Winter 2010 Recap

 It seems like it was a long winter and it 

has also been a long time since we last 

posted!  Sophia has been a busy scientist

exploring the world around her- she is

especially fond of removing the contents of 

drawers.  She understands everything and 

knows many words, but hasn't formed 

sentences yet.  She counts to ten when 

climbing up and down the stairs, so maybe

that is her first sentence :)

  Our trip to Florida for Laura's

cheer competition was a great break from

being cooped up all winter.  

 All dressed for Laura's Regional cheer competition 

(with Minnie as good luck to qualify for Nationals

in Florida)

 Still loves her "baba" before naps and bedtime

  Never too cold to blow bubbles 

outside!

   Reading to Molly- she is a good listener!

   Love my dolly :)

  Never saw any of this white stuff 

in Hanoi

   Taking my sled for a ride...

   Chillin' at the airport with the girls waiting for our

flight to Florida for Nationals

  Meeting Minnie and Mickey.  Glad they were indoors

because it was pouring in the Magic Kingdom our first

day at Disney

   Hanging out after our lunch following the cheer 

competition at Hollywood Studios

   Taking a break at one of the many Disney stores

   With Laura and friends at Animal Kingdom after they went

on the big Himalayan roller coaster

   At dinner in NYC for Michael's 25th birthday

celebration!

 
 

     Holding Elmo, reading Elmo, while watching an Elmo

DVD.  Can you tell I am a big fan of the little red monster!?!?

   Out in the big blizzard of 2010 with

Laura and her friends

  Would anyone like a spoonful of snow-

we have plenty to spare!

A Year Since My Homecoming!

  Sophia came home December 13, 2008 to be 

a part of our family.  It seems like she has 

always been with us, and it's hard to believe 

the year has gone by so quickly!  Last year she

couldn't walk or talk and now at 18 months 

old, Sophia is running around and expanding

her vocabulary every day.  She isn't speaking

in full sentences yet, but she can name and 

understand just about everything.  We all

love her and she brings so much joy to our 

lives, especially during December which

is always so difficult for us.

 I love cheering for Laura at her cheerleading

competitions!

  

  Of course, since my brother gave me this hat, I am

also a Penn State Nittany Lions fan :)

  Sledding after our first snow storm of the 

season

 

 

  Santa's helper

  With Michael and Laura at our family

friend's home on Christmas

Readoption Day!

One year ago today, on December 4, 2008 we had the giving

and receiving ceremony in Hanoi. On that day, Sophia Rose

officially became our daughter. It was purely coincidental 

(or perhaps fate?) that our re-adoption hearing in the 

Morristown, New Jersey courthouse wound up being scheduled 

for December 4, 2009, exactly one year later. Needless to say, 

this was a joyous and emotional experience for our family.  

It meant a lot to us that Sophia Rose's brother Michael and 

sister Laura were able to be with us for the re-adoption proceeding.  

It was also very meaningful that some of our friends were able

 to be there with us today. 

Swearing in Loren and Susan before the Judge, at the

beginning of the hearing

Our lawyer and family friend Bill representing us

Sophia answering all the Judge's questions....

At the conclusion of the hearing...

With the Judge and our lawyer.  So happy for our re-adoption

to now finally be completed in the state of New Jersey.  :)

GOTCHA DAY!!!

Exactly one year ago today we went to the Dong Anh orphanage

outside Hanoi to meet Hoang Thi Phuong; it was love at first sight!

She was almost 6 months old, and immediately took to us as we 

held her for the first time.  It's hard to believe that it's been a year

since that emotional day.  We are so blessed that she is part of our family now,

and we can't imagine life without her.

.

Mommy holding Sophia Rose for the first time on

December 1, 2008 at the orphanage.

Mommy and Loan (from PLAN) with Sophia Rose and 

two of her orphanage friends, Claire and the other Sophia

Daddy and Sophia bonding during that

first meeting at the orphanage. 

Back at our hotel on gotcha day, finally

out of the orphanage clothes and into something

more fitting for this little cutie.

One year later...Sophia has developed

so much, and has an amazing sense of humor. 

She loves wearing our shoes, and she knows

it gets instant laughs from us.

What a difference a year makes! 

Nothing better than this!  It's impossible not to have 

a smile on your face and in your heart when you are with Sophia.

Sophia absolutely loves her big sister

LaLa (Laura).

We celebrated Gotcha day with dinner out

at a Thai restaurant. It was Sophia's choice

since Pad Thai noodles are one of her very

favorite foods! 

First Halloween and Thanksgiving!

It's been one year to the day this Thanksgiving that we left

for Vietnam to get Sophia Rose.  It's hard to believe a full year 

has gone by, and it's so wonderful to see how much Sophia has 

grown and developed since we first met her.  

On October 18th, Sophia, Laura and I went to a fall brunch

of the Families with Children from Vietnam, New Jersey 

chapter.  This is Sophia with Ellie whose mom and dad 

hosted the brunch. 

I think I'll help myself to a little ice cream 

while mommy and daddy aren't looking

Oh, oh.....caught in the act

Forget the bowl; the container is much 

more fun to eat from

Sophia and mommy go to Gymboree every Thursday; The 

class dressed up in costumes the day before Halloween;  Sophia

was one of two bumble bees buzzing around the class!

We went to the Halloween parade at the Elementary 

school, but it rained at night se we stayed home

and greeted the trick or treaters as they came to

the door

Sophia modeling the jumper aunt Karen

knitted, and wearing the velvet and silk

jacket that was hand made in Vietnam

In deep thought or admiring her shoes??

Holding a picture of my big brother Michael

when he was about 6 years old. 

Nobody's going to take this picture away from me!

Hugging his picture, and can't wait for him to come

home for Thanksgiving so I can see him

Thanksgiving dinner with my nana, my family and some 

friends that joined us (not pictured)

All dressed for shopping with my family

on black friday