First trip to Disney!!!

This was Madison's first trip to Disney! She had a blast! We went with Madi's Godmother, Jackie, Jackie's husband, Mario, and their son, Ryan. It was great to share this trip with them!!!

Jackie and Ryan on Dumbo!

Here Mario is teaching Ryan how to play pool...or was it the other way around??????

Madi's first time in "It's a small world" and she was in awe of everything!!!!

The Castle was decorated beautifully for the holidays! Madi loved the Castle!!!

Mickey meets Madison!!!!

A year ago Today we arrived in Miami

This is the first picture of our family at our home in Miami and it was exactly one year ago today that we arrived with our little bundle of joy! It seems like just yesterday that we were standing on our front porch taking this picture. We were SOOO exhausted from the long trip, but also, SOOOO very excited to finally be home with Madison!!!
It wasn't until much later that we realized that the day we had arrived in Miami,

November 17, 2007, was National Adoption Day. What a perfect day to get home!
Look at Madison now!
One year later...
We feel so lucky to have her. So lucky that she is part of our family. There could not be a more perfect child for our family. She is everything we ever wished for and so much more!
So, once again, we will have LOTS to be thankful for this coming Thanksgiving!!!

First Halloween for Madi

This is Madi's first time celebrating Halloween! Last year, she was still in Kazakhstan during Halloween. As you can see from the pictures, she was not too crazy about dressing up at first. She didn't really like wearing the hat, but it was just too cute and she just NEEDED to have her antennae!
Don't my Bunny and Ladybug just look adorable???

She soon got the gist of it and was very happy to go knocking on people's doors to collect candy!

Pumpkin Patch

One Year Ago Today...

One year ago today we received these pictures (among others of Madi). I remember the excitement and joy as if it was yesterday. Was it really a year ago already? Have we already gone through a whole year of, what now are, wonderful memories???? I remember looking at her pictures and thinking how incredible it was that we were looking at a picture of OUR DAUGHTER yet we had never met her.

Jose and I talked about how serious she looked in all of her pictures.

Little did we know how Madi would smile ALL of the time...how she would smile the moment they brought her into the room and we met her for the first time...how she always laughs at the silliest things...how she loves being tickled...the pure joy that she is...


Look at her now. Our Madi. The same little face. Still not too much hair. But the smiles don't stop. Madison fills our already happy lives with even more happiness!!! A year ago today we had no idea what was in store for us. What a difference a year makes.

Tennessee Cabin Vacation

After our weekend at the Biltmore, we all headed to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to stay at a log cabin in the mountains!

AT Dollywood in Pigeon Forge

Madi got LOTS and LOTS of love and attention this week!!! She sure is going to miss her entourage when we are back at home!!