It was a perfect spring day, not too hot, not too breezy. Daddy Ken wanted to get out in the yard and start his favorite home outdoor activity of gardening. If Daddy Ken is in the backyard, there goes Danielle. She likes to help or at least be a part of the fun. I am working on old photos my parents gave me when Danielle comes into the house looking for a bathing suit that shows her belly button. (Isn't she a bit young to be worrying about that??) It turns out she is going to jump through and around the sprinkler for the first time. So, I leave the old photos and go to make some new ones. She had a blast.

I am experimenting with a new album format. In the album, click on the bottom corner and drag to turn the page.

We have a new friend that we met on the website who is from South Africa. Her name is Linsey and she found our page a while back via some other websites. Our site is open to anyone out there in internet land who wishes to visit and it's always interesting to find out where are visitors are from and learn a little more about them. Linsey decided she wanted to send a little gift to Danielle so that she would have something from South Africa. After what seemed like forever, the package arrived. In it were lots and lots of really thoughtful girly stuff from Linsey. The photo album is of Danielle and I opening the package and reading the letter Linsey wrote. It is so awesome to know there are people literally all over the world who are supportive of our family and of our charming and beautiful little angel. Click on the froggy-photo to see the album. Oh, we were all down with the flu which would account for the groggy looks and the messy hair. We were all laying low that week! Cheers!

We had visitors this weekend from out of State. They came to help us celebrate Ken's 42nd Birthday! Yikes, that's old! Auntie Brenda came from Phoenix and Auntie Darla came from Albuquerque. Bad weather prevented the girls from Santa Barbara from coming up. We missed them. On Friday night we went to Dave and Busters and had a great time! Here are some of the Fantasy Photos we took while we were there.

I was getting ready to post pics from our recent trip to Cancun when I realized that we were very bad photographers in Cancun. Shame, shame. Nonetheless, I wanted to post a few pictures of Danielle with her Mexico hair braids. They were adorable. They lasted about 2 weeks and then got too loose so we had to talk them out. No, Daddy Ken did not put them in and NO, Daddy Ken will not learn how.....not in the very near future, at least:) There were not than many pics to choose from so I combined the Cancun pics with some early December Christmas prep. We took Danielle to a local nursery to look for a tree and then to Aunt Lynette's and Uncle Dave's house to feed the animals and fetch the chicken eggs. As usual, she had a blast and didn't want to leave. Lucky for her, our first of several Xmas parties is at Dave and Lynette's....and I think we're spending the night! Enjoy the photos.

So, I'm trying to get better so here's another post. I know, I know. You're probably thinking OMG!! He's losing his mind. That makes 2 posts in 2 weeks!! Well, believe it, it's true. I couldn't help myself!

Danielle had her picture taken at school a couple of weeks ago. The picture was great so I just had to share it. I think the best thing about the pictures was that it really showed the changes that have taken place since last years picture. Last years pic was so childish and chubby and babyish and this year, her looks are more refined and she looks like such a big girl! I've included a small album....OK, last years pic and this years pic, so that you all can see at least the visual changes.

In addition to the visual changes, she really has changed a lot in her understanding of things going on around her. We can actually talk to her at our level. Just a few days ago, she pointed something out to me. I don't remember exactly what it was but I do remember thinking that it was mighty observant of her so I responded by saying "You're right honey, that is cute!".

We are off to Cancun for a much needed Thanksgiving holiday with family. We are all looking forward to having a break and just enjoying some R&R. I'm sure there will be more pictures soon, maybe even a video! Of course, that's assuming I remember how to edit video:(

Updates at last!! Here is the latest on Danielle. She continues to grow and grow. She is up to about 38 inches and still about 34ish lbs. She is still doing gymnastics, tap and ballet. Her coordination has improved immensely from her gymnastics class. Over the summer, we couldn't get her on a trampoline and now we can get her off. In school, she continues to learn really cute songs and is writing her letters. Her vocabulary has also improved (although she was already doing really well in that department). In the mornings, we write a 3-letter word on her chalkboard and help her sound it out. She actually does really well on her own but occasionally needs a little help.

