A new member of the family!!!!

My sister Lisa and brother-in-law Travis became parents today!!!! Their adoption of baby Liya Ephrata from Ethiopia became legal today and we couldn't be happier!!! She is beautiful, roly poly, and cute as a bug! We can't wait to meet her in about a month when they go to get her and bring her home. Lisa and Travis, we are so so so happy for you!

Spring picnic

We did a little car washing and picnic-ing last weekend in our warm warm spring weather. Here are a few pictures to share.

Charlotte in her new (used) red swim suit. Charlotte's favorite color is red. We went garage sale-ing with Grandma Cindy on Saturday, and when I asked Charlotte what kind of swim suit we should look for, she of course answered "A red one!" Imagine our excitement when we found one!

She had lots of fun helping Daddy.

Chillin' in the sunshine, eating a carrot on our picnic. She spent a long time arranging and rearranging her sweater and a diaper on the grass to make the perfect bed.

Cool baby!

It was a great day for a picnic!

Some springtime pictures of Miss Charlotte

What's better to do on a warm sunny spring day than play outside at Grandpa and Grandma's house?

Charlotte and Scruffy spending some quality time together. Yes, he's still alive. 15 or 16 years old and still alive. But barely.

She is so happy to be swinging again after a long winter. Here she is teaching one of her kitties the fine art of swinging.

I'm not entirely sure what she is doing here, but it has to do with water so she's happy.

The only thing more fun than a big bucket full of water is playing in it with very few clothes on.

Love the belly hanging over the pants.

Strategic hiding spot for squirting unsuspecting passersby. Kristi's aunt Helen made this teepee when Kristi and her sisters were little. It provided years of fun!

It's a good thing she had that squirtgun to give her a drink when she got thirsty!

Our beautiful girl.

Blame it on the dog or a barking spider

Here's a snapshot of the influence Grandpa Mark has had on Charlotte.

The other day she tooted on the swing.
Charlotte: Thunder!
Grandpa: What?! That wasn't thunder!
Charlotte: It was a duck!
Grandpa: A duck?!
Charlotte: Excuse me.

An interesting birthday

Kristi: It was my birthday was on Friday. Unfortunately I had to be on call for hospital Pediatrics. A birthday I won't forget....

Woke up too early for a birthday, and too early for breakfast in bed (though Matt did sing "Happy Birthday" at 5:45 am in bed).... Started a new rotation where I don't know what is going on or how to do anything.... Admitted a bunch of sick kiddos to the hospital..... Got a bunch of phone messages all day from friends and family wishing me a happy birthday.... Did a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) on an eight year old at midnight.... Took care of a baby who was having respiratory distress and almost had to send him to the Intensive Care Unit.... Quick ran over to the other hospital across town to deliver a baby at 2 am while my senior pediatrics resident watched the sick kids for me..... Went back to the other hospital and admitted another sick kid to the hospital.... Didn't sleep a wink.... Ate the delicious birthday bars my mom sent with Matt for a middle of the night snack as I wrote my notes, then some more for breakfast as I continued to write notes, then some more for lunch as I was still writing notes.... Still at the hospital.... Everyone on my team now finds out it was my birthday yesterday (since it is now April 3) and wishes me a "Happy Birthday" and comments on how it's too bad I had to be on call on my birthday.... Finally finish work and walk home in the sunshine.... Crash into bed at 2 pm.... Happy Birthday to me!!! Hopefully many more birthdays to come, but hopefully not too many more like this....

A few pictures

A couple of funny things she's said recently that I don't want to forget:
While eating something spicy: "Sompins (something is) wrong with my yips! (lips)"
Scruffy rode in the back of the car next to her one day. She commented that he was stinky, then said "He should NOT ride back here with me!"
Playing school with her animals: "Children, do you know your ABCs?"

Charlotte in the robot costume that daddy made for her. She does a killer robot voice.

Sending off the nippies to her new cousin!

It's spring time!

Future florist?

What a cheerful cheerful little Charlotte.