Adventure to B'Elanna and Ayla: 2013

Monday, November 4, 2013

July 28th, 2013 - Auntie Pam's Duatholon

Very Early Sunday morning, the entire family got up to go with Auntie Pam while she participated in the Mike Spence Duatholon here in Kalispell, MT. We stayed with her while she was getting set-up and until we found out where we were going to be set up for the Water Station. Yes... THE ENTIRE FAMILY... B'Elanna, Parker, Uncle Paul, Grammy, Nai Nai, Tante Noonie and Mommy... ran the water station.

It's early.... but a movie goes a long way to keeping us happy!!

The Alaska Finch's The Montana Finch's

Nai Nai taking the "high energy folks" for a walk.... and then they came RUNNING back!!

Here She Comes..... and there she goes with little green shadows following behind....

Running to the top of the hill to cheer on the runners!! Greeting the runners at the top of the hill!!

Grammy with BOTH her Grandkids for the VERY FIRST TIME!!! And there they go.....

Coming up to the finish line....

She beat her Personal Time!!!!

OUR FAMILY CHAMPION!!!!

July 26- August 2, 2013 - Visit from Uncle Paul, Auntie Pam and Cousin Parker

July 26, 2013 - My brother Paul and his family are flying down from Alaska to visit the family AND to meet B'Elanna for the first time. Our two families have talked via Skype a few times, but this is the first time the cousins are going to meet in person.

As all us in the adoption world know, our children sometimes have VERY Different reactions to new situations, meeting new people and stress in general. This month has been FULL of stressful situations for B'Elanna (and me)... with her surgery, recovery, me going back to work so quickly, having Kelli watch her, going BACK to Seattle for the post-op visit... and now... even though it is going to be wonderful... meeting new family members. To prepare B'Elanna, I have been talking and talking about how exciting it was that Uncle Paul, Auntie Pam and Parker were coming to visit her and ALL the fun things we were going to do with them. I had showed her their pictures Multiple times and I kept reminding her that they were only visiting and SHE was going to stay with me after they left.

So, when we went to the airport to pick them up, I reminded her who we were picking up and how wonderful it was going to be. This was her reaction to meeting them....

She was VERY excited about finally meeting everyone...

...But...Parker was a bit tired and shy after such a long flight!!

Of course, the shyness didn't last for long. Once we were back at Nai Nai's house, Grammy brought out the Superman cap & bracelet for Parker and Wings & bracelet for B'Elanna.... then the Cousins were inseparable!!