Waiting for news...

Well, as many of you know, today is the day that our friends Julie and Randy are adopting their daughter, Anna Elizabeth. Last night around 9pm was when they were to have met her at their hotel in Nanchang, Jianxi province in China. I woke a few times in the night looking at the clock, imagining how they were feeling. As it is nearing midnight there, I keep checking my email for news from Julie so that I can update her blog. The suspense is going to prevent me from doing much else today so I hope something arrives before they retire for the night. Obviously, little Anna might be throwing a wrench in their email plans so I'll try to be patient. :) I know what that's like, suddenly looking after a bewildered baby in a hotel room in a foreign land. It's not the easiest way to have a baby but I know they'll do fine. :)

Update: Monday night 11:30pm... Wow! That was the longest 24 hours ever waiting for their email to come through. I can now sleep easy having seen their beautiful daughter Anna... so adorable. And how nice to have hair! :)  P.S. Their blog link is on the right... Good night.

Nora's Dark Side

We enjoyed watching this commercial the other night, and were explaining it to Scott's parents as they were over for dinner. Scott ended up acting it out, which was almost as funny as the original commercial, thanks to some props from the boys. Nora got in on the act, although we had a hard time getting a decent photo. Check it out...



Nora had a great time running around with the mask half on. We were waiting for an accident any second which thankfully didn't happen. :)

And the birthday went on, and on...

A week later, we were still celebrating Lewis' birthday by going to Planet Lazer with his friends. Nora was entertained by chasing the laser-lit circles on the floor, which didn't show up here. Didn't seem to mind almost getting stepped on in the darkness...

Lewis and Thomas don't mind having Nora join them for the food...

 And she did enjoy her pizza as much as the boys did.

During the last game, Nora and Scott played tug-of-war with a ribbon. Doesn't take much to be entertained!

Lewis turns 10

Our family enjoyed celebrating Lewis' 10th birthday today, the 25th. Our youngest son is 8 1/2 years older than his sister Nora. Not what we had planned, but everything seems to be going okay anyway. She'll just miss her brothers tremendously in 10 years when they're not around very much. (I know we will...)

Anytime there are gifts to open, Nora is right there grabbing the tissue as she assumes that they are for her. (Conditioning from her first weeks at home...) We settled for keeping her on the table.

 I'm assuming that a brother put this on her head...

Lewis loves building with K'nex, and Nora loves trying to take it apart. It makes for a lot of "noise" when she accidentally ventures into his room...

By the next evening, Lewis had already completed the coaster which fascinated Nora, especially as the "cars" light up.

It's nice to know that Lewis has adjusted to having a little sister... how sweet is this?!

I'm so proud of how the boys have risen to the challenge of being big brothers. We all just wish Nora would calm down some about her "screaming" habit. Otherwise, she is delightful. :)

"Daddy" Time

Our Victoria Day holiday was pretty quiet, after such a busy Sunday. While I was out at the mall, Scott took Nora to a local park... he's so sweet. Nora got pretty attached to her cookie while checking out the playground equipment. (Takes her 30 minutes sometimes to eat it all...)

Scott's still having fun with his new camera, can you tell?

Nora tends to be quite serious when she's trying out new things...

...but she finally gave her beautiful smile.

Celebrating Family Birthdays

Will get to tomorrow!

Grade 4 Assembly

Despite Lewis insisting that there was no reason whatsoever to attend his weekly chapel, I knew I had written on the calendar to show up for something. Turns out his class was presenting a play to the rest of the school. As we were a little early, Nora enjoyed running about the gym which delighted all the students. (She's like a little celebrity there...)

Perhaps Lewis was not keen to have us see him dressed up as one of the three little pigs, but in the end his big smile gave away how pleased he was to have us there. Nora was intent on checking out the snouts...

The interesting twist on the play was that it was in french... "Les Trois Petite Cochons". The video will be kept for Lewis' future wedding, as he actually does a 5 minute dance in pig attire with his classmates!

Nora gets a chance to be a "piggy" for a few moments.

Meeting Uncle Stewart & Auntie Charlene

Nora's fond of looking out the front window when we tell her that Daddy's coming. Scott took the night off as his brother and sister-in-law were in town. We were excited that Stewart and Charlene would have the chance to meet Nora for the first time, as they live up in Anchorage.

Stewart is always hilarious, and had all the kids laughing with his unique reading of "Where is Maisy?", one of Nora's favourite board books.

Was short and sweet, but we're glad they could meet. Nora is always so friendly.

Scott's parents are back home now also, so it's great to see them too. Nora is able to say "Nana" and "Papa", which is really cute.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner out, with Doug and Louise joining us from Chilliwack.

Daddy's Girl

Most of you know that I don't follow hockey, but Scott is an avid fan. For his benefit, I dressed Nora up this afternoon in her new Canuck shirt, a gift from our neighbours. :) Scott is teaching her a new word... "Orca"!

Pretty funny that none of our boys have any Canuck wear, although most of them are enjoying following the play-offs.

Nora's trying to imitate the hockey players by perspiring heavily... actually that would be copious amounts of "drool".

Scott and Nora celebrate the first goal against San Jose.

 

Eventually Nora hung out with me as she was a little too distracting for everyone else. I'm hoping she'll be interested in sewing someday, especially during hockey games. :)

A Dinner Out