Pocahontas

I forgot to add this picture with the rest of the halloween pictures and wasn't able to do an edit, but thought it was very sweet and couldn't resist putting it in anyways. Taiya was Pocahontas this year....she seemed to know exactly what she was doing (running from house to house), saying trick or treat, thank-you, bye bye, and was insistent on carrying her bag by herself even when it was full and heavy.

Happy Halloween 2006

Our cowboy!
The kids checking out their loot!

Taiya's got the prize treat, and running as fast as she can to keep it in her hands.

Preping for Halloween '06

I'm not sure who had more fun, the big kids or the little kids. We even got Manuela and a friend of hers, to join in on the pumpkin carving. Can't wait until it's costume night! (Sorry about the double print on one of the photo's...I don't really know what happened there).

1 Year Victoria Yangxi Sister Celebration

Mom's and their girls.
Dad's and their girls.
Group photo of everyone and the cake in front.
Attempting to get a picture with the girls sitting and looking at the camera all at once (oops try again).
O.K. so they're not all sitting but they are all looking forward. Left to right: Jade, Taiya, Natalie (adopted ~ 2 mos. after our group), Deanna and Lizu. We had a fun afternoon and evening getting together with everyone. We started at a local pool where the girls and their families enjoyed some water play and then we went to a Chinese Buffet Restaurant in the area, ate some yummy cake, and had fun watching the girls as they ran around the room watching and mimicking each others' behaviours. Everyone is doing good and the girls are all flourishing and growing into little young ladies....my how time flies!

At the Pumpkin Patch

It was a beautiful fall afternoon this past weekend, so we took advantage and ventured out to hand pick our pumpkins for Halloween. In the end, we bought 3 large sized ones for carving and 2 mini pumpkins just because they were cute. We will update photo's of our carvings in a few days....see you soon ;)

Reflecting

One year ago today was my last day of work before leaving to get Taiya and bring her home to her forever family. She was dressed for the occassion in some traditional clothing, which I love so very much on her, but never seem to put on because I want to "save" them. The string in her mouth was the remains of a candy necklace, that she enjoyed finishing off while up on the counter getting her hair done.

Lil' Miss Independent and Cdn Girl

Here's Taiya trying to get dressed herself...ooops!, these shorts are a little large don't you think.
Whenever Taiya sees someone going out (like in this example Matthew), she quickly tries to put on her own shoes, trying to make sure that she won't be left out of the action. I'll definately give you an "A" for effort!
O.K. , so we made it into the garage and she decides to hop on Matthew's old bike. I think this little girl will be skipping right on past using a tricycle...besides, she can already reach the petals on this little bike. Don't worry when she really starts riding she'll be wearing a helmet.
After the bike, we went out searching for bugs...we had no luck there today, but did in fact find a few pretty special things, some Canadian Maple leaves just perfectly fitting.... for our little Canadian Girl!

Before Bedtime Pix

After 3 weeks of daycare Taiya developed a nasty skin infection in her thumb. She usually sucks it at nap and bedtime, but I guess with all the new changes she was using it more than normal as a security. She was put on oral antibiotics and an antibiotic skin cream and it required wrapping 24 hrs. per day to allow it to heal. So for memories sake we took a pictures of her cute little bandage...so far it's helped and I think we may even be breaking the habit.
Taiya like many other girls in our group loves books. Here she is running into Matthew's room hoping to get yet another book read to her.
After stories the kids had a bit of a "wrestling match", if you can call it that. It was mostly tickling... and I think you can figure who was winning this battle.

Look out Beckham...here comes Matteo

Matthew started soccer last weekend and he had a hoot. The kids looked so sweet in their uniforms and it was funny to watch as they all swarmed after the ball.

My Cuties

Pix of the kids on my birthday!