Elliot's room in now done!

 Well all the wall paper has been removed.  So long gone are the lovely green flowers that graced Elliot's walls.  Now in its place is a lovely shade of blue with glow in the dark stars and moons on the celling.  Hey we wanted Star Wars and Mario so we settled on a blue walls with stars.  Sorry Mario.

What have we been up to?

This is Ansley's room before we moved in. Why would you show a house and not at least make your beds? I guess I didn't take any pictures of the "ugly". It had bad wallpaper every where! So after removing the wallpaper and fixing the walls, painting, and decorating. It is now a room fit for a little Paris loving princess.

This is her room now.

We still have a little decorating left to do, but she is happy now. If Ansley is happy then her momma is happy. Now on to Elliot's room. One room down 17 more to go. There is wallpaper in all of them. Fun fun fun.

One Year Ago

On June 11th, we celebrated Iris' gotcha day. One year ago Joel and I got on a plane and flew half way around the world to meet our youngest daughter. We walked into the social welfare office and saw this face for the very first time.

We got to watch a transformation take place as she went from "orphan" to "beloved daughter".

We have been blessed with that smile for a one year now and we are so very grateful.

Today, Iris got glasses. Doesn't she look cute?

Already striking glamor girl pose.

Iris, we just couldn't be more in love with you. You are such an amazing little girl. You got on a plane with 2 total strangers and flew half way around the world to start a new life far from everything you had ever known. You are so smart and willing to try anything. You have NO fear. Your English is spot on now. Now if we could only get you to STOP talking.

Iris will not be left out of anything for any reason. The older kids have razor scooters and Iris has a three wheeled scooter. She wanted nothing to do with that baby scooter. She has now mastered the razor. Elliot has learned to ride his bike without training wheels and Iris is also determined to learn. I told her she needed to master the tricycle first and learn to steer. So in typical Iris fashion, she climbed on the tricycle and mastered that in one day. Now she is ready for the bicycle. Unstoppable! We love you girl.

Well, it is official, Ansley and Elliot are now 9 and 6. They decided to have a joint party. I was very grateful. The obvious choice was a Mario party. Soo....

Iris helping me blow up balloons
Party favors. Aren't the hats the cutest.

Just a little excited

the girls hamming it up

Who said he could grow up?

Joel, trying to keep the boys in line

Iris in the hamster ball

Watching the pinwheel

Totally spellbound

Cake anyone

It was pretty hot on Friday, but everyone loved the party. The kids had a blast trying on different mustaches and hats. They played video games. Life doesn't get much better then that for the 6 to 9 year old crowd.

"I made Easter egg"

Iris was so excited to "make Easter eggs", she could barely sit still. She had so much fun. Iris can now name all her colors so she made sure to boss, I mean tell Ansley and Elliot which color they should color their eggs. It was pretty funny. We love our little dictator.

Is it time yet

look at that smile

the finished product

aren't they pretty

Hey where it that one I made

Happy Birthday Baby

Today was a difficult day. It is Owen's 1st birthday! We were not able to send him anything yet, as his orphanage is very strict about care packages and contact with the adoptive families. So the kids and I made cupcakes at home and celebrated his birthday by going to the park and enjoying this lovely weather we have been having this week.



Elliot had soccer practice today so we went to watch him play then home for dinner. Elliot thought we should have Owen's favorite meal, taco's of course. Because you know if Elliot likes it then Owen must like it, Owen is HIS brother. So taco's it was.



Happy 1st birthday Owen Louis YongChen Chambers

Owen James YongChen Chambers

We still haven't decided on a middle name. We all like both. Louis is a name I have always liked and it is Joel's grandfathers middle name, only his is Lewis. James is just a great name and since both Joel and Elliot have J's in their names we feel like Owen should have a J also. So maybe we will have a poll. Leave a message and let us know which middle name you like for Owen.

My little boy is growing up too fast

Elliot has had a lot going on lately. First, he has learned to read! We are all so excited for him. Here is a picture of him with the first book he read by himself. He now wants to read everything. He is so proud of himself.












A few weeks later, he started loosing teeth. His two bottom teeth we loose. His sister knocked out the first one when they were playing. Then the other one moved into the center for this lovely look. Two days later the other one fell out at pre-school. Thank goodness!

















Here he is with his partner in crime. I found it funny that this child was telling Elliot to "just pull it out" even though she herself would not touch her loose teeth. They were allowed to literally hang in there until they dropped out by themselves.