A birthday party & Christmas a little early

On Saturday, Emma was invited to her friend, Isabella's birthday party. Before the party,Emma helped mom in the kitchen - Saturday evening, we were having Christmas early with Justin and Megan, and Nana, Jerry, MaMa, Grandpa Charlie, Grandma Peggy, Aunt Gloria and Uncle Larry, and cousin Maria.

She really enjoyed the birthday party, and sweet Jennifer, Bella's mom, gave gifts to all the children and families too, for Christmas - thank you, Jennifer!

After the birthday party, we finished getting all our dishes ready for our early Christmas. Emma and Nana played until it was time to eat. Emma enjoyed her first Christmas dinner, and loved opening presents! She opened hers, Josh's and mom's, and gave everyone else theirs to open. She liked the toys, and is like her brother Justin when he was little. If it was a "white box" it got tossed. Clothes are OK, but bring on more toys!

The last few pictures are after Church on Sunday. The dress was a present from Nana and Jerry, and her bows had teeny jingle bells in them - she just looked adorable...

Our weekend

was another busy one!! We spent Friday evening helping set up for Grandpa Charlie's Christmas get together for Saturday afternoon, then had dinner with friends Russ, Deb, Lily and Lucy at a local Chinese restaurant.

Saturday morning, I finished Christmas shopping, then Emma went to get her Christmas pictures made. Saturday afternoon was spent with family at Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Peggy's church.

Then, Sunday we went to early service to hear the Christmas musical, which was wonderful, then Sunday School. Emma made us two ornaments for our tree in her Sunday School today.

Here are a few pictures from our busy weekend...

From the Bishop Family

Here it is...

Emma's first picture with Santa...

Sunday morning ready for church

Here is our little ham, all ready for church this morning...

Local FCC Christmas party

Our local Families with Children from China got together to celebrate Christmas last night. There were lots of families this time, some with several adopted home, some with one adopted home, one with a new referral for their daughter, one with part of the family on the way to China to bring home a son, and some still in the wait for "the call." It is a great group for support and information no matter where you are in the process. We always try to take lots of pictures, so please enjoy these from the party...

Emma went to see Santa this weekend!!

On Saturday, we went downtown to the History Museum to see Santa, and to Hotel Roanoke to see all the beautiful Christmas trees they have decorated. We went with our good friends Russ and Deb, and their two precious girls, Lily and Lucy. Emma was a little unsure of Santa at first, but as time went on, she scooted closer and closer. She loved all the Christmas trees at Hotel Roanoke too.

On Sunday after church, we went to the mall, and she sat on Santa's lap. I will have to post a picture of that later, since I don't have it on a disk yet. But, she rode the train both on Saturday, and on Sunday and loved that too! I think she will really enjoy Christmas this year!!

Enjoy the pictures from our weekend...