Adoption Day - November 14

These are just a few of my favorite photos from Adoption Day. There were similar National Adoption Day hearings in numerous cities all across the country. You can read more about our Adoption Day here: http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/111508/loc_356238301.shtml

Our girls were just two of 28 children adopted in Lubbock on National Adoption Day.

The girls were happy to see their foster parents, Mimi (Letha) and Ken. After living with them for over two years they hadn't seen them in nine months. We are forever grateful for the love and care they gave our girls.

It was fun to be able to do our adoption at the same time as the Wilhites. When we first met the boys two years ago we would have never imagined that we could be connected to them for life!

Here we are just moments before we officially became a family of seven. What you can't see in the photo is Wyatt trying to wrestle with Colter, Zane wiggling around and Monique throwing herself backwards out of Danny's arms!

The kids all got to adopt a stuffed animal for their own. Here they are promising to be good parents to their adopted animal.

Our first official family portrait. The judge who did the adoption is the same one who has been hearing the girls' case for the past three years. He spoke for a little bit at the reception before the adoption and said that as judges they spend most of their time separating things - husbands from wives, kids from parents, criminals from society. One of the reasons they love doing adoptions is because they are putting something together instead of taking it apart.

Harvesting Cotton - November 11

We have enjoyed watching the cotton that has been growing behind our house for the past several months. Tonight they started harvesting it and the kids went outside to watch. Life in a small town... : )

Sabrina's Special Weekend - November 7-9

Sabrina had a wonderful weekend in Lubbock. Here are some of the highlights...

She got some new pompoms and went to a football game to watch the cheerleaders.

She worked on some sewing projects with Noni.

She went to the park with Aunt Cathryn, Uncle Jerod and their dog, Millie.

And she spent an evening with Aunt Kim and Abi. It was a weekend full of activities especially for Sabrina!

"Orange" You Glad I'm Smiling! - November 9

T-shirt and Jeans - November 8

Wyatt was building towers while everyone else was napping and I just had to take a couple of pictures of him in his T-shirt and jeans. So cute!

I Love Taco Soup! - November 6

When I looked over to check on Zane while we were eating this is what I saw...I think he enjoyed his supper!

Walking Tall - November 6

Zane is walking everywhere now! He just looks like such a big boy in this picture...

Caprock Canyon - November 1-2

Danny took the kids (all but Zane, who had a fever on Friday) camping this weekend. It was just a quick overnight trip, but they had lots of fun. Danny has more pictures on his blog...

Trunk or Treat - October 31

Before going to "Trunk or Treat" at church we went by the clinic to pick up Daddy. Ms. Vicki (Danny's nurse) gave the kids some candy to get them started with their trick or treating for the evening!

The kids had lots of fun at "Trunk or Treat" - both getting candy...

and then helping give candy to other kids!

Painting Pumpkins - October 30

The kids brought pumpkins home from school and we spent some time painting them this afternoon.

I even let Zane paint a little one that we already had on the front porch. He loves painting!

Silly Kids - October 29

Zane doesn't know what to do with all of his silly siblings!

Corn Maize - October 26

One of our favorite fall traditions is going to the corn maize. The boys were excited about sharing this fun activity with their sisters.

Everyone loved riding in the wagon...

walking over the bridge...

and running through the maize...


to reach the end!

Knights and Princesses - October 25

Tonight was the fall carnival and the kids were so excited to wear their costumes. When the girls decided a few weeks ago that they wanted to be princesses, the boys quickly decided they should be knights, so that they could protect their sisters.

Picking Apples - October 23

We met Noni for a visit to the apple orchard outside of Lubbock. The kids had so much fun...
picking apples...

eating apples...

and posing for pictures!

Happy Birthday, Monique! - October 21

Monique had everything she needed for a great monkey birthday party...

monkey cupcakes...

a purple monkey balloon...

friends...

and presents!

Butterfly Catcher - October 19

Colter headed outside one day a couple weeks ago with our butterfly net and came back in with a beautiful butterfly. Since that day he has been catching butterflies every afternoon, keeping them our butterfly jar overnight and letting them go the next day only to repeat the entire process again. The funniest part is watching him stalk the butterflies through our flower garden. He is really good at sneaking up on them!

Future Cheerleader - October 17

Sabrina is our little cheerleader. She has taught herself to do cartwheels and watches the cheerleaders closely at the football games so that she can copy exactly what they do. Look at that smile!

Our Gourd Family - October 15

(left to right): Sabrina, Monique, Colter, Wyatt, Mama, Daddy and Zane

To Walk or Not to Walk! - October 12

Zane is starting to walk more these past few days. Now when he wants to go somewhere he stands up and takes a few steps before falling down. After he falls down he usually just crawls to wherever he was going. The kids love watching him walk more and are constantly cheering him on when he stands up and takes a few steps.

On the Field with Daddy - October 10

Danny was the team doctor for tonight's game, so Wyatt, Sabrina and Colter got to sit on the field with him. Sabrina love watching the cheerleaders and they all enjoyed meeting the Bobcat.

"In the Sharks" - October 10

Monique: "Help! Help! I'm in the sharks!"

Colter: "Don't worry, Monique. I'll save you!"

Colter: "There - you are safe now!"

Our Aquarium - October 7

The kids have been asking for a dog (well, everyone except Monique who is still deathly afraid of dogs!), but we just aren't quite ready yet. So Danny decided it was time for an aquarium. The kids enjoyed helping Danny pick out the plants and the fish. But their favorite thing about having an aquarium is feeding the fish!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Craig - October 6

Wyatt was visiting Noni and Papa the day of Uncle Craig's birthday and he decided that he needed to buy Uncle Craig a present. He thought Uncle Craig could use a new flashlight and after looking carefully selected the package with two flashlights. "Look Noni, one flashlight for me and one for Uncle Craig!"

Wyatt's Special Weekend - October 4-6

Wyatt had lots of fun during his special weekend at Noni and Papa's house. He especially enjoyed...

visiting the greenhouse with Papa...

fixing his own pizza for supper...

and playing with Abi.

Wyatt's First Soccer Game - October 4

Wyatt played his first soccer game today. Danny and I were both a little anxious about how he was going to do in an actual game. He tends to get pretty distracted during practice and has always struggled in social situations when he feels overwhelmed. He did a good job keeping up with the pace of the game (although near the end he yelled over to me, "Hey, Mom! How much longer?") and even managed to kick the ball a couple of times. Most importantly he had fun and can't wait for his game next week!