Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Lauren!  We celebrated with something all three year-olds love.  Ice cream!

She even insisted that doggie have some ice-cream!  Lately doggie has been going with us everywhere.  Even to daycare. 

She was mesmerized by the candles as we had only been practicing with one candle!  When we ask her how old she is, she says, "Three!" (but holds up five fingers!)

Happy Birthday Lauren!  We love you to the China Moon and back!  We are so proud of what you have accomplished and how you have grown in your short time here.  We could not imagine life without you. We look forward to more laughter, love, and adventures with our three year old!

Dancing Girls! (and Oom Aldi visits)

Sunday we went to the Grove to meet up with oom Aldi who came to visit at the end of his business trip.  After lunch the girls had a surprise as there was an outdoor concert.  As soon as Lauren heard the music, she started her jumping dance.   Ava soon followed suit. 

Although it was short, we had a nice visit with oom Aldi.  Come back soon oom Aldi!

And after all the dancing, here she is 5 minutes into the car ride home.

One hot saturday

The weather has been extremely hot, even in Long Beach.  Since we don't have an air conditioner at home, Lauren and I decided to escape a few hours of the heat and hang out at Barnes and Noble. 

She's cracking up because when you push on the wheel the book makes a laughing ghost sound.

 

Of course a treat from Starbucks which included a "cuppy cake" didn't hurt either.

And I think she must've said "yummy" after every other bite!

10 months home!

We have reached double digits in the number of months that Lauren has been home.  10 months home marked the end of our summer.  Not the summer heat though! So we celebrated by spending time in the pool to keep cool. 

After swimming we went with the cousins to eat dinner.  Lauren insisted on wearing her sunglasses like all the adults were wearing. 

And who can resist frozen yogurt on a hot day?  Lauren now says, "I do, I do!" when we ask, "Who wants ice cream?"  Or sometimes to remind us she asks the question and answers herself. 

Happy 10 months home baby girl!  We love you to the moon and back!

Sunday in Seal Beach