Happy Holidays!

This is how I feel about the holiday season:

So far, I have enjoyed putting up *my* Christmas tree, decorating it, and going to the Cone family Christmas party. Here I am posing with *my* tree.

This is an example of my really big holiday smile. I also can't wait to see Santa this weekend (even though I cried last year when I sat in his lap).

I decided to dance around the Christmas tree a bit. Dancing is one of my favorite things to do.

I also like to get under the tree and look up into it, but for now I just decided to sit down. Mama and Baba said that they always enjoyed looking up into their trees too.

We decided to take our own photos this year for our Christmas cards. Here is our first attempt. Mama and Baba said that it's really difficult to set the timer, get the lighting right and then get me to look at the camera, be still, and smile all at the same time. This one was NOT our best shot.

This one also was not the one we selected for the card. I'm not sure what the look on my face was.

Take 3 - not the best one either.

Take 4 - I'm not sure what I'm looking at, but at least I was staying still.

And finally - we all have our eyes open, decent smiles, and I'm not moving.

I have really enjoyed *my* Christmas tree so far. This year, because of a certain cat who may or may not be named Bandit, we decided to get an artificial tree. We won't go into detail of what happens when Bandit eats REAL Christmas trees. It's NOT pretty. But I am somehow convinced that this tree *is* my Christmas present. Mama said that I am getting more from Santa on Christmas day. How cool is that?

This Sunday, we go to our church's annual Christmas dinner, and that's when I'll meet Santa. Then Grandma, Pop Pop and Doe are coming up to visit. I can't wait. And of course, I am excited about Santa visiting my house. He's been here twice already (or so my parents say), but this year I have a better understanding of what all this is about. Happy holidays everyone!

Introducing "Little Purple Cat"

Today in school, we learned about Native Americans and crafted some cute little construction paper headdresses. When it came time for us to choose Native American names, the teacher, Miss Kim, asked me what my favorite animal is. I said a cat! Then, because I was wearing purple, I became Little Purple Cat.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

We Had A "Groovy" Weekend With Xavier

Last weekend, my brother Xavier came up to visit. And one of our favorite activities is to go play putt putt golf at our friend Greg's place, Groovy Golf here in Athens. Here are some pictures from our adventure - starting with Baba making his first putt.

And this is what it looks like when Mama isn't using the flash. The whole place is lit with black lights and there are lots of glow in the dark features!

And our friend Greg plays plenty of dance music from the 70s. I love to dance!

I'm still dancing while Baba putts.

In fact, I seem to like dancing more than playing putt putt.

Xavier was very happy to get a hole in one!

Baba looks on as Xavier putts.

And here I am posing with Baba.

This is what Groovy Golf looks like without the flash.

It's definitely very retro!

Here's the outside of Groovy Golf. It's inside the Georgia Square Mall in Athens.

And here are a few more shots of the grooviness.

And one final shot.....

We did have a really nice weekend that included of course Groovy Golf, some shopping, and our weekly trip to Siri Thai for some delicious food. Thanks for coming up to visit with us Xavier!

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November 4th Was A Wonderful Day For Us To Remember

On November 4, 2008, we completed the final step in my adoption process. It wasn't a necessary step but was one that ensures my relationship with Mama and Baba legally at the state level. It was called "domesticating" my adoption, and it will result in my having an American birth certificate, with my legal American name on it and with Mama's and Baba's names on it as my parents. Our court date was today, and the judge heard our case. Here I am with Baba outside the courthouse before the hearing.

And here I am with Mama.

Our attorney took a picture of us in front of the judge's private chambers, where our hearing took place.

Here's another shot of us outside his office.

And here we are going through the paperwork. It did not take long at all.

Here we are with the judge just following his signing of the decree.

After we left the courthouse, I wanted to go have my picture taken on one of the many artistic Bulldogs that are placed around Athens.

We went out for a delicious lunch after our hearing, and had a great time. Thanks to Miss Debra (our attorney) and the judge for being a part of the final step to domesticate my adoption!
What a special day November 4, 2008 has been.

