Party time!

I tell you what, January is one birthday loaded month! I always know that when November comes and goes, the gift season is in full swing until February!

Today we celebrated the life of sweet baby Drew. Oh my. This kid has me totally spellbound. I love his hair, I love that right now, the back of his hair line is lopsided due to the fact that he wouldn't stop crying when he got his last haircut. I love how he follows his big brother around and copy cats EVERY sound and action he does and gets so tickled when we notice. I love how he answers every question with a "uh huh", unless you are asking him if he wants his milk in a cup, that is! I love that he still fits nicely into my arms and still rests his head in the crick of my neck when he's tired. I love that every time I hang up the phone, he asks "who dat"? and when I tell him he says "Oh!". I especially love the face he makes every morning after he sneezes and makes a O shape with his lips and then begins to say "Oh, oh, oh". It's like he's saying "oh, mom! hurry...this stuff is running down my lip"!! I seriously could go on and on. I cannot believe I get to know him, hug him, kiss him, tell him I love him. Seriously, I cannot believe it. I am so thankful that God saw fit to allow me this privilege.

Below are some pictures...most of these are for the enjoyment of my family who couldn't be here to share his special day...we missed you all!!!!


Drew's dirt cake...yum!



Party people over here....

Party people over there...


Drew found a worm...



Funny story...this is his 2nd pair of the same shoes...THE BOY LOVES HIS SHOES...wears them all. day. long.

This dude is for hire...need any lawn work, anyone? Give him a call...

Review in pictures...

Yes. It really has been three plus months since my last post. Yes. It will probably happen again. No tomatoes, please.

I really don't know where to "jump" back in so I think I will just let some pictures refresh my memory...


Ah yes, Here we have Drew and I getting ready for the hometown Christmas parade.


Here is why we went to the parade in the first place! My mom and dad came to every school function imaginable when I was in school, not missing one thing...how could we miss their big debut in the parade with their weekend car?! So fun to cheer them down the parade!

Drew's sweet little prayerful hands...He is a hugabug. Periodically, through the day, he'll come to me with folded hands and say, "Pray"? I always think of Steven Curtis Chapman's song when he does this, so we stop every thing and pray. So thankful for the heart of a child!

Malia preparing for Santa's arrival icing cookies.

A family picture where we are all looking at the camera...miracle.

Christmas morning

Christmas morning we decided to add a little intrigue to our day by braving the snow/icy roads to visit my mom and dad. We brought over our turkey to throw in their oven and had great Christmas memories to boot.

Malia happy about her pop the pig game...this is the one thing she BEGGED for...ask me how many times she's played it!

Malia's santa gift...was a hit...for all of us! Right now we are waiting on a part to repair the throttle....we already wore out the first one...

Cute boy with his baba...don't ask....

Malia after she received her award at school. Proud mommy moment...



Cannot believe she did it! While on a trip to Texas, Malia and her cousin decided that getting their ears pierced together would help give them courage. Boy, were they proud! Fun memories.

We took the Cowboy Stadium tour and had a ball on the field.

The boys...

Our man of Adventure turns 5...

Mr. C had his big birthday party today! He had a few friends over to help celebrate his most special day. What a joy to see your child celebrated, and knowing he feels celebrated.

Sweet boy~ you are one amazing kid. You have the patience of the likes I've never seen from a 5 year old. You are kind with both your temper mental sister, and your little brother who insists that all YOUR toys are his. You love with your whole heart and your tenderness melts me to my core. You totally changed my opinion of what raising a son would be like, and having the opportunity to know you makes me a better person. No, you are not perfect, but your heart is pure and ready to take good instruction. I love you my baby bird. You make me so proud!










Cole's holy grail... :-)

Drew is beginning to really expand his vocabulary, so for my amusement I am listing all the things he can say to date:

Momma
Dada
Aeya - for Malia
Bubba - for Cole (really don't love Bubba, but the nickname for big brother just seems to roll off the tongue!)
hot
shoe - the kid is OBSESSED with his shoes.
Nana - my mom
Papa- my dad
Hamma - Chad's mom
Doo - his name
nana - banana
no - for HECK NO
bay - for his blanket
poo poo
pee pee - such fun words to say!
baba - for his bottle (yes...he is still on it)
more
baby
puppy
ball
appull - apple


I *think* that's it. Our lil stinker will turn 20 months on the 26th of September...we are over the moon with our lil guy!

This, that, and everything in between

With Malia in school, it's been just me and the boys. I miss my girl, but having some special time with Cole and Drew has been fun and very, I don 't know, BOYISHEEE...love it!

Cole started homeschool today. He was so excited, so when it was over, he just said...uh, is that it?! Ha! Guess I'm gonna have to dig deeper into the well to keep him interested. It's fun to be doing the same material with Cole as I did with Malia and see the differences between the two. I so love going back over the same stuff I covered with her, makes me realize how far she's really come and how ready Cole is to learn. So fun!

I also turned another year older yesterday...can't say I love the getting older part, but I sure have enjoyed my journey getting here! Chad made arrangements for a fun night out with our whole fam at Shogun's. Who can resist that onion volcano...no one, that's who!

Malia is doing great in school and is getting ready for her big birthday next week. I'm so proud of her!

Here are a few of my fav pics over the last month...






Cole's 1st day of school



Pretty, huh? Thanks Honey!!

1st Day of Second Grade

I simply cannot sum up how I'm feeling...I guess, if you add excitement + nausea + a little of bit of pride = you get one teary eyed momma!

Malia is a full fledged public school student today. As a homeschooling mom, I am a little sad of what I will miss in her day, but I know for the season my girl is in right now, this is exactly what she needs. For now, my biggest decision is what type of cookie to have ready when she hits my front door...come on 4:00 p.m.!!!!

Finally Finalized!

Yesterday we had the honor of making our Drew an "official" Horton and a U.S. citizen! The day was beautiful, we were surrounded by family, our social worker, and some guests from Korea. What a day! Drew didn't know what to make of it all, but he sure hammed it up as we were waiting for out turn! The judge was very kind and accommodating with our large (and loud!) party. Here are some pictures of our special day.

What a joy Drew is to our family. We cannot believe we are done, done! No more paperwork (unless you count our certificate of citizenship!) Our family is complete and it feels soooo good!










Chad and Drew with our Social Worker.

"We Do!!!"


celebration continued at Charleston's!