Thanksgiving 2010

I have been really bad about keeping this blog updated.  It's been a little crazy with the holidays.  I thought I'd catch up on the happenings of the past 3 months.  We took a trip to Kansas for Thanksgiving.  We had so much fun, and it was so nice to spend some time with my parents.  We took Kylie with us, because she really misses grandma and grandpa.  We drove to their house and we could not have asked for better weather for that drive.

Us and mom.  We spent Thanksgiving Day at my Aunt Linda's house.  We had lots of food to share.

My Aunt Linda on the right and my Aunt Denise on the left.  Me and Aunt Denise have an amazing bond.  I really have looked up to her my whole life.

We played Mad Gab.  First time I ever played.  Let me tell you it was super fun.  It was great.   When we were kids, my grandpa always had M&Ms when we would come to visit.  Now my parents have this little guy filled with M&Ms waiting for grandkids to come and eat them.

Just before we left for home Dad made us homemade cinnamon rolls.  They are/were so yummy.

New Additions!!

Yesterday my brother Paul popped the question to his girlfriend Emily.  We thought she might say "yes."  We had our fingers crossed anyway!  She makes him smile, and that is really all that matters!!

This picture was when she went to Kansas to "meet the parents".  It's not too hard to notice right away that they are so very happy.  After the past few years she is like a breath of fresh air!  She fits right in like she's been around us forever. 
Most of all, she has never tried to change who my brother is!  She likes him just as he is... which is good because so do we!

They are like peas and carrots!  It wasn't hard to tell and didn't take us long to know that she was going to be around for a long time.  And to tell you the truth, we are excited to have her become a "sister" in our family!!

Miss Emily, from the bottom of our heart we are so thrilled that you have walked into not only Paul's life but ours as well.  It's as if you were the missing link that he has been searching for.  Thanks for making him smile, and letting him be Paul!!! There just are not enough ways to say, "thank you" for finding our brother again!!

Our Nephew has Arrived!!

Demetrius Robert V.   aka Baby V

At about 5:15 last Sunday night we got the text we had been waiting for for a few days.  It's time for baby V to join our family.  So typically we hopped in the car and headed to the hospital.  We were so excited.  Made it to the hospital in record time.  This is pre baby.  Jen was "more than ready." 

In between visiting Jen and John in the room, we all hung out in the waiting room.  In the green shirt is Aunt Silvia.  She is an amazing member of this family.   After Demetrius arrived she led the family in a prayer of thanks!  What a woman.  I love you Auntie!

Caitlyn is teaching Michelle and I how to play TRASH!  Not sure if I got it completely figured out, but she was definitely a good teacher!  Oh yea and she is sporting her new T-shirt!!!

I'm an Auntie again.  Finally to a little boy.  What more can I say then, "blessed".   He arrived safely to our family at 10:14  Sunday, November 14, 2010.  We loved you for the 9 months we waited for you, and now that you are here we can finally show you all that love!!
April and Paul

Halloween 2010

3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest with the V's

Last night was our annual pumpkin carving contest.  We all gathered at Mom and Dad V's house for pumpkins, food, and family time.  Here I'm working on my second masterpiece. 

It's picture above.  I usually do just one, but the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch were so Awesome!! I had to get 3.  Which means Paul only got to carve one!!  Pretty sure he didn't mind.

Paul's creation!!

Jen and John are about to be new parents.  Pretty sure she is ready for baby "V" to get here, just like the rest of use.  The anticipation is very intense!!

Tim usually dances around and takes pictures.   Alex and him are dancing in this picture.  

Michelle is SUPER creative and she is working on her entry!!

And the WINNER is  Ryan!  For the second year in a row he has won.  

Baby Shower for baby V

In approximately one month we will meet our new nephew Baby V!!  I am sooo Excited!!  Today we celebrated his upcoming arrival with a baby shower for my sister Jennifer.  I'm pretty sure she had an awesome time.  She received so may nice gifts.  Little baby V is definitely off to a good start.
Little man your Uncle Paul & Auntie April can't wait for you to get here!!

These cupcakes were Delicious and my Sister Michelle's cousin David made them. He operates a catering business out of his house.  He specializes in desserts.  His company is called...  Scratch Catering Services.  You can find him at the same www.scratchcateringservices.com!!  Look him up when planning your next event for any special occasion!!

Making the food prior to guest arrival.  Sister's Michelle, and Lori and Mom.  They are so pretty!!  We had all the fixins... chicken salad sandwiches, veggies and dip, my Famous Pasta Salad (so yummy), and chips.  All the food was delicious and we had a little left over for home.

Grandma Tank (enough said)

A little trivia for the mom to be.  One question: How many loads of laundry does a mommy do in one year?

Answer:  330 (YIKES) that's a lot of cycles!!

I may wash that much now.  LOL

She received a lot of nice things today!  Don't you see her Glow.  She is such a beautiful pregnant woman. 

Caitlyn is so excited to be a Big sister!

What a great day.  I can wait until the day I can hold my new nephew!!!

Hurry and get here, please!

Blog

I did a lot of work on the blog today.  There is still much to do, however, I got some of the pages updated.  I also posted a letter to our birth family.  It is a very personal part of us.  We hope all that reads it can feel the love we have for everyone involved in this process.  I'm also excited I figured out how to make a slide show.  We love this new adventure we are embarking on, our family is also very excited!!!

Visit #3 Complete!

We have completed all three home visits with our Amazing Case Worker Julie.  She is such a sweet person.  She really knows how to calm my nerves.  The good news is that in about 3 weeks we will be approved and our profile will go "live".  I have butterflies in my stomach.  I wonder if that is the same feeling our birth mom will feel when she first feels the baby move in her tummy?  We started our process in January, getting things in order.  In May we were sealed in the Denver Temple, a necessary step to turn in our application.  On July 9th we officially turned in our application.  So approximately 3 months to from that day in July.  We are so blessed with amazing family and friends, who have been so supportive.  What would we do without you?  I'm not really sure and glad I don't have to find out.  I will finish the pages on this blog soon I promise.  The pressure is on, and work great with deadlines.  Goodnight!  We love you all for the roles you play in our lives:)