SEPTEMBER, 2006

Butter Sculputure, Utah State Fair





Stefanie's first pony ride!





Utah State Fair





Stefanie at the Fashion Place Mall, her first ride.


We got a smile out of our little cheetah!



A tired little cheetah who had not taken her nap.



Hoogle Zoo


Stefanie and Daddy at the Hoogle Zoo feeding ducks

This month we have had the opportunity to get out and have fun and here are just some of the places we have gone to: The Hoogle Zoo, Stefanie rode an ice cream truck at Fashion Place Mall, Utah State Fair, Utah Healing Field, and we have all managed to get sick, in addition to Stefanie teething. Stefanie is getting her nineth tooth. Here are some photos taken this month and I will post more as the month is not over.

Stefanie's newest word is nana (Banana) and banana's are her favorite fruit. Stefanie is now walking really well. Stefie and Jon have finally bonded well with each other and Daddy really makes her laugh!

FCC SUMMER PICNIC

Stefanie makes a new friend Emily.





On September 2, 2006 we went to the Families With Children From China Summer Picnic. We hade a great time and Stefanie loved being around all the other children. Here are photos from that day.

STEFANIE AND BARNEY

Stefanie recognizes Barney at Babies"R"Us.

STEFANIE TAKES A TUMBLE ON THE SLIDE AT THE FCC PICNIC AND DOES NOT GET INJURED!

1st SQUEEKY SHOES

WIA FAMILY PICNIC

Pictured from left to right: Our Adoption Agency China Program Director Dianne Squires, Claire's Parents Scott & Theresa.





Our Social Worker Donna is on the right wearing blue.


Stefanie makes a new friend Claire.


We had so much fun in the month of August. We attended our first Wasatch Family Picnic with previous and current clients. Stefanie was so happy and loved being around the other children. Here are a few photos of our special day.

AUGUST, 2006

La Luna Mexican Restaurant


Our first visit to The Peppermint Place,
Candy Factory


Aunt Theresa


Stefanie playing with her baby dolls


Stefie decides this is her newest accessory,
Daddy's tie!








Stefanie and Aunt Theresa


Salt Lake County Fair




Having Fun at Lagoon Amusement Park


Kimball Arts Festival, Park City


Out for a Sunday drive






Stefanie takes her first steps









Stefanie and her newest gift from our close friends
Donna, Robert and Natalie Ramin. Stefanie's first car!

The month of August has gone by so quickly I do not know where to begin. We have had so much fun with Stefanie and she continues to amaze us. Stefanie now says the word "uh oh", up, and continues to point at everything. She is just now starting to really get into playing with stuffed animals and baby dolls. Stefie continues to say good night to all of her "things", bears, dolls, bear plaque above her crib, Jesus (her cross in her room) and loves to say Amen as she puts her hands together right before we go to bed. Stefanie has a rabbit named Hope and when you press Hope's stomach it says a prayer.

Stefanie loves her little finger puppets and a few times has tried to go at Tigger and Charlie's dry cat food. One day Stefie was too quick for me and ended up with a piece of dry cat food in her mouth as she did not want to let Charlie eat alone. Stefie was not too happy when Mommy insisted on prying her mouth open to pull it out. Stefanie was not hungry as I had just finished feeding her breakfast. Another day Stefie decided to splash her hands in the cat water, and then there was the day she covered Charlie with dry cat food. Life is definitely not uneventful and Stefie keeps us on our toes.

This month Stefanie took her first steps and we are absolutely thrilled. She is still not walking just yet but practices sitting down and standing up on her own all the time. Stefanie had a chance to spend the week with her Aunt Theresa (my sister) who came for a visit. Theresa loved being with Stefanie and she made Stefie laugh harder than I have ever seen her laugh before.

We had a chance to attend our Adoption Agencies first Family Picnic and had a wonderful time. Stefanie absolutely loved being around all the other children. It is incredible to think Stefanie has only been home less than three months and it seems as if she has always been here with us.

CHARLIE TURNS ONE

Tigger refused to be seen wearing a hat on camera!


Stefanie watching her first DVD "Elmo's World".




Stefanie's first balloon.


What's a party without a balloon.


More toys!





Bedtime


Happy Birthday Charlie!!!!!

August 1, 2006 was Charlie's first birthday and we could not let it go by without a few photos and a birthday celebration. Charlie was presented with canned pink salmon, a party hat and lots of little new toy (mice), his favorite. Charlie feels the need to capture his toy mice and place them in his drinking water.

Stefanie enjoyed her very first balloon on Charlie's birthday and I took a few photos never leaving her unattended. She was so happy I do not think I have seen her this happy since we played with aluminum foil. I should probably mention we do not usually play with things like foil, I try to teach Stefanie something every day and we do a lot of repetition on everything.

Stefanie and I are currently working on colors, shapes and first words. Stefie is able to point at a picture of a rooster, peas and a cow, when asked to show me which one is the rooster, cow or peas. Stefanie will point out artwork or paintings in any room if she is asked to do so. Once in a while she needs a few extra minutes when there are too many photos or artwork on the walls, and it creates a little confusion. A good example of Stefanie becoming a bit confused is when we went to the Park City Art Festival. Stefie points at absolutely everything and is currently obsessed with lights, ceiling lights, night lights, etc.