Internet dating?

Are you my stroller soul mate? I mean you're from the same country as my first love, but you're red, and I'm a blue or black girl, just ask my car(who is green, but I often lament that she should have been black). You're not as cute as my first love, nor as pristine, but hey, I should be so picky. You are however priced right...and...I do so love your Antipodean roots. You are more compact and that goes a long way, as your predecessor was 42" folded and you are only 36"...which is far more manageable. You are a little bit younger, and maybe not quite as rugged...but you need shipping, and shipping is pricey. On the other hand, there's you...


you're closer...so your travel expenses will be less...and you are the spitting image of my prior love, but once again...RED! Okay, that's a quick fix, I can use the blue cover from my late love, and you'll almost look the same...hey, and I do have some 'spare parts'! You're a bit more, but the convenience is better...oh decisions decisions. Why does this feel like Internet dating?

One last word on this...I have to say the folks at Mountain Buggy are freakin' rockstars...their customer service in New Zealand is awesome, but it's also incredible here in their Colorado office..brilliant in fact! I got swift calls and lots of options and help, sadly I couldn't justify the overall cost of a new frame or stroller, but let me tell you, if you are ever in the market for the most amazing stroller and the most incredible customer service, buy a Mountain Buggy!

HOW TO LOSE $500 IN 4 SECONDS

Back over your super duper awesome Mountain Buggy Terrain stroller like I did this morning. Perhaps I didn't have enough coffee? Or the cold was getting to me, but I had just started using it again because of how wonderful it is in the snow. I pop Paisley in it to pick up Piper at preschool, and today for some reason after putting the girls in the car I 'forgot' that I hadn't put the stroller in the back of the 'Subie', so I proceeded to back up the car until I felt a thud....uh oh. Some days are just like that I guess. Maybe it can be repaired? I don't know, perhaps a good bike shop will know how to do it? It has a very sturdy aluminum frame, and not too many bits and bobs, so it only needs to be straightened and then a new axle pin and one new wheel....oh dear, I think maybe the stroller is toast! BUGGER.

This is really a super bummer, I love this stroller, and it was like new because it only gets used in the snow. Can you tell, I'm really really really bummed.

I called the distributor in Colorado, and they said it might be repairable but we need to take it to an auto repair shop to have it bent so that it can be shipped. A new frame is $300! plus the new wheel(one is cracked), plus shipping! ugh!

One thing I can tell you....these strollers are AMAZING! especially in snow/sand/dirt etc...made in New Zealand..built tough...just not tough enough to withstand a Subaru backing over it!...still, can you imagine what a Graco would look like!

SNOW + PIPER = SNOWANGELS!

It snowed yesterday, and all Piper wanted to do was make snowangels...she talked about it from the moment she woke in the morning, all through breakfast and was still chattering as we left to run errands. By noon she was pretty much keyed up and begged me for "just five or maybe nine minutes in the snow?"...I popped Paisley in bed and bundled up Piper and out we went!

I'm figuring she made a Soccer teams worth of Snowangels and about a dozen snowballs, the latter which were promptly thrown at her mother?....where on earth did she learn that snowballs should be hurled at your Mum??? Thirty minutes later, she was tucked inside, hands warming around a nice hot chocolate with a side of gingerbread cookies!

I'm one who is less enthusiastic about winter in Minnesota, but when I see how much my girls enjoy the white fluffy stuff....it kind of makes it okay.

Piperina Ballerina

This weekend was Piper's first ballet lesson. I'd been looking for a few months and found the perfect little ballet studio just a few minutes away from home. Her lessons started on Saturday but we accidentally turned up to the 5 year old class instead of the 3-4's! She had a great time anyway, and got to try 'tap' as well! Thanks to Angelina Ballerina, Piper is absolutely enamoured with all things ballet, and should a sport be devised that incorporates Kung Fu and Ballet at the same time, then that would be utter perfection! Piper certainly has a flair for the dramatic, and of course dance is a great outlet for that. Lets hope however, that she learns the self discipline her mother never did...I was always more...lets say, 'expressive' hence my short lived career in the fine arts.

Multi tasking...

