GOTCHA DAY #4!!!

Jan. 29th was Cali's 4th GOTCHA DAY!!! This is the special day when the Chinese people placed Cali in our arms forever!!! We will never forget that day!!! Lots of  happy tears were shed! Each year we celebrate with something special! This year Cali wanted to get her ears pierced and go to Bo Lings, Chinese restaurant! Her final request was to watch Secretariat and have Red Velvet cake. We had such a fun day! Cali, you have added so much "spice" to our family! Thank you for always being yourself and making our lives brighter! You'll forever be our little LIU!

LOTS of HAPPY TEARS!!!

We have our little girl!!!

Sleeping peacefully... within 20 min. of being placed in my arms!

Back at the hotel getting-to-know each other!

4 years later, she's a BIG girl!

Cali, the brave!

"Oh yeah, I like!"

"These are my piercing friends!"

Chinese at Bo Lings!

The boys

The girls

"I am so proud of myself!"

Check me out!

Cali 4 years later in her GOTCHA DAY outfit! My she's grown!

Forever buddies...so glad we "gotcha" both!

FOUR blessed years!

A special day...WE LOVE YOU, CALI LIU!

38 is Great!

For my birthday I got the greatest gift, a SNOW DAY, which means a day at home with the kids and pjs all day!!!! What a beautiful sight it was! The kids and I spent time outside in the snow! Cade and Cali made me "breakfast for dinner". Cader played Happy Birthday to me on the guitar while Cali played her own version on her xylophone! It was the PERFECT birthday! You sure know how to make me feel special!

What a beautiful sight to see, especially on my birthday! SNOW DAY!

Happy Birthday to me!

I am blessed, pride and joy!

Sledding fun!

Best buddies!

If you fall off the sled, you might as well make a snow angel!

Our little old man, Kodi (almost 14)! He still loves the snow!

Let's play a game on the computer, Daddy!

Making my special birthday dinner!

Professional Flipper

singing Happy Birthday in their own way

Adam's Birthday/Snow Day/Sickness...

The McGinness household has been very busy! We celebrated January birthdays with Adam's parents on Adam's birthday, January 9th!  Marcie's birthday is coming up on the 12th and mine the 20th! It's nice to have one big celebration for all of us.

We celebrated Adam's 38th birthday on Sunday, January 9th! It was a special day for him! It's amazing to think that Adam and I have celebrated 20 years of birthdays together! Where does the time go? I love you Adam! You are a VERY special person in so many ways!

The best part of Adam's birthday was when Cade played Happy Birthday for him on his guitar! It was a complete surprise for Adam and definitely brought tears to everyone's eyes! The look on Adam's face was priceless when Cade started playing the song. What a great memory! We are so proud of Cader's hard work!

The past two days we've had snow days! I will never complain of a snow day! I have no desire to be out in the bad weather! I still get the excitement (as I remember as a child) when the phone rings, tv displays our district, and now when I receive a text. To me, it is special time for me to put other things aside and spend quality time with the kiddos! However, these past 2 days haven't been what they usually are. Cali came down with a fever and cough Sunday night. It has been great that I have been able to be with her and not worry about work. Cade, on the other hand, went sledding with uncle Kyle and cousin Taylor at a Platte City favorite place! Cali is better today! I hope to make some cookies with the kiddos!

 Cali made Adam his favorite cake for his birthday- Angel food cake with pink icing!

She was so proud of her baking ability!

January birthday celebration at Mike/Cheryl's (Pop and Boca's)!

Cali Liu, BIRTHDAY BOY, and Taylor

Pop, BIRTHDAY BOY, and Cader

Cali Liu and Cader are so proud of the birthday cards they made Daddy!

The McGinness Crew

I love my Homeys!!!

Cade playing HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Adam! Lots of happy tears...

"Check out the card I made you, Daddy!"

Cade sporting his sledding gear! What a cool dude!

Nothing says "Snow Day" like hot chocolate!

Sick little Liu watching Bubby leave for sledding...

Playing a game of Picutreka as a family! What a fun, new game we've discovered!

Daddy's specialty- making popcorn the good 'ol fashion way!

Notice his helper, little Liu!!!

Making sure there are few kernels...and lots of butter! Mmm! Tasty!

End of 2010/Happy New Year!!!

What great after-Christmas activities and New Year's fun! Our week was full of so much fun! We spent most of our days at home then our nights were full! The week went by so fast as it usually does. We had guitar lessons, soccer for Cader (4 games)  including a soccer game on the professional Comets soccer field which was so cool! Cali had a playdate with her little Chinese friend, Bella. We made a Build-a-Bear bear that Cali received as a gift. The weather was even nice enough for the kids to be outside. We ended our break with Cader having some buddies over to bring in the new year (after a New Year's Eve soccer game)!
Our family wishes you the very best in 2011!

 Cali making her bear! What a neat gift!!!

 Giving a "forever" kiss to my bear's heart!

"My bear is my best friend and it's name is Christmas!"

 Cali's buddy, Bella!

 Cade's team playing at the soccer dome prior to Comet's game!

 Parker, Cader, and Gavin taking in the Comet's game!

 Cade and Cali made arrows for daddy coming down the driveway...

 This is what Adam saw as he pulled in... SO SWEET and their own idea!

 Cade and Cali enjoying time outside! We love our cul-de-sac!

 Cali dressing her part as she plays a role in the movie Mama Mia!

 Parker, Cade, and Noah playing games at dinner!

 Bring out the "kids" wine (grape juice) for the new year!

 The countdown...

 Happy New Year!!!

 Adam and little Liu celebrating... Nice hat, Cali!

Let's celebrate a new year! May you be blessed in 2011!

(Cali's quite the photographer!)