Our First Christmas as a family of 6!

Too Much Christmas

Lia by the tree

My New Suitcase

All the Grandkids

Santa Lia

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family. The most memorable part was when Lia started singing "Happy Birthday, dear Jesus....." It was very emotional for me as I kept thinking about what a wonderful blessing we have this year and how far Lia has come since we brought her home.

Lia was so amazed at all the presents and was even a little overwhelmed at times. There was one point where we gave her another gift and she said she was too tired to open it. Imagine that - too tired to open a present! Our kids, as always, got too many presents. We always try to cut back but it never seems to happen. Our big family gift was a Wii. They were all surprised as they didn't even really ask for one. Maybe that was because every time they have asked for one in the past we quickly would say "No way - you already have a PS2" Needless to say they were shocked and thrilled to get it. It has been going nonstop since they opened it.

It is a little sad to see the holidays come and go - it seems to happen so quickly. We hope it was as wonderful for everyone else as it was for us!

Love,
Colleen

More Christmas Pictures

Merry Christmas

Our family would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. This year will be extra special for us as we will be able to spend it with our daughter, Lia. It is her first Christmas and boy is she excited. I really think she "gets it". Last night she was singing "Happy Birthday dear Jesus, Happy Birthday to You". She understands who Santa is and she is actually a little afraid that he is going to come in our house when we are sleeping, but she knows mama and baba will keep her safe. She has certainly come a long way this year and has been such a blessing and joy to our family. I will post a couple pictures of our family putting up our tree and decorating cookies, Grandma Rahe made Lia's cute apron. I'm sure I will have more pictures and maybe video in the next couple days.

Meijer Gardens and Mommy and Me

Lia and I spent Friday morning at the Meijer Gardens with our Mommy and Me group. We had a smaller group this month which was fine since the gardens were quite busy. There were over 100 Christmas trees decorated from various countries. We spent about an hour looking at the trees and then all went in the coffee shop for lunch. It is really inspiring to get together with these families and hear their adoption stories. It is amazing how God works to connect families with their children and to connect families to families. We have met so many wonderful people through Lia's adoption and have made lifelong friendships that we cherish.

Polar Express Train

On Sunday morning Charlie, Aaron, Lia and I got up bright and early and drove 1 1/2 hours to Owosso, Michigan to ride the Polar Express Train. The train is the train that the author of The Polar Express wrote the story about. They also used this train to record all the sounds of the train used in the movie. It was a lot of fun and the kids both really enjoyed it, as did Charlie and I. We rode the train North for a little over an hour and then got off the train and went into this large heated warehouse. The warehouse had Santa, a magician, a carousel, huge slide, dumbo type ride, small train ride, small train set, and food booths. All the activities were included in the train ride price and the kids could do them as many times as they wanted. Lia even went up and told Santa she wants an Elmo for Christmas (I bet she gets one too!) She wouldn't sit on his lap though, daddy had to hold her. We were there almost 2 hours. The train ride is so popular it was sold out for the season by early November, and they even added an extra passenger car to each trip. If you live in Michigan I would recommend this ride for your children. After we arrived back to the station the snow started up. Our drive home took almost twice as long as our ride there, but at least we arrived home safe and sound.

Birthday Weekend

Well this was mine and Aarons birthday weekend. My 40th birthday was Saturday and Aarons 10th birthday was Sunday. When Charlie and I were first married I always told him I wanted to be done having children when I was 30 years old. Well, Aaron was born the day after I turned 30 so I guess I was pretty close on that wish. However, I never said I didn't want any more children after I turned 30! I love you Lia. Anyway, Saturday night we were SUPPOSED to go to my parents house for an early Thanksgiving Dinner (looong story). It ended up being a surprise party for me. I did have a little idea all along that it was going to go that way, but I was still surprised and had a great time. Some friends I haven't seen in a long time showed up and it was great reconnecting to them.

On Sunday, we celebrated Aaron's birthday by taking him and a friend to Chuck E. Cheese's. He always has a good time there and he and his friend really racked up the tickets and both got a nice prize as we were leaving. I can't believe he is already 10 years old. He is such a sweet, and caring son (even though at times he makes me crazy), but I wouldn't trade his personality for the world. He always tells me he was my late 30th birthday present. Yes, Aaron, you are! I hope you had a wonderful birthday Aaron, and I enjoyed sharing the birthday weekend with you. I Love You!!

Sisters Hanging Out

Here is a video of Alyssa, Lia, and Molly (Alyssa's Friend) getting crazy together. Lia loves it when Alyssa plays with her and lately they haven't had time to play much with Alyssa's busy schedule. It was fun to watch them!

Families with Children from China Playgroup

On Friday, Nov. 14th, Janell, Abigail, Lia and I went to the FCC local playgroup called Mommy and Me. We met about 10 families from the area with girls about the same age as Abigail and Lia. We spent a few hours playing, snacking and making turkeys by tracing our hands. The girls had a great time and it was nice meeting families just like ours. Mommy and Me meets about once a month so we are planning to try to go each month.

Happy 20th Anniversary Darling!

Twenty years ago today, I walked down the aisle with the man of my dreams. I can honestly say that I am more in love with him today than I was that day. Who knew what paths our lives together would take and that we would have 3 children and then both feel "a calling" that our fourth child was waiting for us in China. I thank God every day for our family and my wonderful husband. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SWEETHEART!

I pray that we will have many more anniversaries and a lifetime of sweet memories.

