Thanksgiving 2011

This year we got to spend Thanksgiving with our Vos family. It was so fun to see everyone, meet our two newest family members who were born last Winter/Spring, and introduce Anika to her great-grandparents. Anika had a BLAST playing with her cousins!

Fun at the park with Grandma!

Finally got to meet this CUTIE!!! Cousin Lauren!!

And this handsome little guy...cousin Gerrit!!!

COUSINS!!!!

Wagon Rides with Uncle Scott...

Story time with Grandma...

CHEESE!! :)

Buds! :)

Grandpa and Grandma Goemaat and all the great-grandkiddo's...

Thanks for a great time, family! Can't wait to see you again!!

YEAH 2!!!!!

Happy Birthday Anika!!! We are so thankful for the gift of you! We love you more each day!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

Sunny, Sunday afternoon...

WHOA....that's COLD!!!!!! :)

I don't mind, though. It's hot out, and a girl's gotta cool off somehow. :)

Nothin' tastes quite as good as a drink from the hose on a hot day. :)

Future Rockstar?!?!

Five years!

Wow! Five years ago today, we were celebrating the most beautiful and meaningful day of our lives. Thanks to everyone who helped make the day so special. We love each other more each day, and can't wait to see what God has in store for the years to come!

mmmmm.....garden fresh!!

First pony ride! She's a natural! :) Better go get her some cowboy boots and a hat. Gotta do our best to raise a country girl at heart!

Yogurt???? Yes, please!!!!!

Fourth O'July water fun...

Not quite sure what to do at first, but with a little help...

...and your best bud by your side...

...you figure it out! :) :)

HOORAY!!!!!!

One year ago today we visited the courthouse in Seattle, and a judge told us what we already knew in our hearts from the moment she was born...Anika was our daughter forever. Happy Adoption Day Anika Grace!!! We love you more each day and we're thrilled God has blessed us with the gift of you!!!

COFFEE!!!!!

Oh, my....I turned my head for a few seconds...I'm now thankful that she has been extra cranky and clingy this morning. I hadn't had a chance to drink my coffee yet, so it was stone cold when she got a hold of it. Obviously she is a true PNW girl, as she seemed to LOVE the coffee...oh, my dear girl...here's to trying to put a caffeinated child down for a nap soon! :)

Friends...

I gotta admit...some days it's very hard not to live near our families. God is so faithful to us, though, by providing us with some very dear friends to fill the void. Thank-you, Jesus!

Taco Tuesday with Brian and Meg!!! Don't mind Anika...she's just making a quick call to the local country radio station (honestly) after finding Brian's phone...


I think these two are quite fond of each other. :) Anika loves her "Meh"!

Last night Brad and I had the privilege of being invited to speak at a fundraising banquet for Bethany Christian Services. Megan came over to watch Anika for us. I'm pretty sure Anika had the most fun Saturday night she's had in a long time...check out their adventures that Megan documented fabulously here... http://www.aplacecalledmeganville.blogspot.com/ .

The bike trailer...

For his birthday Brad wanted a bike trailer that Anika can ride in, and can double as a jogger stroller. It's awesome! We've already tooled around town with it quite a bit. Any time spent outside is heaven on earth for Anika. The trailer is a HUGE hit with her.


Helping daddy assemble the trailer...



Sometimes the boxes are so much more fun than helping, though...


So excited!!!!


All buckled in a ready to go!!


It's gonna be a great Summer! :)

Chocolate Angel Food Cake!

Every year on his birthday the only request Brad has is for Chocolate Angel Food Cake, which is a Vos family recipe and tradition. He told me this years was the best I've made so far. :) This year he was excited for Anika to share in the deliciousness. :)


He was pretty excited. :)


This is what the cake looked like by the time we sat down for Brad's birthday dinner...guess it really was a good one! :)


Her first taste...not quite sure what to think...


Mmmmmmm.......(notice the eyes closed in sheer chocolatey delight :) )


I think she likes it! :)

Happy Birthday Brad!

Well, the big guys birthday was yesterday. Since we couldn't really do much to celebrate on his actual birthday, we took today to do something fun. He bought tickets a while ago for the Chinese Gardens in Portland, so he chose to go there.

Every good adventure must begin with a coffee stop. :)

We got to run around...

We saw some really cool landscaping, Chinese kites they had on display, and plants...

We had fun watching the goldfish and ducks in the ponds...

The birthday guy and his princess...

The girls...

Seriously?? More pictures??

What a fun afternoon! Happy Birthday, Brad! We love you so much, and we're so glad we have you to celebrate!