Sweet Father-Daughter Moment Caught On Camera

Today, we had a very "lazy" day - hanging out around the house in our robes and PJs. And Baba decided to be the one to give me a pedicure this time. Of course Mama had to go get the camera and take a picture to capture the moment for posterity.

Look at that concentration! Now my toes are a beautiful, shiny and glittery burgundy color - perfect for Fall!

Happy Halloween!!!

Last weekend, we continued to celebrate Mama's birthday with her mom, dad and Doe coming to visit. We started off Saturday going to get some lunch. Here we are waiting on our food to arrive. I'm not sure what kind of looks we both have on our faces.

And now I'm obviously trying to eat the camera, while Mama just sits there smiling. That food needs to get here quickly!

And now for some shots with Baba. I'm all about the silly faces when pictures are being taken. Mama says my sense of humor is really developing.

Now I'll actually sit still for a moment and smile.

After lunch, we went to a toy store to start doing some Christmas "looking" with my grandparents and Doe, and guess what they had outside? A fire truck! I just happen to love fire trucks. The nice fireman let me sit up inside of it.

Wow, I am really sitting up high in this seat!

So then we went shopping for some clothes. For some reason Grandma and Doe always want to get clothes for me when they visit. Here I am trying on several things at once that don't match!


This is so much fun!

And now for the shoes. A girl cannot go shopping for clothes without getting some shoes too. :) And those teeny tiny Crocs behind me are actually Mama's. She has very small feet. She can't wait for us to wear the same size so we can share.

After trying on every piece of clothing they bought me AND everything in my closet, we went out to celebrate Mama's birthday. Mama, Baba and I all love Thai food and particularly this restaurant in Athens called Siri Thai. Here I am eating a Thai spring roll. I also enjoyed some Tom Kha (coconut milk/lemongrass/lime/chili oil/tofu/veggie soup), some of Mama's Tofu Gra Prow and some of Baba's Siri Fried Rice. I ask for Thai food every day. And we really love our friend Dang who owns the restaurant. She is so sweet to me! She gives me boxes of raisins when I eat all my dinner.


After we got home, I treated Grandma, Pop Pop and Doe to some music and dancing.


I have become quite the entertainer!


Sunday morning, we all went to church. Here are Pop Pop and I before we left. I'm making more funny faces, of course.


And let's have one with Grandma too. How do you like this face?

And I'm not sure what I'm doing here. But it looks cute, doesn't it?

And here I am with Mama and Baba. Mama thinks he looks so good in that purple shirt.

After church, we went to a Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch. I couldn't wait to find just the right pumpkin.


Ooh, here's one!


There are just so many to choose from Grandma!


Wow, look at these!

And there are even more over here!


Hmmm. How do you drive this thing?

Oh, you RIDE. That's much better.

I found a perfect little baby pumpkin.

See, this is MY baby pumpkin. I love it!


And now for some pictures. Mama is really trying to get me to smile, but I'm distracted by all the pumpkins!

And now one of the three of us. I'm still distracted.

Here's a good one of Pop Pop. That little train depot in the background is where Mama and Baba will vote on Tuesday.

And here's a nice one of Grandma and Pop Pop.


This year for Halloween, I decided to be Stephanie from the show Lazy Town. I am getting ready to go to the Asian Children Mentor Program's Halloween "Runway" Contest and Party.

I think I'll sit down for a few minutes.

I really love this outfit - the pink hair, the purse - all of it!

And now for a close-up.

And another one.

And now we are at the party. I am contestant number 1, and I'm waiting on the judges. Before the contest, we enjoyed some delicious Asian-inspired snacks and drinks.

And here we all are. Don't we all look cute?

Guess what? I WON the contest for best costume!!!! Mama, Baba, Doe, Grandpa, Grandma and my mentor Ji In were so proud of me. Also, I am getting a second mentor. There were so many volunteers this year for mentors that I get to have two. I will be spending some time with Catherine soon as well. She is from the Philippines. You can see her in one of the pictures on our blog where she was performing the cane dancing at the last Asian Mentor event.

Well, that's it for now. We sure had a busy week and weekend. Happy Halloween!