Kindall Family News: Thanksgiving and the First Christmas of the Season

Adoption Progress

**FINALIZATION: December 11, 2009
**Post Placement Complete: October 12, 2009
**GOTCHA DAY!!!: April 27, 2009
**TRAVEL CALL: April 15, 2009
**Passport: March 26, 2009
**Emigration Permission: March 23, 2009
**I-600 approved, I-171 issued: January 20, 2009
**I-600 received in Fort Smith: 10:30 am, January 16, 2009
**Legals: January 14, 2009
**Official Referral Acceptance: January 9, 2009
**Referral Acceptance by phone: January 7, 2009
**REFERRAL CALL: January 6, 2009
**On the OFFICIAL wait list!!!: June 20, 2008
**Fingerprints taken with Immigration: June 11, 2008
**Pre-filing with Immigration (I-600 A): May 15, 2008
**2nd Home Study Visit: May 13, 2008
**1st Home Study Visit: May 5, 2008
**Application Part 2 Approval: February 8, 2008
**Application Part 2 Submitted: January 22, 2008
**Application Part 1 Approval: December 28, 2007

Friday, December 4, 2009

Thanksgiving and the First Christmas of the Season

I know Thanksgiving was over a week ago, but things have been a little crazy around here! So it took me a while to recoup from our trip and find time to go through our pictures to pick out the ones I wanted to post on the blog.

As is our tradition, we went to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. We always have Thanksgiving on Thursday and Christmas on Friday while we are there. This year, we didn't know how it would go since we were planning to drive (11 hours) and Luci isn't the biggest fan of the car seat. We weren't too excited about the possibility of her screaming for hours on end (she doesn't cry herself to sleep) so we decided to try driving through the night. Yes, we would be exhausted, but if it was easier on her then it would be easier on us! We left Wednesday night right after her bath. She immediately went to sleep as we had hoped. She didn't wake up until Kansas City and then it was only briefly. She woke up for good about 10 miles away from my grandparents house! SUCCESS!!!

Luci helping Grandma cook

We arrived about 7:30 Thanksgiving morning, ate some breakfast, turned Luci over to all the willing and waiting babysitters, and went to take a nap. Luci was such a trooper! She entertained everyone and found some new favorite toys. She absolutely loves her toys and stuffed animals, as you can see from the following pictures. Grandma and Grandpa have a giant stuffed bear that Luci absolutely adored. She could be found often lounging in the arms of the bear.

Hello everyone!

Riding my trike

As I mentioned previously, we had Christmas on Friday...Luci's first one of the season. She had a blast tearing open the paper and seeing what was inside! She also had a great time playing with her cousins Kyle and Kaitlyn.

Tearing into my presents

Had to immediately read the books! A girl after my own heart...makes a Momma proud!

Fun with Kaitlyn!

Reading Outdoor Life with Kyle

We left Saturday night around Luci's bedtime again for the trip home. She did even better the second time around. Driving through the night is definitely the way to go until she gets a little older.

I absolutely love this time of year and it is going to be even more fun sharing it with Luci this year! Enjoy the pictures of my favorite holiday season! We all have so much to be thankful for!!!