Enough with the pictures!

Alright, maybe one more! This is our little ham on Christmas Eve having a late night snack before opening gifts.

What is in a name

Many of you have asked where we got the name McKaden and what it means. We wish we could give you some great story, but the truth is we heard a similar name and liked it. I suppose you can say we kind of made the name up.

Now her middle name is something different and has a lot of meaning. We used the name Joy for her as it is what she brings us .. much joy. We also chose it as through the adoption process Lori was given the gift of the "Joy of the Lord". Learning what the joy of the Lord truly is was eye opening and life changing for her. We last but not least chose the name after our dear friend Elisabeth Joy. Liz is a great friend to both of us was instrumental in our meeting and marriage [along with another friend, Melissa]. We feel honored that McKaden shares the middle name Joy with Liz and pray that she grows up to bring joy to others the way that Liz has brought joy to us! The picture is of Liz and her husband JJ when they met McKaden over Christmas.

Someday I will be TALL

She loves being on Daddy's shoulders! I think it is because she wants to be taller!

A PINK Party

We were blessed with a surprise baby shower for McKaden from Mark's basketball team. Mark had fun opening gifts for McKaden, she loved having the guys in the house and Lori enjoyed the pink cake. We are blessed to be in a community that has opened its heart to this amazing little girl. We thank all the people who helped with this surprise party! Special thanks to Gracia and Dawn for the cake and decorations!!

Our anniversary

As many of you know, we celebrate everything in this family! Every year Mark and I go away to celebrate the anniversary of the day we got engaged. This year we went as a family of three!! In the future I am sure that we will leave her with family for this weekend, but this year we wanted to take her with us. We had a fun time at a resort about two hours from our house. We enjoyed the sunset against the water and mountains, we took a walk on a trail with the cold sea air blowing on our faces, decorated gingerbread cookies, visited the spa and watched GU play on TV... sounds like the perfect weekend.

My Favorite Toy

If she had her choice this would be how she would play all day long! She loves it when we push her in her "cruisers" box. So much for buying expensive Christmas gifts!

She also loves to carry around her shoes and try to walk with a ball that is TOO big for her to carry.

I'm flying

So this is what happens when I am not around to supervise! She is flying around the house and as you can see she LOVES it! Daddy has the best games!!
Small Print: This was done with the utmost safety!

Where are we going now?

I am SO pretty

McKaden has been getting beautiful handmade gifts, like this sweater from some dear people from Mark's hometown. We love this picture and we think the title sums the whole thing up.

Day in the country

McKaden put on her new jeans, that Jessa gave her, and went out to the country on Saturday. We had a great afternoon being a family and enjoying being outside. While in La Conner, we stopped at a new children's store and got these ladybug boots for her. They are a size too big but should fit in the spring. I could not resist taking a picture of her little behind in her snowflake jeans! How cute is that!

going to church

Here she is ready to go to church! She had her first time in the nursery and loved it ... what would expect?

Why I don't get my work done

This is the reason it is hard for me to work! It seems that as soon as I get going on a project, there is someone at my feet! This is the look I get when she wants me to play and to stop working ... what is a mom to do?

Self portrait

She loves to have her picture taken and likes to see it on the camera right away! When we take the picture she looks at it, points to herself and says "DeDe". We have discovered that is what she calls herself.

You looking at me?!

How funny is this picture!

Visiting Vito

Well it is true ... our daughter has already had to go to the training room at school, due to injury. After our exciting win over Arlington she ran out on the court and fell. She cried a little - which is unusual for her - and I noticed BLOOD! I ran over to Vito, our trainer, and and he took a look at her. Well, it was not a big injury, she just bit her tongue with her huge teeth. She was smiling at us a minute later and this injury has not stopped her eating or drinking. Here are some pictures of her and her blood. I guess that is the price you pay when you play sports!

My new ride

McKaden just loves the stroller that her Aunt Ducky helped get for her! Here she is bundled up for a cold walk to go get the mail. Yes, the pink blanket is a fashion accessory to her black, pink and hot pink stroller. She is also holding her new unicorn that she got from her friends Levi and Caleb. Of course, her favorite part is the tag!