One Year ago on Jan. 18th she was placed in our arms... This is our family today!

Boy, how things have changed and we LOVE this girl more than anything!

The first three pictures are exactly of Family Day at the one year mark. Eliza's daddy surprised us with a night at Perry Cabin. We spent the night with room service, playing and bonding. Daddy got his girl "fruit on a stick." Eliza's favorite and of course what girl does not like chocolate covered strawberries. We did not get to many pictures of our night but I did get a chance to bond with my daughter. To help with bonding while we were in China we bathed once we got back to the hotel. One year later Eliza and I took a bath together. All together a different experience, playing and laughing in the tub, with lots of splashing. What a difference a year makes. She co-slept with us last night, she stayed up till 11 pm partying then kept waking up in the middle of the night to play. She loved the hotel and most of all spending time with her Mommy and Daddy.

Thanks for Christy from a "Bushel and a Peck" on posting such a great picture of friends and for her candid story and recount of her experience in China. Although, it was different from mine it was great to know her and call her friend. She is an AWESOME mom with lots of adoption insight and the gift of words to express what we can not say.

To all the other families we traveled with, you are truley AMAZING families! We love watching the girls grow up in loving homes. Til we meet again dear friends!

One year ago today we were headed to China for her...

Our little family of two and our Chessie dog were about to become a family of three, this very day last year. We were headed to BWI airport. Here is our family before with anticipation with what was to come.

Winter Fun

We got the chance to see Ice on the Potomac this year. Chinese artist are flown in from China to work around the clock to create an ice winter wonderland. Here are some of the pictures from our fun day.

New Year's Day

We have had a blast spending New Years Day with Grammie and Granddad. Here are some of the pictures from New Years Day and New Years Eve. Unfortunately the only pic we have from New Years Eve is not that good but trust me.... Good times with great friends there needs to be a repeat next year. :)

Happy New Year!

Eliza also had to get a taste of the Reindeer's carrot and Santa's milk. After all cookies, carrots and milk was Eliza approved... we will have to see if Santa showed up....

She set cookies out for Santa and proceeded to eat them. She is too stinkin' cute.

Reading "Night Before Christmas" on Eliza's first Christmas.

Winter Fest in Ocean City 2010

Eliza at her first Middle School formal dance wearing a black dress with silver piping at the empire waist line and her bracelet that her Grammie got her to acessorize.

I have been feeling really guilty about not posting but we have been so busy. I am so VERY blessed this year.

Christmas was AMAZING! It was fun to see her every night get excited about the lights turning on and the tree lighting up. Candy Canes pretty much sums up Eliza's first Christmas. She is in love with them. She loves em'. She loves the minty taste, she loves the shape. She craves them so much that her mouth started to bleed. We had to take them down and get rid of them. She does not have mollers and the dentist does not like hard candy.

Thank you to her Aunt Cathy and Uncle Allen for the clothes and sit n' spin. I love the personalized Carters saying. She is my granted wish. You are such AWESOME god parents.

Can you say that her grandparents spoiled her rotten. And, shucks... lets not talk about her dad. Let's just say that we opened presents for three days because of her dad and grandparents. Can you say her dad spoils her!!!! She loves him so very much and I kind of think he can be a pretty neat guy too.

I know I had a two week "vacation" from work but between me getting pink eye, Eliza getting sick, our washing machine getting "fixed", getting a new washer, and doctor's appointments and the holidays. I think I need a real vacation from my "vacation."

Oh... and the other thing is the Mommy guilt is starting in. I am getting major anxiety over going back to work. Not because of my job. Heavens NO, I love my job but leaving my sweet little girl. I am so.... hooked.

So, on this New Years Eve night.... I looking back at the MOST AMAZING year in my life and looking forward to a fantastic 2011. Happy New Year! The most exciting year and I. AM. SO. BLESSED!

Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving

Richard and I have a lot to be Thankful for this year....Eliza, our parents and their health, the health and happiness of my brothers and each other. Eliza Hayden-Li we are Thankful for all that you have showed us over the last few months... in exactly two days to the day last year we saw your beautiful face and found out that you would be our daughter. We love you little ladybug!

Pumpkin Patch

The cutest little Frog of 2010!