Rest of April Recap

Brielle "lost" her 1st tooth, but it wasn't the way we had hoped. Poor little girl came home from China with lots of cavities.  One of the teeth that was capped about a year ago became abscessed so she had to have it pulled. (She fell and scratched her cheek the day before which is why her left cheek looks shiny.)

She was a little worried the tooth fairy wouldn't find her sleeping in mommy & daddy's room! You can see a little of the pixie dust on the edge of the green blanket. 😊  (The girls camped out in our room while Alex was at the Together for the Gospel conference.)

Beilyn was so excited for her!

Brynna went to Camp Read-A-Lot at school one night.  She has become quite an avid reader in the last year.  I often have to pull her nose out of a book. She recently spent a Sunday afternoon reading for 4+ hours, such a change from the girl I used to have to beg to get her reading time in each week.

Kennedy & Brynna

Alaina, Karter, Kennedy, and Brynna

A couple of Fridays ago, Aunt Tracee and the twins didn't have school so they came down to play. That night, the girls invited Sydney & Addie over for a sleepover.  They tried out some new culinary options they found in the Family Fun magazine.

Making mini strombolis

Uh-oh!!  We didn't hold the lid down tight enough when trying to make the blue raspberry slushies!

Soaking up these easy Friday evenings when all of my girls still want to hang out at home.  Wish I could freeze time.

My sweet girls ready for church one morning.  Braylee had gone early with Alex. 

That day in Sunday School, we talked about how God created all men in His image. We may look differently on the outside but we are really all the same inside.  We are all sinners in need of a Savior. 

That afternoon, the girls played in the sprinkler and Beilyn fell asleep in the sun. A view into the teenage years. :)

She can finally wear the 12 mo hat Mamaw bought her when we brought her home.

We are loving all of the sunshine! Playing outside is so good for Beilyn to burn off energy too! :)

4 Years of Forever {Brielle's Gotcha/Adoption day!}

April 23rd marked four years with our Brielle AnnaMeng. I wish everyone could meet this kid. She is just a joy to be around and love on.  She is smart, hilarious, slightly impatient, and super silly. And beautiful, so beautiful. Inside and out. From the moment she walked through our hotel room door on that sunny day in Nanchang, she captured our hearts forever.

 Happy 4 years in your Forever Family, Xin Meng! 

1st photo we ever saw of her (9 months), Gotcha/Adoption day (18 months), and last Fall (5 years)

She requested Chinese take out for dinner.

So funny. Gramma commented on why Braylee was eating a Lunchable. Braylee said she doesn't really like Chinese. Brielle said, "What?!? You don't like Chinese? But I'm Chinese!!"  Braylee quickly explained that she loves Chinese people, she just doesn't like Chinese food. 😄  

She might be the middle sister, but she gets plenty of attention with her sassiness and funny comments. :)

Pappy & Gramma came over to celebrate with us too!

We sang "Happy Gotcha Day" to her! I love that she chose to wear this "happy" shirt on her special day.  Her Chinese name Xin means happy!

It's our tradition to try on Gotcha Day clothes each year. They are getting pretty short and snug!

Laughing about the split pants.

Thankful for our Brielle!

Bria update {April}

Our little Bria is such a joy! She is growing and changing so quickly.  She loves playing with her toes, started sitting, and then the following day started rolling back to belly!  Each new milestone is a little bittersweet. It's so fun to watch her do new things, but it's also a little sad that these are our last "firsts" with a baby.

April 2nd - She's a drooler. 😊

April 3rd - Showing interest in toys now

She was cracking me up with her tongue. 😄

Big sisters with her at her 4 month check up. 

April 9th - Loving the exersaucer

April 16 - Playing with her big sisters and practicing her sitting skills

How is she this big already?!

I love hearing her sisters cheer for her in the video.

April 17th - Enjoying the sunshine

Then she showed us how she could roll from back to belly!

April 19th - More time outside, wearing the hat we bought for Beilyn in China

April 22nd - Visiting with Gramma

April 24th - Back on April 21st, 2004, Alex and I had just found out we were expecting our 1st baby girl and bought this dress for her! Almost exactly 12 years later, our 5th daughter wore that same dress to church.  So sweet. ♥

Our precious Bria. Love her to pieces.