Happy Halloween!

From our fifties girl, Bay*lor cheerleader, cowboy, and fairy princess! Hope you all had as much fun and got as much candy as they did :)

Happy Birthday, Beautiful Girl!

I don't think I've ever seen someone as excited for their birthday as my Annaboo has been. FINALLY, the day was here, and I think it was everything she imagined.

Daddy worked from home and they all went to Monkey Joes (those pictures are on Dad's camera, but I'll get them up soon!)

There was a big pile of presents and cards just waiting for her, and Sissy even brought balloons home.

Drew met us for dinner at Fudd*ruckers and we all celebrated our precious girl turning FIVE! She picked Fudds completely on her own, because she loves playing the games there :)

She was finally allowed to do the driving game there, with a little help from Daddy!

One of the cashiers announced her birthday over the speakers and brought an ice cream sundae out for her.

She came home and her long awaited for bike was there to greet her! That was the ultimate excitement, considering she has been asking for a "princess bike with training wheels" for the past year!

There was delicious vanilla cake with chocolate icing that she and I made together yesterday...

Yes, it was truly the perfect way of celebrating our not-so-baby girl.

And to my sweet FIVE year old,

I love you more than words could ever express. It feels like just yesterday that we celebrated your first birthday half a world away from where you were... and to think you are already FIVE! Please stop growing up on me! Thank you for all of the joy, love, and excitement you bring to our family every day. I cannot imagine life without you and I am so thankful that God blessed us with YOU! I hope your fifth year is the best yet and that all of your birthday wishes come true!

I love you, big girl!

The cake is baked...

And there's a little someone who could not be more excited to turn FIVE tomorrow!

Two Years of Princess Kate!

Two years of our princess! We celebrated with Chinese, of course, and were even given the chocolate cake! :)

the biggest and the littlest at lunch!

So full of JOY and LIFE!

Can't believe how far she has come in just 2 years!

6 of the 7!

Will, you were missed!

Mommy, Daddy, and their princess!

Once a Sissy's girl, always a Sissy's girl :)

All of the sisters...

Have I mentioned this little thing is a princess if I've ever seen one?!

After watching her movie, with her present from China-- a doll!

My beautiful girl! Look how long her hair is... much to her delight!

I can't believe that today marks two years with our darling baby girl! She may only be a few (as in 3-4) pounds heavier, but how far she has come in these two years!

I remember the day like it was yesterday... the emotions as we rode out to the Philip Hayden Foundation in Tianjin. After months of looking at pictures, it was finally the day.

Of course, she wasn't so anxious or excited.

And she let us know, screaming uncontrollably until we headed back to the hotel.

It was heartbreaking to see her, yet my heart was so full. And yesterday, as she watched her video, reliving the moment with tears in her eyes, my heart felt full once again.

While her initial adjustment wasn't easy, each month home brought more love, and 2 years later, it is hard to believe that the sweet little girl in the pictures above is even the same precious baby we met just two years ago...

To my sweet Kate, I love you more than words can describe! Your love of all things girly, your major sweet tooth, your appreciation for the littlest of things, your desire to always be dressed as a princess, your sweet heart and cheerful spirit... I love every single part of YOU!

Happy 2 years together!

Here's my sweet baby's video, in case you haven't seen it yet~

The Miracle of Kate from emily horner on Vimeo.

A few pictures

I have quite a few pictures to add from trips to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch... but for now, here are a few from after Church last weekend. I may be a bit biased, by my little sibs are CUTE :) We got AnnaClaire and Kate's dresses at a smock shop in Hong Kong and I just LOVE them!!!