We Moved!

Wow it has been an adventurous last month.  Our family made a huge decision to move to Highlands Ranch, to be closer to David's office.  It has made such a difference in the amount of time that we get to see him.  It was very difficult to leave Gimmy and Grandpa who were only three streets away, and our great friends of over 10 years!  We miss them all tons.  Luckily Highlands Ranch is only a few miles (45) away and it is not difficult to see them, which is great.

This move has also given me the opportunity to start over AGAIN, and try to get the word out to our friends and family about our desire to adopt again.  It has been over three years that we have been searching for another child or children to love and welcome into our forever family.  I like to think that we are in the middle of a very long game of hid and seek!  The children are doing the hiding and David and I are seeking everywhere. And as I tell my close friends, even though David thinks that I am crazy, I would especially welcome finding "two in one hiding place" ;)

The purpose of this blog is to try and share with those who are interested in our little family.  I ask that anyone who is reading this, and might know of a friend of a friend type of situation that could potentially be looking to place their child for adoption might be directed here.  I know that it is very awkward sometimes, however, we do not know who is looking at this site and so therefore, if there was a birth mother that just wanted to look at our family and read a little about us they could do so in a very non-threatning way.  They could also contact us if they felt the need at the e-mail address listed here on the site.

As the years pass by faster and faster, I get concerned about how much longer this could take.  However, I also am truly grateful to be the mother of the two amazing children that David and I have now.  We are truly a blessed family!

I also have the hope to update this at least once a month, to let those interested in our family, know what we are up to.  Please give me a little slack though just in case I am a little late, eventually I do catch up!

We are grateful to all our friends and family who have helped us in the amazing journey to find our forever family and hope that 2012 will be another memorable year!

Love
-Karisa

First snow of the season

I just had to upload these pictures.  The kids and I got out and made our first snowman of the season.  I know, I know, he looks pretty pathetic.  We could not find any rocks for the mouth, they were buried in too much snow, and the carrot would not go into the head.  I think that it was too thick, and the head was too dense.  The best part, at least for the kids, was to go back inside after we were done playing and eating way too much snow, and have some hot chocolate with marshmallows!  I love the winters here in Colorado!  I love the snow!   

Halloween

Every year for Halloween, David has a goal to get more candy than the last year.  Why I do not know, we never finish eating it and I usually throw at least half of it away around Valentines day!  I think that this year we reached over 18 pounds of candy!  James and Addy had tons of fun this year, David took them to see two houses that are next to each other in our neighborhood, that literally build pirate ships in their front yard and have battles between the two of them, they open up for all the kids to walk through the ships and pass out some amazing treats!  They were featured on our local news this year (to give you an idea of the magnitude of their displays).  The kids also have a tradition that the first house that they visit is our neighbor Mrs. Gail.  She is a wonderful lady and the kids love to see her and her dogs.

Adaley and her soccer debut

I love watching beginning sports!  Adaley decided to play soccer this fall, I think because she just wanted to run around and wear cool socks!  She had a great time, and actually scored a few goals.  Dad stood by the sidelines and helped count the goals to find out who really won. (At that age they do not declare a winner).  She loved it and I loved watching her.  These great kids are growing up so fast!

Racing in Utah

This is the second year in a row that the family and I have gone to Park City, Ut to participate in an all girls half marathon. My great great nieces, invited me to run with them. Last year was beautiful weather and perfect conditions, this year it was snowing and let's just say that the race directors, could use some help in the event organization area! It was incredibly cold and the only way to stay warm was to run as fast as you could! It ended up OK, I got a PR! I could not feel my feet and toes for the first three miles, but again I got a PR! Maybe next year (If I do it again) will be a PR and better weather.

While in Utah, we took the kids to see Aunt Karen and Uncle Don, and visited Temple Square. They kids really thought it was cool to see the large Christus and the painting of the heavens.

First Day of School

I have tried to take pictures each year of the kids, on their first day of school. Unfortunately, I forgot to take one of James until I was in the car, dropping him off. Yikes! Maybe one day I will remember everything that I keep forgetting! James is now in 3rd grade and Adaley is officially in Pre-K. They love school and enjoy learning!

Washington

On the last leg of our vacation this summer, we went to Washington to visit David's sister and her family. Quite a few of the Heninger family came to spend the 4th of July up there. We had a great time and the kids did not know what to do with themselves! There was so much space and room to run around. Addy went motorcycle riding with her cousin Jarrett, James was able to dig in the dirt from dawn till dusk. Dad taught James how to shoot a .22 pistol and rifle. Both of them were thrilled. I think that all of our necks got a few shades redder that day!

Yellowstone

On the last day of our time in Wyoming, before we drove to Washington we decided to take the scenic route and drive through Yellowstone. The kids thought it was so cool to see Old Faithful. Stoping and watching a black bear on the side of the road was pretty cool too! We were right next to the car when I took this image and as you can see I did not have a great zoom lens on my camera. All we were really concerned about was being able to run faster than that guy!!!

Horseback Riding

Need, I say more! This was an absolutely amazing day. We were blessed to be able to find a trail ride that would allow 4 year olds to ride. Because of the extensive rain and snow just weeks before we arrived here in Jackson Hole, we had the amazing experience of seeing all the amazing wildflowers in bloom. The mountains were covered in all kinds of flowers and one of my favorites, the Lupine. It's purple flowers made some of the fields look like they were a sea of purple. I was truly taken back by the majesty of it all.

Alpine Slide and Mini Golf

Day two we decided to check out more attractions, and we found a great alpine slide and mini golf at a ski resort. The weather was unbelievable and we had such a fun time. James

and I raced down the mountain on tracks that were next to each other. Addy and I rode in one cart and James in the other. Adaley had hold of the brakes, so James obviously won, but I was proud of Addy she really did "let-er-rip"!

Chuckwagon

Did anyone say Dinner!

After a fun day of hiking, we were driving around looking for a place to eat, when we came upon this chuck wagon. We were able to get tickets just in time to catch the wagon tra

in. The horses were amazing and huge, the wagons too were so big. It really gave me an different perspective of all the pioneers that traveled west in "transportation" like this, and I honestly think that we were riding in a "Cadillac". I can even imagine how hard

it was for those who pulled their own carts. After dinner of BBQ beef, beans and hot chocolate, we were treated to a concert by the cowboys. It was wonderful.

The Grand Tetons

Earlier, in July, we took the kids on a little family vacation to the Grand Tetons. I have never seen so much beauty! We had so much fun. Because their had been so much rain in the spring the rivers were quite swollen. We had plann

ed to go on a boat ride, but it was cancelled because of safety concerns. No matter, we decided to go hike around one of the lakes and take a short boat ride to an amazing waterfall.

Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa

Having grandparents so close to us the kids are blessed to do some fun things with them quite often. They usually go to the Denver Zoo with them a few times a year. I sometimes wonder if they know that there are any animals at the zoo or if the only attractions are a merry-go-round and a train. I think that the animals are just a bonus.

Taekwondo!!

James did an outstanding job with his Taekwondo! We are so proud of him. It is so cool to see how focused he is, when he is "in the zone"

My Birthday

I usually will not post about this event, however it was tons of fun. The kids had the day off from school and David and I decided to go to Rocky Mountain National Park and spend the day up there. It was fantastic, we had a great day and I had one of the best birthday's ever!