SPLITTING CHRISTMAS

This year we have decided to spend Christmas in Colorado. Paisley has been home nine months and even though we'd just love to hunker down and celebrate at home with our little family of four, we have decided that it is indeed time to take the plunge and drive across the country to spend the holidays with Mike's family in the Rockies! I'm torn whether to spend the time decorating the house, since we will leave a week before Christmas, and will be back around New Years...but I want to stay 'festive'. At the moment, all we have is a wreath at the door and a Santa on the mantelpiece! Sad huh! I know Nana & Papa will pull out all the stops at their house, their tree is always a wonder. I think it will be amazing for the girls, to spend the holidays with their cousins, aunties and uncle, Nana, Papa and Great Grandma, snuggled around the Wii (I mean fireplace) on Christmas Eve, drinking hot chocolates and eating cookies! Today I pulled out the stockings so that we can take them with us. Guess who else will be stowing away? 'Jingle' of course, he must must must come along, after all, he's still on duty the week before Christmas! Now all I have to do is figure out which gifts to open here before travelling, and which to take with us...and of course, there's always the task of sending Santa a 'change of address' just in case he comes here instead of there...

SCARY SANTA!

Two weeks ago we visited Santa at the Macy's Store downtown...they have a wonderful display each year and this year the theme was Santa's Workshop. We got the Snowflowers dressed in their winter finery and headed off on our little expedition. Piper was completely stoked by the fact she would be meeting the big guy in red, Paisley...um...not so much. We enjoyed the 'workshop' and ended up in line to meet 'Santa' who was frankly kinda scary and pretty gruff with the kids. I think that Macy's need a new Santa next year...Piper was pretty sure he wasn't the 'real' Santa...Paisley was absolutely sure of it, even bunny was skeptical. Next week we'll try a different Santa...I hear the honest to goodness Santa Claus is at one of the local Malls. We'll see. I don't think this will work on the Christmas card this year. Whats the deal with the gardening gloves anyhow? This is Macy's people, the Cadillac of Santa's...oh Macy's, how you have let your standards fall.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Elf on the shelf

This is the BEST thing EVER! A friend told us about the 'elf on the shelf' the other day. We've been having some serious Sassy McTalkbackerson issues of late, and the average distraction, dissuasion and other reasonings du jour just haven't been doing the trick...so who happened to arrive on our TV cabinet this afternoon, straight from the North Pole? Well, it's our own personal Elf...sent by the man in RED himself! The thing about our Elf is that he appears magically around Thanksgiving and reports back to Santa each night, so whatever happens in our house does not stay in our house(this ain't Vegas people!). Well, as part of our job, we had to name the Elf...it took Piper a nano-second to decide on 'Jingle' which is appropriate for an elf...especially since he has a bell on his cap! So guess whose behaviour was STELLAR today? Correctomundo people...Miss Piper was an angel...she napped, she used her manners, she basically 'flounced' her 'goodiness' in front of Jingle to prove she is worthy of Santa's favor. Jingle came with a book explaining how his magic works...one very important thing, children absolutely cannot touch him, or it might take his magic away...so we have to be very very careful. The other cool thing, is every morning after the flight down from the North Pole...Jingle finds a comfy spot somewhere in the house from where he will survey the days good deeds and pleasant manners.

GENIUS!

ONE YEAR AGO!Somebody got some awesome news!

One year ago we got 'THE' call from our agency CCAI. A year ago we saw Paisley's sweet face for the first time.

Our first look...what a beauty!

to this...a stunning, sweet, snuggly, funny, adorable, thoughtful, cheeky, bubbly little monkey..in just one year! I cannot even contemplate how it will be in March when she has officially been in our family for a full year! I'm pretty sure by then she will be a Rhodes Scholar!

MY SUPERHERO

He may not wear a cape, leap from tall building to tall building, or drive an Astin Martin...but my husband is my superhero.

I LOVE YOU

baby it's cold outside!

oh la la...it's Fancy Nancy!

and while I'm on the topic of books...here is one of Piper's favorite! Fancy Nancy! Of course she also loves Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy, and Bonjour Butterfly...need I say more! We truly love these sweet books, so much in fact that it will be the 'theme' of Piper's fourth birthday party in January...oooh la la, I can just see all the little girls a-glitter with hairbows and all things exquisite(thats a fancy word for fancy). I was also tempted by the illustrator, and picked up this little book for Christmas...just because, well...all girls should aspire to Tea with the Queen! Tea for Ruby is written by Sarah Ferguson, and I guess she knows a little bit about the subject! Can you tell that one Snowflower is beginning to like things pink and frilly...well, maybe not frilly, more Punky Brewster meets Pippi Longstockings but hey, I think that's a rocking combination!

