Happy Adoption Day- Take 2

Happy Adoption Day, Rylie!!!

One year ago today, we stood in a court in Astana, Kazakhstan and were officially named as Rylie's parents.

This year, we are sort of celebrating the season of Rylie. We celebrated October 23rd just the 3 of us, we celebrated today at Rylie's school, and at the end of the month, we will be celebrating the one year anniversary of Rylie's arrival home with our family. Yes, somewhat indulgent... Needless to say, we will continue to mark each of these days over the years, but October 23rd will remain the true celebration.

Adam and I gave Rylie her first adoption day gift- a Kazakh doll we brought home with us. We brought home gifts for Rylie to have each year on adoption day. We only got for the first few years, so the plan is to go back before we use up all of the gifts!

This is Rylie's "say cheese" pose. She says, "Cheese!" and makes this totally cheesy face. I love it!

Today, my Mom and I brought cookies with Kazakh flags to Rylie's class. Rylie was so excited about the cookies. She kept talking about them last night and this morning. It seemed as though everyone enjoyed themselves.

Rylie and all of her friends enjoying morning snack.

Have I mentioned that Rylie has such a sweet tooth!

We ordered little Kazakh flags to put in the cookies, but sadly they did not arrive in time. We printed these off the computer and made them with toothpicks. The blue was completely the wrong shade, but thankfully no one knew the difference!

In case I haven't mentioned this before, we absolutely ADORE Rylie's teachers. She has been in their room since just before her first birthday. They are two of the sweetest, most caring women I have ever met. Rylie really loves them and they love her. This morning, they gave Rylie a cabbage patch kid with long, dark pigtails and beautiful almond shaped eyes. It was so sweet and thoughtful.

Other stuff...

Last weekend I came back from the movies with my Mom and Rylie and Daddy had built a huge fort using all of the cushions from the various couches and chairs in our house. Rylie was so proud of her fort!

Sitting in her fort.

And check out Rylie's new hat and mittens. Despite the fact that we live in Phoenix, the evenings actually do get pretty chilly. Given how much time we spend at the park in the early morning and late afternoons, we got Rylie a hat and mittens. The fact that Dora is on them seemed to help in the appeal.

Rylie modeling "Yayie's Dadoh hat." (translation- Rylie's Dora hat.)

Love to everyone...