We LOVE adoption!

As we begin the new year, I am very hopeful that we will get to add to our family again through adoption.  We are trying to spread the word that we are hoping to adopt, so if you are new to our blog, or considering adoption, welcome! Please, check out the links to our adoption profiles on the right side of the screen. If you have any question please email or give us a call!

While the wait for our new little one is sometimes HARD, I have faith in the process.  There are two reasons my faith is so strong.  One, is an amazing girl named Jessi.  She placed our little boy in our family, so I know adoption works, and is a blessing beyond description.  She has become one of my best friends, and gives me the added strength I need, right when I need it.  Two, I know our Heavenly Father knows our family and has a plan for us.  So while I will be patient, I also want to do all I can to help find our little one.  I often talk about our desire to adopt with everyone I meet.  We have cards that have all of our information on them, and I pass them out on a regular basis.  I would love for you to join me in our search.  If you would like some cards, I am happy to get them to you.  Talk to those you know about us, maybe you are the connection we need.

If you have ever wondered what an open adoption looks like, I want to show you.  It is wonderful and we love it. We went camping with Brandt's Jessi and her family this summer. (I blogged about it earlier in the year.)  While there Jessi's Aunt and Uncle took some family pictures for us (they are great photographers).  And yes, we are all really that happy when we are together.

Christmas Time!

Brandt was so excited to see if Santa had come during the night.  And can you believe he did!  We had one happy little boy.  Mommy and Daddy sure loved watching the excitement in his face.

 Mommy was surprised with a nook!  Yay!!!

 Dixie wasn't forgotten either.

 Daddy even found a few for him.

The biggest surprise was waiting at home, his very own train table and trains.  He loves spending time playing with his trains, it is really cute.

Christmas Eve Night

In the evening we went to a pretty park that is all decked out for Christmas and has some water fountains in the middle of a pond. The fountain sprays are set to Christmas music and lights.  It is always really neat experience and this year was no exception. We got to feed some hungry ducks too, and in the background of the picture you can see some of the pretty lights.

 Brandt has a good time, I think he was making a dinosaur growl when we took the picture.

 After we got home we got ready for bed and left a treat out for Santa.  Brandt got to pick out what to leave and he chose a donut and orange juice.  He loved it, and was so excited for Santa to come.

Christmas Eve Hike

The day before Christmas was beautiful, and we headed over to some trails to do a little hiking.  Brandt is a great hiker and we all had a fun time. Andrew's brother Wayne and his family went along too, it's always more fun with cousins around!

 Wayne, Fauna, Ian, Cali, and Bruce

 Boys will be boys!  Apparently while hiking big and little boys must climb on a big rock and make faces.  Glad we didn't miss that!  Love those two!

Hanging with Family

We headed to North Alabama to spend Christmas with Andrew's family this year.  We went up a few days before and had a lot of fun with all of the family there.  We always take a family picture, but somehow forgot!  Here is the most recent family pic, from Ian's baptism

Hanging out with Molly and Lauren! CRAZY balloon fun!

Family Breakfast at Grandpa's house!  The Grownups discuss upcoming events! :)

The kids play, so much to do!

Eating dinner at Red Lobster on Christmas eve with Grandpa and Nanny Doris and Wayne and Fauna.  A tradition they started many, many years ago.

The Nativity

 One of my favorite family traditions is acting out the Nativity at Christmas.  The family all gathered, costumes were adorned, and we began. The excitement was bubbling as everyone got ready and in their costumes.  We had Mary, Jospeh, baby Jesus, Inn Keepers, Wise Men, Shepards, Sheep, And the Narrator. 

 The Angel came to Mary...

 The Shepards with their sheep.  (and a king)

Everyone came to see the new baby.

Christmas Cookies with Grandmom

The last few years my (Rheanna's) mom has invited Brandt to come to her house for a Christmas cookie making date.  She is such a great Grandmom and we love her lots!  Brandt loves to spend time at Grandmom and Grandpop's house!  They made some wonderful creations and had a great time too!

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

We have the tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree each year at a local Christmas tree farm.  It is so much fun to hunt for the perfect tree.

Brandt was running from tree to tree

He found one "Brandt Size"

Great family picture!  And this is the best out of 8 we took.  Brandt was acting silly on purpose.

Daddy and Brandt cutting down our tree together

We LOVED the whole experience!

Pumpkin Patch!

 Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch was a big success!  We had such a great time going and picking out our pumpkin, running through the field and riding a pony.