I absolutely cannot wait for this very especially extremely good book!

release date March 2009

PEACE

NEW ROOF

Yesterday the skip arrived. Tomorrow the roofers will come and tear off the old green shingles marred over the years by hailstorm upon hailstorm. By the weekend we will have a safe, environmentally friendly roof above our heads to protect us against the elements. Hmm...perhaps that's a metaphor for something? or perhaps we're just getting a new roof.

IS BEING UN-CHRISTIAN

THE SAME AS BEING UN-AMERICAN?

just curious, it sounds eerily (and scarily) familiar.

The truth is I'm disappointed, and a little surprised (but not shocked) about what has transpired over the past few weeks since we started posting about the election and issues our family believes are worthy of recording in our blog-journal.

A friend told me today that she, like I have been lucky enough to experience life from many different corners of the world thus giving us a slightly different overview on a lot of things, not better, not worse, just different. I think that the world needs healing more than judgement, yet I see little of the former from those who sling mud because our beliefs are not in line with theirs. Let me tell you one thing...our family's relationship with God will not be judged by others.

Not once have I left a message of hate on anyone's personal blog, not straight up, nor thinly veiled. If I read something I don't agree with I have the good sense to push the back button and go elsewhere. Yesterday I cut off ties with a group I have been a part of since I started the adoption journey...several of it's members felt that it was important enough to come to my blog wielding threats of 'prayer' for my family because of my beliefs. Let me tell you...my family does not need these empty promises of prayer veiled in anger or pity.

Prayer should never be used in the context which it was delivered here. Prayer is sacred, at least ours are, and our prayers are never delivered with venom or ill will, sarcasm or distaste.

When our daughters are older I hope they will read through this blog and know that both of their parents cared enough to speak out against injustices, stand up against those who want to block out the voices of those who question.

If that makes me unpopular to some critics then so be it...at least I stand in good company.

and so...in the attempt to change the world one heart at a time...I am suggesting my new favorite book...which exemplifies the most beautiful virtues that I believe will stand the test of time. Don't let fear motivate how you live your lives, let love....

Three Cups of Tea

Olbermann Special Comment: Proposition 8

I thought Keith said it well...better than my attempt.

beautiful

from the talented hand of my friend Maia

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.

The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.

The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference.

And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.

- Elie Wiesel

Indifference is a dangerous path that only cowards tread upon

- me

Why HATE attacks LOVE

Why do hatemongers think it's okay to push their beliefs on others. I am sad Prop 8 passed this past Tuesday. I am however hopeful that with time it will be reversed and we will stop stripping away HUMAN RIGHTS from people regardless of their sexual orientation. I think there will be a day when we can move beyond this kind of pettiness and evolve into a HUMAN RACE that cares about each other rather than plotting defeat for those with other beliefs. Right now, I feel a fundamentalist wind blowing debris of hate over this great Nation. Go buy your pop tarts and build your bunkers and teach your children to hate....true love will never be defeated... my God teaches me that. I also want to say a word to those who post anon comments or untraceable comments...I don't post them unless I know where they come from. END OF STORY. I also cannot believe the idiocy of some of the comments...really, it's best if you go back home, lick your wounds and educate yourself. Real change is not built on hate...that sort of thing will never survive the times...only LOVE can make real change happen.

UPDATE: well well, this has become quite the controversy...

POPPY & DEDE

With all the commotion of the last week, I forgot to post a photo of Poppy & Dede with the Snowflowers. Mike's Dad Paul and his wife Deb came to MN to see the girls and meet Paisley for the first time. We had a really great time and Paisley ADORED both her 'Poppy' and her 'Dede' it was wonderful to see her blossom with her grandparents! We just wish we could see them more often. They did spoil us, and the girls..which was quite a treat! Dede even taught me how to make knot blankets....so the girls will be sporting fancy new 'car blankies' this winter(don't hassle me, I have to have blankets in the car for the girls, it gets pretty cold here in Minnesota!). We love you guys and can't wait to see you again...perhaps after winter!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Today is Mike's 34th birthday...and it started early(5am) with a conference call from Singapore! This week has been challenging to say the least...with the 'reorganization' at work and the reassignment of the workforce that remains...well, lets say Mike feels like he aged a decade not just a year! Good news for him, he still looks like he's in his 20's! So, tonight we celebrated with a homemade dinner of Pad Thai, and lashings and lashings of delicious chocolate cake(not homemade)! Happy Birthday Daddy, we love you!

