Stefie's First Dance Recital, May 10, 2008

Today Stefie had her first dance recital at Wheeler Farms. The music is from Toy Story, "You Got A Friend In Me". All we could do was laugh! This performance was too cute. Stefanie was really nervous before her performance and was distracted by all the people watching from the second floor. Stefanie's Teacher Miss Amanda was not in attendance so Tammy the owner of the dance school stepped in to help the girls with their performance. In the video pictured from left to right is: Frankie, Alliekena, Halle & Stefanie. Enjoy this cute performance!

STEFIE'S 3RD BIRTHDAY, APRIL 8, 2008

Today is Stefanie's 3rd birthday and Jon and I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. Our baby is grown into a beautiful little girl! She is funny, and has such a beautiful laugh and smile. Stefanie is bright, very energetic, kind, gentle, a little performer, a singer, she loves to paint and draw, read books, do puzzles, play in with her dishes and kitchen. Stefanie sings the alphabet song to us only missing a few letters and she can count to 20. Jon and I are so blessed to share our lives with Stefanie. Every day is an amazing day with our daughter.

Stefanie is growing up way too fast and doing things I never expected. On Easter she asked me if I was the Easter Bunny. Can you imagine...she was not even three years old. Of course I explained I was not and I am not sure why she thought I was. She does not go to school yet to be influenced by others but what a surprise. Stefanie is now trying to order food from waiters and waitresses at restaurants, yet another surprise.

This morning Stefanie woke up so very happy and climbed in bed with me to tell me she had been dreaming of cake, ice cream and balloons. She also told me she wanted to eat bacon. Jon and I did not have any turkey bacon in the house so we decided to take Stefanie out to breakfast instead. She definitely ate bacon as she ate Jon's bacon, my bacon and her own, in addition to eating most of her breakfast. She had such a wonderful day and was so full of smiles and laughter all day long. It is hard to believe Stefanie's special day is now over with and that she is now 3 years old. Jon and I will have beautiful memories of this very special day.

I have created a slide of photos from today's birthday party with my sister Theresa, Jon, Stefanie and I. We had a quiet celebration together as I am still trying to get over the flu.

STEFIE'S PRE-BIRTHDAY PARTY, MARCH 30, 2008

Once again this year Stefanie has a pre-birthday celebration. My mother Rosie was visiting and she wanted to celebrate Stefanie's birthday with us. So today we celebrate Stefanie's 3rd birthday. Stefanie loved every minute of our celebration with cake, ice cream and of course presents all for her!

THE CROWN, MARCH 29, 2008

This morning Jon was feeling productive and went into the basement to sort through old boxes. Jon came upstairs and brought with him my old crown he found in a box. I do not talk about my crown, unless someone see’s it and asks me about it. When Jon and I lived in Minnesota, Jon had me place my crown on a shelf along with all his awards, and he would like me to place this crown on the shelf here in Salt Lake.

When I was 19 years old, I was entered into a beauty contest by a friend of mine. My friend filled out an application and submitted it without my knowledge, then told me about it after doing so. I promised my friend I would go through with the pageant, only if I received a telephone call regarding my application. Well, I did receive that telephone call and I followed through. This was not something I would ever have done on my own, even though I use to model. My first contest, I won. It was in a small pageant and my title was "Miss California's Dream, 1987". Since I won the first pageant, I was automatically entered into another pageant in which I did not win. I was lucky enough to meet and become very close friends with someone by doing that pageant. After my second pageant that was also the last one I entered, as this was not something I planned on doing. I do enjoy watching pageants today and I think it has something to do with knowing what goes on backstage. I really enjoyed the year I spent as a beauty queen and I was sad when I had to give up my title. I considered myself very fortunate to have won and I had a lot of fun that year! I am really glad I went through with the contest, although I lost contact with my friend who actually entered me in to it.

Jon and I recently considered the idea of entering Stephanie into a Hawaiian Tropic contest. I think with Stefanie's look she would be perfect as a Hawaiian Tropic model. One of Stefanie's friends from dance class entered the Hawaiian Tropic contest and won second place. We were happy to hear she did so well, and she is such a cute little girl.

Currently Jon and I do not have any intention of entering Stefanie into beauty pageants, unless this is something Stefanie wants to do when she is older. Jon and I will support Stefanie with whatever she wants to do. At this point we will not be doing anything, although Jon keeps mentioning to me Stefanie should do print work. Stefie and I took a few photos for Jon with my crown and we all had a good laugh. She looked so cute!

This crown is pretty large and Stefie managed
to balance it on her head really well. Unlike me,
when I won it fell off my head and rolled onto the ground.
Prior to remeber to use hair pins to hold it in place.

LION, A TIGER & STEFIE, MARCH 29, 2008

This morning my sister Theresa, Mom and Stefie went out for a girls day of shopping. While were out we unexpectedly ran into a Lion and a Dog. Luckily Mom and I had our cameras with us and were able to take photos.