Danielle's Aunt Jessica was recently out for a visit. They were inseparable all weekend and it was obvious that she really enjoyed spending time with her Aunt. We. also, enjoyed having her visit. Auntie Jessice needs to come back out more often :)

This year, we decided to ask Danielle what she wanted to be for Halloween. She quickly told us that she wanted to be Cinderella. Despite all my attempts, I could not get her to change her mind. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want her to change her mind. I also did not want to buy her the costume only to have her change her mind a week later! So, Cinderalla it was. The photo album includes pictures from the pumpkin patch with Auntie Jessica, the annual Halloween party at Sareena's house and her Halloween 'festivities' at school. Click on her photo above or here to see the photos.

Lastly, last year, I included the previous years pic at the pumpkin patch measuring stick. This year, I forgot to add the previous years pics to the album. To view last years album, go here.

Ok, ok, I know I said I was back. It's been a busy summer full of ups and downs and I just havn't found the time. Long story short, we were all back in New Mexico for all of June and part of July for the birth of Danielle's little sister! The plan was for us to bring her back home with us as the newest member of our family. Sadly, it didn't work out. We were all saddened by her mommy's decision but, ultimately, these are the risks we have to take. Believe me, we've heard it all, said it all, seen it all and I'm pretty sure we smelled it all too. It's ok, really, it is. We're glad we are able to help provide a bright future for Danielle and she really is completely, totally awesome. Life is "still" good.

So, moving on. While back in Albuquerque, we spent lots of time with lots of our friends and family. Attached is a photo album of our trip which includes fishing with Auntie's Darla and Shelley, fun at the splashpark with Emma, Megan, Paige and their Mommy Beth, horseback riding fun at Uncle Dave's and lots more. At Uncle Dave's, she met her Aunt Kelly and her cousins Matt, Kyle and Bailey for the first time. No offense boys, but it's all about Bailey. Danielle can't wait until Novermber when we go on vacation with "Bailey". Danielle's latest involvement is ballet and tap. Danielle already had an obsession with big, poofy skirts. Now it's the tutu. Very cute. Click on her photo above or here to see the photos.

I am back with a renewed commitment to posting photos on a regular basis. I'm just a little embarassed that we have only had 2 posts for the year and so many things have happened. It's not really an excuse but, when I post an entry, I copy one of the previous entries and then edit it. When I copied this entry, I realized that I had started a post in early February about Danielle's upcoming birthday but never finished it. So, there was intent. The post went something like this.

"We are about to celebrate Danielle's 3rd birthday and are just amazed at how quickly time goes by. There are the ever-present little changes, constant reminders that she's not a baby anymore:( It's really hard to pinpoint all the little changes individually but when you see pictures from the month before, she looks noticeably different. As a result, we have put a halt to any and all unauthorized changes from now on....."

Well, the same goes for now. Little tiny changes all the time. She is so hilarious too. Our cat, Andy, was yowling for something and she walked up to him and hugged him and said "that's ok little fella, you're ok". Then there was the time she noticed a small cut on my finger and asked "Are you ok Sweetie?". Too cute. Lastly, the time we were at the car dealership trying to buy a car. She was a little bored and a lot hyper and responded rather harshly to a request to behave. In my sternest voice I reminder her that that was not acceptable to which she replied, rather sheepishly, "You silly daddy, I love you!". The sad part about that one is that I think she knew exactly what she was doing. It didn't work but she was definitely trying to pull a fast one!

So, today was the Spring Dance at her school. She was to wear her "party dress" and could bring her favorite party CD. We picked out a cute sun dress for her to wear. She put on her sunglasses and it was just too much to pass up. I quickly pulled out the camera and snapped a few shots before racing off to preschool. And here they are! Click on her photo above or here to see the photos.

We wanted to take Danielle to Tahoe before the last of the snow melted. We were very lucky. While we were there, they had one of the three biggest snowstorms all winter. Danielle had a lot of fun in the snow. She like the sledding. She would reach the bottom and just say "Again!". We stayed at MontBleau. The Casino was remodled and it looks really nice, but the food was terrible. All in all, it was a good time.

So, 2006 is gone and we're off to a great 2007. We had a nice quiet New Years Eve and took Danielle to the park on New Years Day. As usual, she had a great time and was so exhausted when we were done that she fell asleep in the car, poor little bug. As seen in the pictures, she has no fear when it comes to heights. She'll be 3 in a few short weeks and we can hardly believe it. In the cover picture, she's wearing a beautiful blue sweater given to her for Christmas by a friend of mine from work. Thanks Cindy, you have impeccable taste!!

