Holly's adoption was finalized yesterday. When Mike got home at 9 PM we celebrated his 65th Birthday and Holly's adoption with Chinese food, always a big hit,  and Birthday cake from Publix, the best bakery in town.

Lunch in Mexico

I can't believe she ate the whole thing!

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

MERRY

 CHRISTMAS

&

HAPPY

NEW YEAR!

We have been crazy busy around here the last 8 weeks and I have missed posting. We took the pack to Disney the week before Christmas. Too much, I had to cut our vacation short because I needed more time to finish Christmas shopping.  I'm hoping to be more organized next year, but...I've had decades of practice and still end up shopping the morning of Christmas Eve, what makes me think next year will be any better?  I think I'll start shopping in the summer and wrap as I buy.  It's the wrapping that kills you!

  I got a new laptop a few weeks ago (my first) and can't get used to it. I don;t like the keyboard.  I miss my old dinosaur computer.

HAPPY

 65th

 BIRTHDAY 

to my sweetie

What a great dad he is, he spent his 65th birthday much like his 60th, alone on a plane completing an adoption.

5 years ago today Mike left Vietnam with 15 month old Austin and brought him home while I stayed behind and waited for 3 month old Paisley's paperwork to be completed.  Today he spent his 65th birthday on a plane completing our final adoption. 

WE HAVE A NEW DAUGHTER!

She is 15 yrs old and from China. What a little sweetheart she is. We are all in love with her.

WHHHAAAAAAA :(....

It's getting worse.

What a MESS!

I hate packing

&

Moving!!!

OH! what a mess we've made.

My house looks like a bomb went off. NO PHOTOS!! I guess there's no turning back now. We're committed! (maybe that should read we NEED committed)
We're at 15 extra-large boxes and counting just in the playroom. Ya think they may have too much? It's mostly the girls dolls...I did throw ONE away. Of course that's not counting the 6 big plastic containers the boys have for Thomas trains and LEGOS! And I have to pay someone to move all this junk "somewhere".
There are 20 boxes of varying sizes staring at me from the foyer. I guess they won't pack themselves.
Time to get the kids dressed for Sunday School.

Lot's of irons in the fire right now.
Nothing I can post about, but BIG changes are coming for the Poko Pack. We're packing up Halloween decorations today along with "other" stuff. The girls toys, which are multiplying like mad are getting packed too. Santa is coming so we can box up lots of things and get rid of the clutter. This house is just WAY TOO SMALL!
Christmas shopping has started and I have no where to hide it ;( Gotta make some room.
The big girls are decluttering their rooms. My goodness the junk we found in the closets. Lots of games with missing pieces bit the dust last night just in time for garbage day.
Laundry, Laundry. Laundry...a never ending supply. It's Saturday and I have helpers today.
I hear Mike calling so I better run or he will sit down and start watching SyFy Channel and that will be the end of packing.

NOT TO BE OUTDONE BY LITTLE KIDS

MAMA'S LOOT

oh how I love

TARGET

after a Holiday!

WOO-HOO! YEAH! YIPPEE-SKIPPEE! THANK GOODNESS! YEE-HAA!

It's

NOVEMBER

time to start

decorating

for

CHRISTMAS!

Let the music begin!

The big girls decided they needed some candy too. Megan thought she was too "mature" to Trick or Treat and stayed home to pass out candy...boy was she rethinking THAT decision when she saw what the girls brought home...and we all know they won't share!

Emma's Loot

What could be better

Candy & Boys

ummm watch it Mary

Dad says NO BOYS