Love you,
Colleen

Happy 18th Birthday Josh and Happy Halloween

Today is my first baby's 18th birthday. I still can't believe it has been 18 years since I first saw his little face. We brought him home on Nov. 2nd, 1990 and it was 70 degrees out that day - not normal Michigan weather for sure! That first night home he was a little fussy so Charlie and I slept on our bedroom floor with him between us (We had a waterbed so that would not have been good in our bed). He was a really great kid and he has grown up into a responsible, polite, loving, hard working, and intelligent young man. We are very proud of him and know he will do great things in this world and never let any grass grow under his feet. Here is a picture of him just a couple days ago wearing his favorite shirt that he has worn since 4th grade (you can see him wearing it years ago in the little apple picture).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH - WE LOVE YOU!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!

PINK...PINK...PINK... We cannot believe it - It's a GIRL! Can you tell I'm excited! My brother just called and he said those words I never thought HE would say It's a Girl! If you don't already know, my brother has 3 wonderful boys: Matthew 5 yrs.old, John 3 yrs. old and Justin 2 yrs. old and now they have a little girl....Carolyn Marie. My parents now have 5 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. Just one year ago it was 5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter - the girls are catching up. I will post a picture when I get there to see her ... hopefully tomorrow evening. Lia now has a little cousin to play with - very fun!

Another Special Delivery!!

Not quite the same kind of Special Delivery as our last one. We are awaiting the news of my new niece or nephew. My brother Kevin and his wife Kathleen are at the hospital today having their fourth child. Their other three children are sons, so we are hoping this one is going to be a daughter/niece/grandaughter. Of course, we will be thrilled with either a boy or girl. I will post as soon as we find out!

We also had a special visitor today! ABIGAIL and her mom, Janell. Janell dropped her kids off at school and had to kill a little time before an appt. so they came over to play for a little while. Lia always loves to have friends over and it was great to see Janell again. Abigail gets bigger every time I see her and she changes so much, such a little sweetie. Her and Lia play well together. Thanks for coming over Janell and Abigail - we had fun!

Special Delivery!

Lia received a package today from her friend Zoe. The box arrived on our doorstep just after lunchtime and it was addressed to Lia and Aaron. Lia was so excited so we opened the box up. There, underneath the "EWWWWW" underwear and other clothes Aaron left at the Freeby's in September was a package wrapped up for Lia's birthday. She was so excited she tore into it immediately. You can see from the pictures that loves her present! She played with it for about a half hour until I broke the news that it was naptime for her, I know MEAN MOMMY!

Zoe, Thank You so much for the dolly for Lia - she LOVES it!

Also, Liz thanks so much for sending Aaron's clothes and hat - I can't believe you kept his yucky underwear around for that long!!! You are truly wonderful friends and we can't wait to see you all again.

Beautiful Fall Day

Sunday was a lovely warm Fall day. We went outside and played in the yard. Of course, Aarons favorite is playing catch with dad. He insisted that they both put on their Notre Dame jerseys and go out and play catch. I even got in the game a little and did some blocking, however, I don't have any pictures of that - ON PURPOSE. Lia went on the swings with our neighbor Emma. Emma turned 3 in June so they are about the same age. They have fun playing together.

More Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from "The Birthday". There is also a close up picture of her dress. I have worked many hours on this dress as it was my real first attempt at sewing actual clothing. Usually I make purses or bags or doll accessories. I was pretty pleased how it came out and got many compliments at the party.

Birthday Pictures

Lia had a wonderful birthday party. Everyone came over about 6:30pm and then we did a pinata outside right away before it got dark. Lia pulled the lucky string to release the candy and then the kids went crazy. After the pinata we came back inside and had a few munchies and then opened presents. Wow, this girl got a ton a presents! After presents we had cake and ice cream, of course it was a DORA cake. My dad has never heard of Dora - well, he sure got an education last night! My parents were the last to leave and they left about 9:30pm. Those that came to the party were: Grandma and Grandpa Rahe, Grandma Irish, Aunt Rhonda, Randy, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Kathleen, Matthew, John, Justin, Aunt Leanore, Zach, and Eric. Lia was super tired but had a hard time falling asleep. It is now 8:00am the morning after and she is still zonked out. I think she has figured out that this birthday thing is pretty fun. Enjoy the pictures.

Happy Birthday Lia!!

Today is our sweet baby's 3rd birthday! She woke up nice and early this morning and keeps saying "It's my birthday!" Alyssa already gave her the present she bought her - a Dora camera - so she is having fun with that right now. We will have a family birthday party tonight for her so I will post pictures later. It's so hard to believe how far she has come since January and I know I am going to cry when we all sing "Happy Birthday" - I cry just thinking about it. She is such a joy and we all can't imagine life without her.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIA, WE LOVE YOU!

Pumpkin Hunting

We spent Saturday afternoon at a local pumpkin patch. Charlie, I, Lia and Aaron all went. We had cider and donuts and played with the bikes and in the straw barn. They also had kitties and goats and ducks and bunnies to pet and play with. Then we headed out to the pumpkin patch to pick out our prize pumpkins that Charlie will carve this year. Lia kept trying to pick up the huge pumpkins, but then settled for a little one that was "Lia's size". It was a beautiful fall warm afternoon and we had a great time.

The first picture is of Lia in her new Halloween shirt that we bought while we were visiting the Freeby's. Zoe has a matching shirt in Minnesota so we wanted to put it on here so they could see Lia wearing it.