p.s. we're pretty happy with the outcome of the election, but we thought you'd dig this cake! Notice the little 'vote dem' chocolate...totally ass kickin' (pardon the pun)

YES WE DID!

History in the making!

TODAY'S THE DAY!

LAYOFFS

As a victim of the current economic situation, the company that Mike works for had a workforce reduction today. About 10% of the company lost their jobs. Luckily, Mike kept his but he is deeply troubled and under a lot of stress due to those around him that were notified today that they were no longer employed. What this means for Mike is still uncertain, but he is probably looking at a doubled workload if not more. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families who are affected by this layoff.

Mike' group of 14 people lost 6...so the odds were not in his favor. This week is reorganization week...for whatever that means?

ONE MORE DAY!

...and I cannot sleep. I feel like I am perpetually holding my breath waiting for election day when I will be able to either exhale, or....well, lets not think about the other option!

I saw an interesting show last night where some good points were raised about the state of the election and what we can do to make voting easier for all involved. What troubles me about the current situation is that many Americans do not have the ability to take time off work to stand in line for 4-6 hours waiting to vote so I think it sets itself up for unfairness...and this is a bipartisan issue. Here's some of the ideas that were discussed that I like the sound of....

1. Election Day should be on a weekend, like MOST other major Democratic Nations, if not, then there should be early voting in ALL 50 States and at least one of the early voting days should be on a weekend.

2. Voting machines....should either be the same country wide or we should use paper ballots and a #2 pencil....once again, this tried and true method works for a lot of other Democratic Nations!

3. The campaign period needs to be shorter...6 months sounds more than adequate.

4. No Television Ads....NONE! I think that the candidates should get the chance to debate more often in the campaign period, and also have small 15-30 minute television slots to talk about specific issues...ie; each week they get to address their particular Parties policies.

5. STOP THE ROBOCALLS

"aaah McCain, you've done it again!"

sorry folks, I just had to borrow this old Ad slogan from New Zealand(McCain is a brand of frozen foods). It seemed pretty fitting in light of the fact that the McCain campaign just can't seem to get it right, that they are so out of touch with reality that they think an endorsement from DICK CHENEY will work in their favor...um...I don't think so! someone just hand these people another nail for that casket they've been working on.

All I have to say...."good luck with that"

'appy 'alloween me 'earties!

Buccaneers of the Hood?
turns out....there was quite the contingent of Pirates last night in the cul de sac. Many ships(houses) were appropriately pillaged of all treasure(candy). Lets just say, some of the deckhands had a bit too much and were feeling a wee bit green this morning! Piper and Paisley had 'boyish' costumes on, so they kept being called "little boys'...eh, they don't care, just as long as the candy kept a-flowing! Piper = Batcat(but more realistically she looked like a retro Batman circa Adam West) and Paisley...well, she be the pirate. As you can see...Piper was definitely motivated by all the different kinds of candy she scored...one house was offering full sized candy bars or small packets of goldfish..guess which one Piper got...the stinkin' goldfish! Bummer, Mummy was hoping for a 3 Musketeers bar! Oh well, we'll just have to make do with the spiderweb cupcakes we made...scary huh!

THREE YEARS AGO!

Three years ago today we were handed a very scared, very hot little girl at the government offices in Guangzhou. I cannot believe how fast you have grown, and what a superstar you are! The last three years have been filled with such joy! I cannot believe that the little spitfire that stands before me today is the same child! You are Mummy's little trouble maker, gigglebox and snugglepie. You are our sweet sweet baby and we love you like crazy!

Don't Vote 2 HQ

hmmm....guess he doesn't have diamonds on the soles of his shoes

there goes the elitist argument

Our thoughts and prayers are with a fellow adoptive family who was in China the same time as we were earlier this year adopting their daughter. Their beautiful little girl passed away today. My heart aches for you. May peace find it's way to your family.

