Forever and Forever

November 18th we went to court to finalize our adoption of Anders. It happened to be National Adoption day so local adoption agencies made it kind of a big deal. I believe 17 families were able to finalize adoptions on that day, infants and older children, pretty incredible. You spend just a few minutes in the courtroom with the judge. Our lawyer asks if we are aware and prepared to care for this child as if he was born to us. We say yes and say that we feel he is bonding well and then that's about it. Our judge was very kind and tried to talk to Maddy. It's all pretty quick. They gave the kids balloons and teddy bears, we got to choose a cake and gift bag and they took a family picture. We went out to breakfast and then just went back to normal life. It's funny because it matters and feels good to have everything legal but it doesn't change how we feel.

Last weekend we got to seal Anders to us in the Twin Falls temple. We feel so lucky that so many of our family and friends made the journey over to Twin. Grandpa performed the sealing so it was to the point. He was a little intimidated by Anders middle name, Kamalei, he told me that he had been practicing all morning to pronounce it right and he did. I can't really describe what it feels like to be in a sealing room with these perfect little kids. Maddy was so excited to see all her Aunties and grandparents and wanted to say hi to everyone. Luckily Mana was able to chill her out long enough for Grandpa to do his work. It was freezing outside so this is the only picture we have at the temple.

Then we partied at Cafe Rio. Three Amigos of the trip. Oh to be a fly on the wall in their car.

We ate lots of treats and sat around. We do that well.

Bundled up for Halloween.

Madeleine as Jessie is the most perfect fit for this girl. It's hard not to brag about how awesome she is, cuz she is.

And this kid, who knew he likes to smile so much. Feel like we are so new at this. Had to play around with formula quite a bit, had some rough weeks. And now this is what we get everyday.

I should be asleep

I keep finding myself laptopping when I should be asleep. It's always around 10:30 when things are quiet and I go through my google reader. I'm so behind, don't even get me started on Pinterest.
But this girl is killing me lately. She is cute and sweet and so big.

This was from swim lessons tonight.

She's pretty happy with this new little guy around. Today she got him out of the swing, laid him on the couch and went scrounging in the fridge for a bottle. So nice and scary.

Just one anecdote. My mom was here when Anders was born so she stayed with Maddy while we were at the hospital. The first evening Maddy and grandma came to visit at the hospital then went home to go to bed. Maddy cried the whole way home and then while my mom was getting her teeth brushed and jammies on. At one point Maddy stopped crying and said "Why is she crying? She misses her mama, huh?" Kills me everytime I think about it. She was lucky to have grandma around to kiss her and sing her songs till she fell asleep that night.

Trying to take full advantage of our one month free trial of netflix and the fact that I can really only watch shows in the middle of the day or night. One more season of FNL to go, and I watched Felicity every afternoon during nap time. I never watched it back in the 90's. I hated the last episode, it ruined the whole show for me. Felicity ends up being mean and self-centered. And Noel is whiny.

Bear

This is Bear taking a time out. Bear speaks for Maddy, he cries when Maddy needs attention, he drinks his bottle when Anders is eating, he hits other toys and gets in trouble, he takes naps and likes to watch movies and eat cereal. Last week at church Maddy brought kitty cat instead of Bear, four different people asked where Bear was.

I haven't watched any of the new Parenthood, I'm 5 weeks behind in Project Runway, I missed The Office and New Girl. And my productivity is absolutely measured in the TV shows I'm able to watch.

But look at this kid?!?

We did manage to finish season 4 of Friday Night Lights. I think it's the best season. Saracen buries his dad, Vince has to sell his soul to save his mom. And Tim, oh Tim.

Anders Kamalei

Anders was born on August 29th at 3:07 am. We were at the hospital and heard his first cry. We are a little bit in awe of his birth mother, he weighed 9 lbs 5 oz.

Maddy is still a little dazed but we've been home for 24 hours now and she asks to hold him more and more.

He is perfect and sweet and we love him like crazy.

2nd Annual San Diego trip

This is the epitome of life at Mana's. Swimsuit on & a nice coke waiting to be enjoyed.


We all headed to San Diego on July 12th. Adam got to surf several times including Baja Malibu. Maddy and I got our tan on swimming in the pool. We made just two beachtrips, one mall trip, one Target trip, two half gallons of chocolate malted crunch were consumed. Pretty mellow for us this year!

We also squeezed in a birthday party/baby shower with the family.

Adam's Triathlons

I've lost track of how many races Adam has done this year. The Boise Half Ironman, the Boise & Burley Spudman Olympic distance, Emmett's Most Excellent Triathlon maybe one more in Burley in September.

Anyway, he's awesome. The Burley Spudman he got first in his age group. The Emmett he got 8th place OVERALL. He beat his Ironman time from last year by 50 minutes. Every goal he set he has at least met, usually exceeded. He's got the bug and it's really fun to watch.

I know this post sounds like I'm bragging (which I am) but he put a ton of time into his training, a lot of early, early mornings and coaching sessions and special gear. Plus it's been a great way to stay busy and not miss the surf. ha

Summer

Started with Snow Girls reunion in Layton, Ut and then Grandma Eunice's funeral and finally we made it to our Pinedale, WY destination.

Reunion was perfect, Natalie Jensen was the perfect hostess withan awesome backyard. It is so crazy to see the girls you did a lot of stupid things with grow up and be in charge of all these kids we had around. I don't have any pictures, awesome.

The cool thing about funerals of grandparents is getting to hear about their life. The life they had way before I knew them. It's also pretty incredible to hear family friends talk about how much they loved her.

Pinedale. Maddy kept hitting John and missed all her Toy Story toys. Sarah and I watched lots of silly/good TV. (Hello Melissa & Joey fans!)We made it to the lake, we played with a brand new mini horse andwatched Jake feed thecalf, Cody. Weate lots oflicorice and chips and salsa. Perfect right?

Whatever...

We did celebrate birthdays last month, I'm just a lazy uploader and what good is a post without a picture?

Maddy woke up to balloons all over the house and ALL her Toy Story friends offering treats.

I wish this was her birthday cake picture but I don't have any (need to get Mana's camera). Maddy got annoyed with her fingers getting so sticky from the oreo filled cupcake that was delivered to our house so she stopped using her fingers.

And I threw myself a little luncheon, can't beat chips and salsa on your birthday. Here everyone is trying to complete a quiz about me.

I was born on Super _________ Sunday.

What year was I born?

My MAJOR celebrity crush is ______________________.

How many brothers and sisters do I have?

In which state was I born?

When I was born the doctor said, “Mama’s been eating too many_________________”.

What College did I attend?

What bug scares me so bad I will cry?

My favorite breakfast is _____________________________.

Where did I work for my first job?

I went to State in what Track event?

What one TV show do I ALWAYS watch?

I have _________ pairs of shoes.

IF I could have anything for dessert or a treat what would it be?

Home on the range