eating!

My cute girl- our friend Beth sent this dress  to Kate- isn't it the cutest thing!!

Ma, Daddy Bob, Brett, and Kate

Aunt Christy and Kate making Playdoh mustaches 

Lindsay and Cara join in on the fun

Carter and Brett

Aunt Julie and Kate (Kate LOVED Aunt Julie)

Kate meeting Mary Frances for the first time

Thankful

This one is for you, Erin!

So I have been asked to write a post about Kate's language development.  To sum it up in one word it would be amazing.  When I tell people that she has only been home for 6 weeks they are shocked.  She is quite the talker- and repeats EVERYTHING I say- so she will be caught up with her brother in no time.  She also understands just about everything I say to her- which is even more amazing.  I sometimes have to catch myself and remember that English is not her first language.  Some things that she says are:

-Hold you Mommy (I hear this A LOT)

- More please Mommy

-Milk

-Juice

-Water

-Eat

-Snack

-Pizza

-Apple

-All done Mommy

-Hello

-Bye, Bye

-Night, night

-Sit down Mommy

-Come on Mommy

-Chair

-Color- when she wants to color

-Play- when she wants to play with Playdoh

-Please

-Georgia (our dog- this was her first word)

- Nana- Brian's mom who she LOVES!!

-Ma and Daddy Bob- my parents who live on a gravel road.  The second we hit the gravel she starts saying, "Ma, Daddy Bob"

-Outside

-Down

-Dog

-Drink

-Sock

-Shoe

-Bow

-Baby

-Hurt or Boo-Boo

-Picture- which she says when she gets dressed in something she thinks is cute and she asks me to take her picture

-Football

-Open

-Car- she loves to ride in the car and laughs when I put her in her carseat!

-And I saved the best for last- what makes me crack up is when she says"No Sir Brett"- while she is pointing her finger at him, and "Brett 1,2,3" because I count so much to get him to do something.  I think she might think his name is Brett 123. :)

-She rarely says just one word.  She knows all of the above words but usually puts them together in a sentence- for example- she doesn't say "Milk", she says, "Milk please Mommy" and she almost always tells me thank you when I give her something.  Sweet girl.

-She has also started singing "Jesus loves me" with me when I rock her at nap and bedtime.  I sing it to her at least twice a day and have since we got home, but she just this week started singing with me.  She also likes to sing "Happy Birthday"- which she sings "Happy to you".  She LOVES to talk on the phone and lights up with a huge smile when I let her.  I think I might be in trouble when she is a teenager.

I will try to get a video of her talking or singing and put it on here soon.  You really would be amazed.

2 months

Two months ago today a very scared and sad little girl walked into our hotel room and became our daughter.  She grieved hard that first day, but it has been all uphill since then.  She is the happiest little girl and has filled our life with so much joy.  We can't believe that she has only been with us for two months- it feels like she has always been a part of our family.  She has transitioned without any hiccups and is the perfect addition to the Skinner family.  Brett and Kate love each other and do not want to spend any time away from each other.  If one of them wakes up before the other they constantly ask where the other one is.  It has been a joy to watch them bond.  Brett has transitioned into his role as big brother without a hiccup as well.  I am so proud of him.  He really does love her and has had very little jealousy issues.  It has gone WAY better than I could have ever hoped for.  We are so blessed.

Kate loves to be the center of attention.  When she knows that all eyes are on her she just lights up.  It is so fun to watch her.  She really is so happy.  She laughs and smiles almost all day long.  She continues to eat well and has gained 2 pounds since coming home!  She is also a wonderful sleeper and sleeps 12 hours most nights.  She loves to dance and sing.  She also loves to put on jewelry and shoes and wear purses and makes sure we don't go out of the house without a bow in her hair (that's my girl!).  We are still so amazed at how perfect she is.  God has richly blessed us with you Kate!

Happy 2 month Family Day sweet girl!  We love you!

Holding Kate for the first time.  One scared and unhappy little girl.

My girl!  Wow what a difference 2 months make!

Rock Ranch

One of my favorite places to go is the Rock Ranch.  Brian always teases me because I get so excited when we get to go.  Brett is an old pro at the Rock Ranch- but it was Kate, Ma, and Daddy Bob's first time to go.  We had a great time enjoying the perfect weather and watching the kids ride the fun rides.  Kate was hesitant to do everything at first, but warmed up quickly and loved everything.  She is doing amazing.  She is the happiest little girl and is so much fun.  We are having a blast being a family of four.

Brett showing Ma and Daddy Bob around

Riding in the cow cars

I LOVE this picture- and they LOVE eachother

Kate having the best time

Hey Ma!

Having fun in the corn house

Holding the bunny

Brett riding Cheerio- he rode Cheerio when we came in August and was so excited that he was still there

Kate riding her first horse

Daddy Bob and Brett

What a cutie

Ma and Brett

Waiting for the train to come

Brett's favorite thing of the day.  They had monster trucks there the day we went and Brett has not stopped talking about them since.  He lines up his cars and jumps over them with his monster truck- what a boy!