MORE ROOM FOR OSCAR!

For about a year our family has consistently been putting out our rubbish bins(aka trash cans) at the curb every Monday with ONE SOLITARY kitchen bag full of trash inside! We finally wised up and ordered the smallest bin available and honestly I have to say it felt good. Our recycling bin is another story...we only have pick up once every two weeks and by that time it is overflowing...which makes me wonder...if people don't recycle, then exactly HOW MUCH trash is being put into our landfills? It's second nature to us now, and Piper is an ACTIVE participant in our recycling program. We're going to try hard this year to buy Christmas gifts with less packaging...lets see if we can pull that one off!

caught red handed!uh oh...who gave the baby candy?

Don't blame me..she threatened to put a spell on me if I didn't hand over the cauldron of goodies. Luckily just one piece seemed to do the trick. On a side note, I tasted my first ever 'tootsie roll'...holy crap, why didn't someone tell me how revolting they are! Bluch! Thank goodness the wrapper doubles as a receptacle for half chewed brown gunk...bluch bluch double bluch!

BATCAT?

or RETRO BATMAN?

Piper & Paisley got some use out of their costumes on Saturday. We went to two little trick or treat events. Piper wore her 'BatCat' costume....but I think EVERYONE thought she was a retro Batman. Paisley went as a Irate Pirate in the morning, then switched into a witch costume at night. I know it's too early to post Halloween pictures, but I just had to post this one...so cute, and such an attitude! The funniest thing...Piper felt the need to 'kungfu challenge' any child in a batman or batgirl costume?

Hiiiiiii-Yaaaaaaa!

Snow is my favourite and my best!

Piper has been anxiously awaiting the first signs of winter. Much to her parents chagrin, today her wish was granted...big white fluffy flakes fell for most of the day! Thankfully it didn't stick, but it is a sign of things to come.

Tonight we 'celebrated'(restrained yay) by reading her favourite book about snow...chased down with two pages from the Constitution of the United States of America...which by the way is quite the read...I particularly like this beautiful rendition by Sam Fink.

Stunning Snowflowers

Last weekend we took the girls for a photo shoot...as I had mentioned in an earlier post...and due to some environmental influences(no naps, 45 minute commute, late afternoon appointment) the shoot didn't really go as planned. I have to send WHOPPING props out to Lauri the photographer though...she was basically the 'toddler whisperer' the entire time...however, she was dealing with the Snowflowers and that makes everything just that little bit more difficult! Luckily Lauri agreed that we should get together again to try to get some photos of the girls together...hopefully this weekend! But for now...here's two teasers!

You can see more, or book Lauri at her blog or website

GO HOKIES

We have not been good Hokie fans this year...the election has taken first place over our support for the Hokies...so I just wanted to give a shout out to the team to say good luck for the game on Saturday...we wont be able to watch as we have a really full day of swimming lessons, do-over photos, Halloween parties and such...but the gnome says GO HOKIES!(p.s. we don't own a gnome...I just found this wee guy in cyberspace and had to use him)

Go Virginia Tech!

Racist?? You have GOT to be kidding me!

All throughout the primary elections and even now, Obama has had to FIGHT for the black vote. There was a large sector of the African American population that felt he wasn't "one of them" - not black enough? I don't know. Regardless of that, he is pretty much the epitome of what America stands for: mother is white, father is Kenyan; mother on welfare; raised by his white grandparents; worked HARD and got into Harvard; successful career in teaching constitutional law.

The man has had to work hard for every inch he's gained in life and for the Republicans who say it's become a racist race are delusional and, to me, offensive.

I would agree if you asked the majority of people why they're voting for Obama and they said, "Because he's black." BUT, they *aren't* saying that! Far from it. This election is so exciting - in fact, people are actually getting involved like they never have in the past (psst...that's what Michelle Obama was referring to when she said she was proud of America). We're not just getting involved, we're gobbling it up! Obama's supporters are more engaged and informed than the democratic electorate has been in a looooong time. They (we/I) care about the issues and he represents the direction they (we/I) want this country to go.