Desperately trying to get one last post in for the year, I quickly shoved a backlog of photos into the latest album for you all to enjoy. But first, an update on Danielle. She is now 35 inches tall and about 32 pounds and people all around her are just amazed by how much she talks. Preschool continues to be an absolute delight. She has learned so many new songs and has made lots of new friends. She knows all the main colors and some shapes and counts to ten in both English and Spanish. She is completely done with the Diapers both in the daytime and at night and recently said goodbye to the Binky.

Now, on to Christmas. I just have to say, as much as I love Christmas, it is at least 10 times better with a youngster in the house. Thanks in part to her preschool, Danielle now understands all there is to know about good old St. Nick. She knew that she had to behave because Santa was watching and that Santa was going to stop by for a visit to bring either presents if she was good or rocks if she was bad. On Christmas Eve, she helped put cookies and milk out for Santa however, on Christmas morning, a very anxious and disappointed Daddy John and I both agreed that she probably picked the wrong morning to sleep in. We couldn't take in any longer and had to help her wake up. We rushed to the living room to find the cookies and milk mostly gone. "Santa made a big mess, Daddy" she proclaimed. Though we did our best to stay in control, Santa did not and there was quite a large pile of packages for Danielle.

In reviewing the photos, I realized that I meant to post all of these "incidents" individually but obviously never found the time. The picture above is of Danielle in the tub. She was playing with the bubbles and insisted we let her see herself in the mirror. It was too cute to pass up and out came the camera! Click on the photo to view the album. I have a lot of explaining to do on the first set of photos. OK, Danielle has 2 dads, both of whom have never had long hair and, consequently, have never had the opportunity to experiment with curling hair. So, on a whim, I decided to buy some curlers and try them out on Danielle. First off, they are NOT easy to put in as the directions indicate. The photos bear proof of the castastrophe I performed on out darling child. John was out to Aikido practice while I worked on her hair and did not see her until the next morning when she came into our room with a head full of curlers. We were both rolling on the floor! As difficult as they are to get in, they are twice as difficult to get out. Our poor child. Lesson definitely learned.

The 2nd set of photos are from the bathtime bubbles. She just looked so cute with her little faux beard, I just had to add them in.
Lastly, there are some random photos from a trip to the park to feed the ducks, Santa's visit to her preschool, tea-time with Andy Cat and holiday cooking with Grammy. Enjoy!!

I smile happily, thrilled as well with her big accomplishment and quietly slide out of bed. I run quickly to the kitchen to rescue and wash the binky....just in case. All in all, it was a good talk....and a good night:)

I can't believe Halloween is over :( Where has the year gone? Danielle is 2 years and 9 months and doing great. She is loving her preschool and we are loving that she loves her preschool. They had a little Halloween party on Halloween where Danielle dressed as a cheerleader. For trick-or-treating, she dressed as a pirate. Both costumes were VERY cute, I can't pick a favorite. She looks great in red so the cheerleader costume looked great on her. The pirate costume has a hint of red too so it's hard to choose. Let us know what you think. The photos are from Sareena's annual Halloween bash where the kids enjoy spooktacular treats and played fun Halloween games. Also included in the album was our annual trip to Perry Farms Pumpkin Patch in Union City. I've included a Danielle's picture from last year for comparison. What a difference a year makes. Our little baby is gone, replaced with a beautiful little girl. It's all good but also sad to see those chubby cheeks and baby looks fading. Click on the picture above to view the album. Enjoy the pictures!!

We went to Chuck E. Cheeze and played around with the photo booth there and these were the result. We had a hard time with Danielle trying to get her to look at the camera. She had a lot of Cake and Ice Cream that day.

Ken is right. We are totally Lame! Well, not totally. We have been faithfully taking pictures. We just haven't had time to post these pictures. I will post some more over this weekend. Likely, they will be posted in the wrong order in terms of when they occurred.

She looks so grown up here. A little lady. First time I saw these pictures, especially the ones with her hair down, I thought that she looked 4 or 5, not 2 1/2!!

Another funny note: when people who aren't aware of the cicurmstances of Danielle's birth see the pictures with her hair tied back, they often state that she looks a lot like me. Maybe, they are just being kind to me. They are quite surprised when I tell them she is adopted and she is full blooded Mexican-American. However, when they see her in person, they almost always say she looks like Ken. Enjoy.