Adoption Day!

Today Mason's adoption was finalized in the court!!  It was the same fairy godmother, I mean judge, who presided over Kade's that presided over Mason's.  Although it's a little nerve wracking walking into a courtroom, once we swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God, it turned into a big, laid back celebration.

Yep, we really did stand and raise our right hands.

Yep, the judge really is sitting high up, robe, gavel and all.

That's about as formal as it got.  Soon afterwards, Kade took the law into his own hands.

And then both boys were in charge.

The long arm of the law never looked so cute!

I filled out some necessary paperwork,

while our old neighbor, Darla, who happened to be the court clerk, spoiled the boys with John Deere goodies!

There were 6 more adoptions taking place after ours, unfortunately those kids will not be getting JD loot like our boys did.  It's nice to know people in high places :-)

Then it was time to take some "official" pictures!

One thing I haven't mentioned about Mason's adoption is the the perfect timing of it all.  Erik and I had set an end date.  If we weren't chosen by June 1, 2014 (the day I turned 35) we were going to be done.  We were sick of the wait, sick of the let downs and sick of the paperwork.  I had prayed about it, asking God that if it was His will that we adopt another baby, to let it be done before June 1st.  And if it wasn't His will, to give me the strength to close that chapter and move on.  A few weeks later He answered me.  Fittingly, Mason's Baptism day was June 1, 2014.

We started the process of building our family in 2004.  Here we are, 10 years later, with 2 extremely handsome and perfect boys :-)  Although this was not the path we set out on 10 years ago, I wouldn't change one step of the way because it got me to where I am now--the mom to these 2 angels.  It was a long, hard fought journey with more downs than ups but the ending is perfect.  Erik and I finally have our happily ever after.

The link to the video to go along with the Yogi Bear post.  It won't let me post the actual video because I don't have rights to the song that's playing in the background.  Lame.

Miss Ellie puts all of those country girls shaking it for Luke Bryan to shame.  Love that girl!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ufNZuonQUk

Yogi Bear

We took our annual camping trip to Yogi Bear last week (it's considered "annual" if this is the 2nd summer we've gone, right?).  Although it wasn't as warm as last year (a polar vortex in July????  Really Mother Nature?) it was still awesome weather for camping.  Plus it was a good temperature for Mason who can't really do much to cool himself off yet anyway.

The big kids had a blast, the mom's had a good time once we got there (getting packed and ready for camping ranks right up there with a root canal--it's worth it in the end.  Megan and I both have some pretty comical stories-after the fact-about our dear husbands.  Let's just say swear words were involved and the more swear words we used the more shots we added to our first "stress reliever" drink at the campground).  I'm pretty sure the dad's had fun too, as their can coozies were never empty for too long :-)

Anyway, here's tons of pictures of the little cuties!

Big step for Kade, he let Cindy touch him!  He even High 5'd Yogi!  Last year he wouldn't go near them.

Dance Party!!  Have you ever seen a more focused and determined dancer?  I have a fantastic video of this too.  I'll be sure to upload it soon...and use it as blackmail later in life :-)

I'm still holding out hope for a Happily Ever After for these two :-)

Someone is super pumped about his first ever hole-in-one!!  Too bad it was pure luck, as the other holes averaged about 20 strokes and a pick-the-ball-up-and-toss-it-in to finish the hole.

Mason and I chilled in the shade while everyone else swam.  He didn't seem too upset about not taking a dip.

I'm a lucky lady.

Someone is looking like he's going to follow in his big brother's footsteps.  He's BIG.  Are we sure Mason is only 5 months old?

Sleepy heads

Classic Mason.  Chewing on anything he can fit in his mouth.  Darn mosquito got him under his eye.  Can't blame the mosquito though, he is one sweet little man!

We took the boys to the county fair last week.  Growing up, the fair was the highlight of Erik's summer.  He was in 4-H so he showed cows.  He would spend most of the week there, morning til night, where you could find him in the cow barn, in front of the rib tickler stand or at the all-you-can-drink milk cart.  He never even bothered going to the ride side of the fairgrounds.  

His fair experiences and my fair experiences couldn't be more opposite.  This "city girl" spent exactly 1 afternoon at the fair on "wristband day" when you could go on every ride as many times as you wanted.  I never went to the 4-H side because I couldn't stand the smell and the farm animals scared me.

Kade is exactly like Erik, which we've already established in previous posts, but it's scary how alike they are.  When we got to the fair we immediately got food.  Then we decided to take the boys down the "ride alley" since Kade is big enough to go on a few this year.  We were prepared to buy tickets and spend some time in line for rides.  Well, he took one look down the lane and said, "Ugh, there are way too many people around here!  Let's go check out the cows, sit on some tractors and then get mini donuts."  I don't think I need to describe the size of Erik's smile!!  Maybe Mason will be my fair ride partner....

A pair of farmers, in cow heaven.

The 4th of July

Our 4th celebrations started on the 3rd this year.  We took Kade to his very first fireworks show in a neighboring small town.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures but Kade had the time of his life playing with friends at the park before the fireworks started and then oohing and aahing at every single firework that went up.  It really makes you appreciate the small things when you are watching your kids see something for the first time!

It was going to be a late night so Mason skipped the fireworks this year and instead stayed home and got some one-on-one time with Grandma H.

The next day we packed up and headed down to Owen, Ellie and Rylee's house for some good old fashioned summertime play!  The kids immediately changed into their suits for a water gun fight which really did end up being a fight.  One kid would spray the other, the one who got sprayed would get mad because they didn't want to be sprayed, then they would turn right around and spray someone else.  They finally gave up on spraying each other and just watered various objects in the yard instead.

Megan (aka Betty Crocker) got all the kids together to make individual fruit pizzas.  Seriously, how does she come up with these things and then find the time to make it happen??

All 9 kids standing still long enough for a picture!  Miracles do happen!

Mason didn't get to enjoy a fruit pizza but he did get to wear a silly hat.  Poor kid, good thing he won't remember it :-)

That's Kade running up the slide on the right.  When did he get so long??

Because I have to give the dad's a hard time, here they are doing what they did best....

And here's Mason doing his best "Dad" impersonation :-)

Our actual 4th of July fireworks consisted of glow sticks, sparklers and random people in the neighborhood letting off their own fireworks.  It was perfect!

All 9 kids again, with a little help from some parents this time.

Kade even kept the party going in his sleep!

Saturday Kade, Erik and Uncle Mike helped Grandpa H bale some hay for the horses.

Finally we capped off the perfect long weekend with a dip in the pool.  Mason even got to get in for a little bit!  Good thing Grandma Holiday keeps the water temp at a "refreshing" 95 degrees!

Life is good!