Here's an email I got a few days ago about this very subject - this is for YOU, Susan - read for comprehension:

How it works The political question lately has been if racism will rear its ugly head in the upcoming election, i.e. the Bradley effect. I wish I could believe that the majority of citizens today will choose the next president based on the issues and how the candidate will address those issues, but I am still a skeptic. The reason for my skepticism is the following barometer of cold, hard facts.

What if ...

John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to?

Obama were the candidate who divorced his first wife to marry a very wealthy woman?

Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard Law?

Michelle Obama became addicted to painkillers and acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

Obama's teen-aged daughter got pregnant out of wedlock?

McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

Obama were a member of the "Keating Five"?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really think the election numbers would be as close as they are?

This is how racism works and this is what racism does. It covers up rationality and minimizes positive qualities or emphasizes negative qualities.

I had to post this comment on my last post, it pretty much sums up the racism question.

Thank You...I just wish I'd written it myself!

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama for President

Just in case you didn't see Meet the Press on Sunday...here's the endorsement! AS for those who are emailing me and leaving comments regarding Dems being RACIST because they are voting for Obama...how insane, look in the mirror when you tell yourself that! Don't try and pull the sad angry white argument with me...it's not going to fly! Get over yourself, do your research and honestly, you have ANY questions, feel free to ask...I'm happy to help.

RESPECT We knew it was coming, and today it finally did.

Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama!

RULES FOR PARENTS OF TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS

RE: PHOTO SHOOTS

1. Don't book a photographer at 4pm in the afternoon

2. Don't drive 50 minutes to designated 'location' if children have not had a nap

3. Remind your children that if they don't listen, they will not be accompanying you home(just kidding)

4. Do ingest as much caffeine infused products as humanly possible prior to said shoot

5. Did I mention the 4pm thing? What was I thinking?

Today we took the girls for a really truly most proper photo session with the talented Lauri...we've saw her work here, and we couldn't wait to let her unleash her talent on the Snowflowers....the thing is....I didn't follow my own rules, and taking two un-napped, unruly, whining children on a 50 minute car ride(why they didn't fall to sleep on the way is beyond me) is never a good idea! Let me tell you, I don't know how Lauri could stand it...the whining, the naughty behavior, and that was just Mike & I! Lets just say...Piper was FULL OF IT, and Paisley was Grumpy McGrumpypants!

If Lauri can come up with even one good shot of the little monsters I'll be happy! If not, we'll reschedule for an AM session!

UPDATE! I was right...we have to do a do-over! Lauri managed to get a few shots, but the girls were just not cooperating! She has a few on her blog but we are going to reshoot this weekend. For some reason Piper was NOT cooperating when it came to getting a phto with both kids...ugh, poopr Lauri, she has to brave the Snowflowers once again!

baby got bling~a~ling

Yesterday we had to go to the MOA(Mall of America) to find some tights for Piper's Halloween costume. While we were there..I got sucked into the vacuum of Club Libby Lu to get my Snowflower baby blingaling'd! Piper was STOKED and kept telling her sister

"it'll be okay Paisley, it doesn't really hurt, it's like the flu shot"

Paisley didn't really get why she was among the beglittered, but she went with the flow...

"this is cool, I'm cool, I'm hanging with the big girls"

"um, hey, what are you doing....."

"I was NOT expecting that!..I hate you, all of you...yes even you!!"

you want to know how long she cried? about FOUR seconds...yep, that's it...four measly seconds, I gave her a jellybean and all was right with the world! I'd rather do it young than face the 'drama' when she is a bit older. I had my ears pierced when I was 3 and quite honestly I think it was far less stressful on me than it was on my then 7 year old sister!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHHere's Piper with her Rocky Mountain cousins Rhys & Mollie! There is an interesting fact about all the grandkids(USA)to date...50% are homegrown, 50% are adopted from China, but guess whats even more interesting...all FOUR of the grandkids are 50% New Zealander! Yep...all four have the rights to New Zealand Citizenship! You know why? Mike's sister married a kiwi as well!

So here's a few snapshots of what Piper did in Colorado..

learnt about Wii sports with Nana

hung out with some new friends
went to a birthday party and 'helped' the birthday girl open all her giftswent to the Butterfly pavillion with Daddy... and met Rosie the spiderWent to the circus with Nana, Rhys & Auntie Susie(no photo)Rocked out with Grandma

basically she partied hard for an entire week and cam home exhausted! We sure did miss her when she was gone.