We're Back!!!

In case anyone is still checking (??)!! Our camera broke in July, just before we left for our vacation to Wisconsin, and we finally got it back. So now I am busy trying to make up for lost time and pictures! I can't believe summer is just about over. Alyssa and Riley started back to school last week, and I think Addison is ready to get back into a more normal routine. She continues to amaze us every day with how well she has adjusted, and with how much she continues to change, and learn. Just in the past few weeks, she has started saying more and more words. Her favorite words at the moment are "UP" (meaning pick me up, ALL the time!), and "yeh-yoh" (yellow). Don't be too impressed, she thinks EVERYTHING is yeh-yoh! Here are some pictures so you can see what we have been up to the past few months...... Hanging with Daddy.... Swimming in my pool... Here is Addison watering the flowers on the deck. Can you see how much mud has been splashed up from all the water? And can you see how wet her dress is?! She loves "watering", and helping out daddy! Thanks for my beautiful dress Julie (and Maddie!) Addison's first taste of "ice cream" (sorbet) at our favorite place in Michigan - Oink's! We do feed this girl....really!!

This is my very favorite picture. Addison LOVES Rah Rah (Riley). He is such a good big brother,too! First day of school for Alyssa and Riley...

Pretty girl! (isn't she getting big?)

So many "FIRSTS"!!

For the 4th of July this year, we spent the week at the Jersey Shore with Addison's Grandma and Grandpa Carlson. There were so many firsts in one week for our sweet girl: First beach trip, first time playing in the sand, and the waves, building sand castles, and burying her feet. She loved the beach!! This was her first 4th of July complete with fireworks and sparklers. All she could say was "WOW"!! She had her first time going to the boardwalk, and she had her first corn on the cob. What a great week. Here are some pictures from all of Addison's firsts:

Pretty Pink Toenails!

My Brown Eyed Girl!

SIX months!!

Dear Addison,

It's so hard to believe that you have been a part of our family for six months. I remember "gotcha day" like it was yesterday, and yet it feels like you have been with us forever. I don't grieve for the months we spent apart, but I rejoice for the months we have had together. You have filled a void in my heart that I didn't even know was there. You bring so much joy and laughter and fun to our family. You have stolen all of our hearts. Today, you started saying Alyssa and Riley's names. They have waited a long time to hear you say their names......Ah LaLa and RiYah. You are adorable!

I don't know what the first 13 months of your life were like, but you have such a strong and determined spirit, that I know you are adjusting to your new life beautifully. I thank God for you every day, and for giving you the will to overcome your fears. In the past 6 months you have learned to sit, crawl, walk, and now you are trying to jump. You have learned how to hold a bottle, and how to eat real food. You have learned to give kisses, hugs, say mama, dada, bottle, and lots of other words. You have learned to sign please, thank you, more, help, potty, shoes, all done, mama, dada, stop, go, cereal, friend, drink, bottle, milk, beautiful, and nigh-nigh. You have learned how to blow bubbles in the pool, and to go underwater without being afraid. You can go in the nursery at church, and stay the whole time. You have been to New York, Colorado, and Michigan. And you are learning how to pray. When we say prayers at dinner, you fold your hands and squint your eyes closed. When I rock you in the rocker before bed, I tell you about all the people that love you, and I always tell you how much God loves you. As soon as you hear me say God, you fold your hands and squint your eyes, so we pray together before bed. Those are such sweet times to me that I will hold in my heart forever.

I hope you will always know how loved and treasured you are. We love you with all our hearts, precious baby girl, and we thank God for the gift of you.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Some fun pictures.........

Addison learned how to "smile".....

And to think, 6 months ago she didn't know how to eat! Now she can eat and talk on the phone. Smart girl!

Daddys girl!

Happy baby!

We would love it if you would leave a wish/prayer/comment for Addison. I plan to print them all out and put them in her album. thanks!

Pictures...

Is this a cute little coat or what?! Like my piggy tails?

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" Psalm 19:1

Easter, ski trip and more!

Addison on Palm Sunday.........

This is Addison checking out the ducks in our back yard. As soon as she saw them, she said "baby" and kept signing 'baby', it was so cute....... Sisters.......... We took Addison on her first ski trip to CO. last week. We all had such a great time, and we were lucky enough to have lots of family out there to stay with her so Russ and I could ski. She did so good with babysitters for 3 days, and she loved seeing all the snow....... TWO grandma's to babysit!! And Uncle Dick and Aunt Donna..... Cousin Luke..... and Brooke On Easter Sunday we rode a lift to the top of the mountain for a Sunrise service. It was incredible!! Cold, but worth it. What a way to celebrate our saviour being risen from the dead... Riding the lift back down....Addison's first ski lift ride, and definitely not her last!!

Happy Easter from the Carlsons!!!