One year ago, Mommy and I were enjoying our last day of no responsibility. What a difference a year makes. Sara, tommorrow is your first Gotcha Day. What a wonderful day indeed. I can't believe it has been a year. It has been way too fast. You have grown up so much. You are starting to talk, you love your sister more than anything, your sister is almost crawling and you have two great friends in Addison and Ada. It's Friday night, Mommy is out with her girlfriends, and I'm just hanging out with you two. Is there a better place to be? My life is so perfect. You two mean so much to me. I can't explain the feeling that I have when Sara is sitting next to me reading a book like a "big girl" and Aubrey is trying to crawl anywhere and everywhere.

I don't think I have missed a night of checking on you two before I go to bed. It is my favorite time of day. I love the peacefulness I see in your sleeping. You two show the innocence in life, the beauty of life, and God in our world. Looking at you two sleep, shows God's brillance.

Sara, just growing up too fast. How long will it be

before you want to hug some other boy other than

Daddy?

This might be the best picture of Nana and Aubrianna.

Sara and Aubrey's First Halloween

Yesterday was a day of first. Yesterday was Sara's first Halloween as well as Aubrey's first Halloween. You two had a bug thing going. Funny that Mommy hates bugs, yet she dresses you two up in bugs. You were the cutest two bugs ever.

Our neighborhood really does a fantastic job. We had a Halloween parade at 5:15 in which all of the kids met at the pool and had a costume contest. You both got screwed. There was some sort of inside job. Obviously you two should have won.

Sara, you really got into it. With Mr. Mike, he gave you a couple of pieces of candy, and you gave him five pieces. You're learning to share. Yeah!!!

Some families really got into it. Greg and I had a fire pit, the ballgame on the tube, and soda pop. These people had a Flintstone thing going on. Awesome.

You two love each other so much. Sara, you are the best big sister ever. Aubrey, you are the best little sister ever.

Love Daddy

Trip to Holland/Rochester

A couple of weeks ago we took a trip to see Nana and Papa and Grandma Pat and Grandpa. Lots of fun. They were all surprised by how much you are both growing up. It is amazing to see how much you both change in just a months time. Especially Aubrey. You are noticing so much now. You are also quite entertained by your big sister.

Sara, you have also begun smiling for pictures. It is now difficult to get pictures of you without you trying to smile. Cute.

Big sisters are the best? Little sisters are the best? The debate continues.

Hangin' with Greatgrandma.

and Greatgrandpa.

Happy Birthday Nana

Nana,

Sara and Aubrey miss you so much and they wanted to send you a video birthday card.

Love

Dave, Stacy, Sara, Aubrey and Axl

Chusok Holiday

A few weeks ago Mommy and I decided to join a Korean adoption group. It is a group of families who all have one thing in common. They have adopted a baby from South Korea. We know that you will live much of your life as a minority, but we think it is important for you to see other kids who look like you...even if you don't understand any of this yet. Chusok is a Korean holiday that is much like our Thanksgiving. We really did nothing tonight that had anything to do with the holiday. It is basically an excuse to get together. We went up to Neiderman Farm in which we went through a corn maze, hayride, petting zoo, and a bonfire. You had your first smore. Notice the leftovers above.

Though there are no pictures, you did meet some other Koreans. We met some families who live in Milford and Hebron, KY who have Koreans. Alex is a little boy who is 22 months old. He is a wild child who lives in Milford and Jennifer is a 3 year old who lives in Hebron. We are excited about meeting new people, but more importantly we are excited that you will experience some of your culture through this group.

Corn up close and personal

The maze was the highlight of the night.

I've done two posting in one day. I'm exhausted.
Love you both,

Daddy

Week of firsts

Girls,

This was a week of firsts. Today Mommy thought it was a good idea to give Aubrey real food for the first time. Watered down rice...yummy. You were a real champ. Mommy kept shoving food in your face and you tried to spit it out as fast as it would go in. Luckily for you, this is one step closer to ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, and steak.

Here is the real shocker. Sara didn't knock you over, punch you, bite you, or gauge out your eyes to get to the food. It was the first time that Sara was around food and she didn't beg for it. Just so you know, you will have to fight for your food as you get older. There is nothing more important to your sister than fooooooooooooood.
Last night Mommy and Daddy were watching a movie and you fell asleep. So cute. There is nothing better than seeing a baby fall asleep in your arms. I just wish the bald spot that is growing would go away.

Sara, not everything is about your sister. You had a big week as well. You are saying "no" a lot more. That is just perfect. Sara do you want to go to bed? No. Sara do you want to change your diaper? No. Sara do you want this cookie? YES!!! For the past week or so you have called your sister, Aub. But now, all of a sudden yesterday when I went to pick you up...You were saying "Aubrey Aubrey Aubrey." So cool. Although you won't say it on camera. Also this week you have been picking your Adoption book to read. Yesterday, while I was cleaning the upstairs, you grabbed your book and hopped into the rocking chair and starting reading your Adoption book. So cool. I had to grab a picture.

I love you both,

Daddy

Labor Day/Who Dey

The last couple of weeks have been busy for the two of you. As I'm writing this, I look down at your picture, I'm just amazed by how big you are both getting. Sara, you are starting to say words. Currently, you are saying, "Up, More, Dadda, Momma, Na (banana), Aub (Aubrey), help, hi, bye, book, ball, and I love you the most Dadda." Aubrey, you are rolling over...constantly, smiling, cooing, screaming, stand up, watch Sara, and wear sweet Bengals outfits. The other day, Aub was just hangin' around on the floor. This is typical. Axl must have felt alone, because he decided to lie down next to you. We grabbed a couple of pictures. This was a cool moment.

On Labor Day, the whole fam' went to Coney Island. You were within 1/4 mile of President Obama. We didn't get to see him though. Too many people and you two are way too young. It was fun to see the excitement on your face, Sara, as you rode the trains, frogs, space ships, and airplanes. You are fearless!!!

I must end this with "Things that Sara likes to dip."

Sara likes to dip hot dogs into ketchup.

Sara likes to dip hamburgers into ketchup.

Sara likes to dip potato chips into ketchup.

Sara likes to dip broccoli into ketchup.

Sara likes to dip warm, homemade, just out of the oven, delicious chocolate

chip cookies into ketchup. I don't get this one.

Finally, Sara likes to dip chips, peanut butter sandwiches, and grapes

into salsa.

Yum Yum