Waiting for the trolly

 

Ready for the museum with my buddies

 

Relaxing before the cocktail hour

 

My how things change

Growing up, my family never went on vacations. Although, my dad did have this stellar station wagon that had two seats in the way way back that faced each other. Add an aunt or two that lived in the county (we were city folk) and you have yourself a 'Bono' family vacation.

Staying in touch

It seems like just yesterday we were preparing to say good-bye to Guatemala and each other. There is definitely something magical about the people you meet through your journey to adopt. We all left Guatemala on different days to fly to different cities with our new babies promising we would always stay in touch. I am confident we will be doing this for a very very long time.

The tale of Blah Blah's tail

 

Mazlin's tasty best buddy

 


Ever since Mazlin came home she has loved her little Blah Blah. It is her security and she refuses to sleep without him/her. Over the months Dennis and I have noticed Blah Blah's tail is getting shorter and shorter. Poor Blah Blah he is being consumed by the one that loves him/her most. If she starts to move on to the arms and legs we'll incorporate a separation period and feed her a little more.

GuatSquat 2008

We are off to Chicago this weekend! When we adopted Mia it was an added bonus the friendships that were created with other adopting families. We were all in Guatemala at the same time. The year we've added 3 new babies and one on the way. The group keeps getting bigger.

A monster is created

 



Mia has been telling us when she wakes up that she wants to go to the coffee shop and get a cow milk. When she starts ordering double shot lattes, I'll worry a little more. Here she is in her favorite spot.

Sherri and Jon Claude are in St. Louis

 

The Walton family lived across the hall from me in Cleveland many moons ago and we've stayed in touch through the years. They are the best! We don't see each other to talk very much but their friendship helped me a great deal through a transitional period in my life. It was great to see them. Sherri refused to let me take her picture (nothing new) so I did the best I could. We're hoping to see them again next weekend when we travel to Chicago.

Mazlin and Emma

 

Mia's First Birthday/Spa Party!

 

Mia's friend Emma has a birthday party where PJs were mandatory. She had a great time and came back with a cute little pedicure and manicure.

 

 

They start young...

The best 29th birthday ever...

Mommy's Birthday

Happy Holidays

 


From ours to yours...

Our day ends with a stick of cheese

 

Maz and I had an afternoon together while Mia and Dennis did a few errands. I realized today how much Mazlin has become a part of our lives. I remember the transition of her arrival (not any different (I'm told) with biological children)and today I can say I feel like I've known her forever and she was always meant for our family. She is hilarious. She loves to dance. I'll try and catch it on Youtube, you just have to see it to believe it. She is definitely into music. She is beautiful to us in many different ways.

 

Maz is ready for the disco!

 

(with toothbrush in hand...)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Mia made her first birthday cake today. She was a little impatient and didn't want to wait to put the icing on---the result is a masterpiece in disguise and Dennis loved it.
Enjoy.

Mazzie in Mia's Bed

 

 

Our 1st Snow Day

 

Today was the first snow day in St. Louis. Mia loved it and it was Mazzie first time ever to see snow. Unfortunately, she is a little under the weather and couldn't play outside today.

Mr. VeggieMan

 

Mia and Emma were very creative during their playdate today!

What a difference a year makes

Today is the one year anniversary of our move to St. Louis. This time last year I opened the door to our house(wreck)for the first time to experience all the things Dennis kept telling me about. I didn't see anything because my eyes were filled with water due to the fact I knew a divorce was imminent based on the shape of the house. I did a quick walk through and then walked right out the front door. I actually didn't return to the house for about a month while it was under renovation. I don't give my husband enough credit when it comes to things like this. I would cringe every time he opened a paint can in our old house but ended up loving it once it all came together. He has amazing vision and did a wonderful job of creating a great little place for his family. Moving to Minneapolis in 2000 was one of the best things I've ever done. I remember flying into the city for work and falling in love. When I decided to move there I never imagined I would create such meaningful relationships in my life. A great deal happened to Dennis and me during our time there and I don't know if we could of made it through without the love and support of our friends. I'm happy to say that even a year later not many days go by without talking to them and I still feel connected. I was also surprised by the relationships we were able to rekindle and make new over the last year. We are lucky enough to have met some really wonderful people and reconnect with old friends in a new way. I never realized the power of history. The old friends I have give me a new perspective on myself with all the memories we have. I never thought it was important to go back until I did and I realize they were part of my life at a really memorable time and I will always have a connection with them. This city has definitely changed but somehow I feel like we have come full circle in our adventures in life and being able to show Mia the park where daddy used to drink beer before he was legal will put the icing on the cake!

Huge Spaces

Sorry for the huge space in postings. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening.

McGrath Family Tree!

 

Dennis and I had such a great time watching Mia and Mazlin decorate the tree. Okay, maybe it was a tiny bit fun for us too. It feels good to have it in the house.