When Theresa and I were young every Saturday we would go shopping with our Mother Rosie, our Grandmother Lupe (my mom's mother), our Aunt Yolanda (my mother's sister), and Yolanda's daughter, cousin Christina. Christina was probably about as old as Stefie is today. We would all spend the day together and then have lunch. We remember having a lot of fun and of course we miss those days. Today its a lot harder for Grandma Lupe to go shopping, not to mention Grandma, my Mom and Yolanda all live in California. Cousin Chrissy now lives in Wyoming and we are here in Salt Lake City. Anyway we have wonderful memories where we all spent most of our time together.

Theresa & Stefie




Theresa & Stefanie

THE MAYAN, MARCH 26, 2008

Today was my first day out of the house since I had surgery and Jon, Stefie and I took my Mom, Rosie for lunch at The Mayan Restaurant. We had a very good meal and enjoyed a show. Unfortunately, my photos of the divers are very hard to see and will not show well on this blog.

Grandma Rosie


Stefie and Jon a.k.a."Daddy"

EASTER, MARCH 23, 2008

Eggs with Colorful Stickers, March 22, 2008

Stefanie really enjoyed coloring easter eggs this year. When we were done, she ended up having green dye all over her hands. Unfortunately, I did not take any photos this Easter as I had surgery the day before and I was still not feeling well.


Jon, Stefie and my Mom "Grandma Rosie".


Colorful Easter Eggs.

WE WILL DANCE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Stefanie had her second dance class today. Jon took a few photos since I was at home sick. Here's a few photos from today. Enjoy, these photos are too cute!


Coloring before class.








Photo at home, everything's pink.


Working on balance.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

This morning Stefanie posed for a few St. Patrick’s Day photos. I had plans for us to go out to lunch, but unfortunately I have had the flu for the last few days, and I am still sick. I hope everyone had a fun St. Patrick's Day.

STEFIE'S FIRST DANCE CLASS, MARCH 11, 2008

Today Jon and I took Stefanie to a dance school and she had her first class. We wanted to see if she would enjoy this and she really did. Jon couldn't really take photos so he got one photo and a short video of a little part of the class. Stefanie will be going to dance class twice a week. Jon and I could not stop laughing. This was too cute! Stefanie is wearing the white t-shirt with jeans.

OSCAR MAYER WIENER MOBILE, MARCH 11, 2008

Today we took Stefanie to see the largest hot dog ever! The Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile. Stefanie loves hot dogs so we thought she'd love seeing the wiener mobile. Stefanie got excited when she saw the vehicle and really enjoyed her sticker, and whistle hot dog given to her. Jon and I enjoyed seeing the vehicle for a second time together, only this vehicle was different from the one we saw last time. We really enjoyed sharing this with Stefanie.














Stefie with her new whistle.

EASTER BUNNY PORTRAIT, MARCH 11, 2008

This year Stefanie was lucky once again to see the Easter Bunny by walking right up to him. No lines and it was a perfect visit. Stefanie was so excited to see the Bunny and loved every minute of it. Here's our annual photo. What a difference a year makes, take a look at Stefanie's photos from last year and how much she has grown.


March 11, 2008 - Fashion Place Mall


March 17, 2007 - Walgreens Easter Bunny


March 25, 2007 - Fashion Place Mall

WASATCH INTERNATIONAL PARTY, FEB, 23, 2008

On February 23, 2008 we attended a very special party thrown by our adoption agency in honor of our Chinese facilitator Judy Wu and her son Mark. This was Judy and Mark's first visit to the United States and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to visit with Judy. Unfortunately, Stefanie did not wish to take photos so we don't have any with Stefanie and Judy. On our next visit to China we will be sure to have photos of Stefanie and Judy. We also did not have a chance to get photos of Judy's son Mark.

Wasatch had the party at an ice skating rink and we had a great time catching up with everyone. We had a chance to see our travel mates and Stefie's chinese sister Xanthe Dopp. Stefanie and Xanthe both lived in the same orphanage. It was so great seeing Xanthe and her mom Circe.

Stefanie and I had a chance to ice skate together for the first time. I haven't been on the ice in quite a while and this was Stefanie's first time. I loved it but pulled a muscle in my back carrying Stefie. Stefie decided she would pick her feet up off the ice as we skated around. Maybe I should say Stefie was dragged on the ice. Stefanie and I never fell and she did great for her first time. I think it will be quite a while before we attempt to skate together again. Jon decided to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground and take photos. Unfortunately there was only one spot for photos so he did the best he could. We all had a great time and we were so happy to see Judy and all our friends at Wasatch.


The Amazing Judy Wu & Jon



Stefanie with her forever china sister/travel mate,
Xanthe Dopp.


Daddy putting on Stefie's ice skates.


Stefie on the ice for the first time.




Take a look, Stefie's eyes are closed!