Since Friday

On Friday, Hope and I spent our first full day running around together since we've been home. We took care of some errends in Woodbury, had lunch together, and then went for an oil change in Hudson.
Hope enjoying her first Pei Wei meal -


Before going home, we met Daddy after work in Hudson at the new "castle" park. Thanks for the tip Lexi! We had a great time and Hope loved it. Most of the time when we're trying for pictures Hope is pretty reflective and not very quick to smile. We have to use all our best tricks for some of the photos we get. Well, on this afternoon, Hope's smile was glowing. We will for sure have to return to this park! Check her out with her Daddy! (YES Andy, here's Ron)

Saturday afternoon we went to the start and the end of the annual Holmgren/Miller Independence Day bash. What a fun party. We were unable to stay for the duration because we had plans with other friends for dinner, but we were able to stop at the beginning, and again for the fireworks on our way home. Here is Hope chillin' in her ride for the night (we may have to check into one of these - she looks so tired in these pictures, but really, Hope thought this car was the hot ticket.) Also, here we are watching Hope's first fireworks. She wasn't phased by the loud sounds at all - and even clapped and chattered with the bright beautiful lights a couple of times. In spite of her closed eyes, I love the pic of all of us looking up. We thought maybe the fireworks this week would be a bit scary for Hope, but we may have to re-think our plans for the 4th.

So, as I said, we didn't stay for the whole party. We left and met our friends Andy, Betsy, Maria, Elizabeth, and Anna for dinner. Anna came home from China with Hope so they already share a special bond. We had so much fun with their family when we traveled and we were very excited to see them again. Here are some shots of all the girls. Thank you so much for the yummy burgers guys. We can't wait to see you again soon!

Also - here is area a couple shots of Hope's cute patriotic outfit from Aunt Tami and Uncle Brian. Thanks for keeping our daughter in such high fashion...though her daddy isn't too crazy about the tummy showing. ;)






Here is how Hope spent her morning getting ready for church. I know she read and enjoyed every one of those books. She didn't just pull them off the shelf for fun. Not our daughter. She wouldn't do that. :) "OK - so I'm busted. But, I'm still cute. How 'bout readin' me a story, Mom?"





Once she was dressed...here is how sweet she looked this morning. This is the dress that Hope wore in China on her adoption day, June 5. We all wore red, white, and blue that day. I thought I'd better get her in this dress again one more time before she outgrows it. "Why Mom? Why more pictures this morning?" "Because you're just so darn cute, Hope".

The final excitement of the weekend was that Hope was introduced to more of her family. She got to meet Great Grandma Heutmaker and cousins Jen, Greg & Alexa! Let me just say that Hope adores meeting other children so she was pretty excited to see Alexa come along and I think they could have strolled around the yard forever. Hope also thought that Alexa and her Daddy were pretty funny when they were wrestling. I think I cought a small glimpse of our future there.

We had a great weekend! Have a great week everyone.

C-Ya

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(Disclaimer...
I'm not sure what the layout of this post is going to look like. Hope is probably going to be awake in a half hour for a bottle and then I just have to go to bed. So if it is messy and there are photos everywhere...sorry. I'll look at it tomorrow during nap time.)