2010 Catch-Up Part 2

Apple picking at Applewood Farm

Maelyn and Katelyn

BBQ with members of our travel group

First haircut!

Maelyn and Jennie

Meeting little Madison

Christmas get-together with good friends...

Wishing you all a wonderful and happy New Year!!

2010 Catch-Up Part 1

Blogging was at a minimum when we first got back from China -- we were getting to know our little miss. Here are some pictures of events that we enjoyed over the past six months and didn't make it into the blog for lack of time....just a warning, this post is a long one!

Playing in the water at Gamma's trailer

AM and Julia passing on their playground equipment...Maelyn loves it!!

At the petting farm in Stouffvillle

Watching Julia's soccer game...and Julia introducing Maelyn to her team

Checking out a fire truck at the town park

Cycling with Daddy...

Maelyn and Auntie Kara

Helping Gamma in the garden

Swimming lessons with Keri and Bennett

Fun at the zoo...

Maelyn and Kristie at the zoo

Visiting with Aunt Beth and Mackenzie

Maelyn and Uncle John

Fun with Julia

Summer BBQ with Heidi, Al and crew, Jenn and Mike

Hanging out with Auntie Kara downtown

Swimming fun!

Summer BBQ with wonderful friends...

I just love these kids!!

Paul and Quinn

Christmas Day

We didn't know what to expect Christmas morning. Would Maelyn even notice the presents under the tree?? We figured that our morning routine would be the same, but just in case, my Dad came upstairs to capture the morning on video. I am so glad that he did -- Maelyn noticed the presents right away and dug right in!

Noticing her trampoline for the first time...

She loved it!!

It took almost all morning for Maelyn to unwrap her gifts, although we did not go overboard. She took the time to enjoy each and every gift and kept saying 'oooh' and displaying looks of shock and excitement at each gift that was opened. She also regularly said her new and most favourite word -- mine! Within seconds of opening each gift, she would point to herself and very loudly exclaim 'mine!!!' We were killing ourselves laughing -- she was staking her claim to her new treasures.

We took a break from the gift opening to enjoy a yummy full breakfast -- sausages and bacon from the butcher a highlight of our meal.

Just after lunch, Auntie Kara, Uncle Cam and Jake showed up. Maelyn, who had been napping -- but wouldn't sleep at all -- shouted out for them and that was the end of that 'nap.' We were going to change her into her Christmas dress, but then decided that she just looked too comfortable in her Christmas PJ's to bother.

Opening her gifts from Autie Kara and Uncle Cam

My Mom and Brian arrived later that afternoon and more gifts were exchanged. We ate, chatted and watched Maelyn jump on her trampoline. Then it was time for a delicious turkey dinner!

Hanging out with Jake under the table...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas Eve

I had been anticipating Christmas for months -- it is my favourite time of the year and with Maelyn now a part of our family, it is that much more exciting!

When I grew up my parents would give us our tradition gift every Christmas Eve. We were so excited about the next morning and it was so much fun to be able to start the gift opening just that much earlier. Our parents would give us an ornament with the year on it -- and this year we carried on the tradition with Maelyn.

An angel, titled 'A Gift From Heaven'

Hanging her ornament

Maelyn then opened some gifts from the Stanleys and was very, very excited about her new car. She pushed it around the house saying 'vroom' as she went.

Once Maelyn was tucked in bed, the guys started building the trampoline. I took the time to relax and enjoy a favourite Christmas movie.

When the movie was finished, I began to put Maelyn's gifts under the tree. I noticed that a few branches had fallen and started to put them back in place when the tree started to fall! I tried my best to hold onto the tree, but alas, it was to no avail. The tree fell over and all I could hear was the crashing of the ornaments as they fell off the tree. I couldn't believe that the tree had fallen over -- and on Christmas Eve!!

After about a half an hour of rearranging the branches and redecorating, the tree was finally put back together. Although Santa left me a little message...

"Jan -- Stand five feet back, Santa"

The presents were finally in place and we were ready for the big day!