NEW BIKES!!!

Jack and Peggy got both Lydia and Addy new bikes and when they watched them on Monday the girls spent their awake time learning how to use them. Addy ended up having to take her new bike home so we promised to bring it back to Jack's whenever she visits!

Lydia had so much fun playing on the slide!

Kinda of a goofball!!!

Lydia ended up really liking her new bike but while we were outside she mostly wanted to slide or play in the dirt.

Learning the pedals...

Addy riding her new bike...she did great only fell off once.

Addy helping Jack put together Lydia's Bike!

I am sure that Addy was reading the directions to Jack

Maya is almost 2 months old!!!

It's hard to believe but Maya is already almost two months old! Some of her most recent milestone...staying awake longer during the daytime, she is starting to smile at us when we talk to her, and she is sleeping through the night from about 9 to about 5 or 6. We go in and see the doctor next month and I will try to post her measurements then...

Enjoy some of her most recent pics!!!

April 2009

Addy has been very interested in learning about medical type stuff since she was very young. But when I caught her eating her breakfast and reading one of Joel's medic magazines I had to capture it on film... then later last week she got very interested in Joel and his co-worker Eric's discussion about interesting ways to use backpacking equipment for rescues (like ski poles for leg braces and hip belts for a back braces) so of course she joined in!!!...enjoy!

April 15th 2009 - Pictures with Great Grandparents

On Wednesday we went with Addy's and Maya's Great Grandparents to get pictures taken along with Keegan and Lydia. It was a lot of fun and we actually got lucky all the kids were in good moods and ready to smile!

Adoption Finalization Hearing April 3rd, 2009

ADOPTION IS FINAL!!!

Our friends and family joined us in Family Court this morning at the Skagit County Court House to go before Judge Meyer and finalize Maya's adoption. It went very well and it was wonderful having every one's support.

To our family and friends...keep in mind I have never been good at expressing my feelings...

We honestly couldn't have gone through all of this without you...there are so many "ups and downs" through the "adoption process" and it is wonderful having so many people to support us and listen to our fears one day and the next listen while we talk about our exciting plans because for some reason we aren't fearful that everything will fall apart (that day anyway), it really is a roller coaster we wouldn't have survived if it wasn't for all of your caring support...so thank you!!!

March 2009 - Fun Pictures...

Here are some fun pictures from March...We have been adjusting fairly well to having a new baby in the house. Maya continues to be a mellow baby and Addy continues to be a good big sister. Unfortunately right after we brought Maya home both Addy and I got some sort of virus that caused us to run high fevers, have low energy, and cold like symptoms. It was completely miserable and magnified by having a new born in the house. Luckily we got through it and Maya escaped without getting sick! Maya has met many family members and will continue to meet more because both our families are huge!!!

March 2009 - Sister Pics

Our newest addition!!!

Maya Luella Pratt is finally here!!! She was born at 11:10am on Saturday March 7Th, 2009 weighing 7lbs5oz, and 20 1/2" long. She is a healthy and beautiful baby girl that will complete our family! Addy is extremely excited about her arrival, she has been talking about being a big sister for a very long time! Maya seems to have a sweet disposition and it is very exciting to look forward to the days, months, and years to come knowing that she is in our lives!

Note: somehow Joel didn't end up in any of the pictures in the slide show, because he was more than likely taking them...we will make sure to post one of him and Maya soon!

January 2009 - Addy's First Hair Cut!!!

The Children's Museum...Addy's new favorite place!!!

The Children's Museum is a great place. Addy loves running around looking at and learning about stuff in general so this place really keeps her attention. We go there at least once a week and sometimes we meet Lydia and Bridget there and when Tyler and Ellie are in town they enjoy it too.

January 2009 - Ocean Shores

This year we went to Ocean Shores for our Pratt/Meece/McManis Family Christmas. We do this instead of exchanging gifts and we usually wait until January or February so that we avoid the actual holidays. This year we were all able to go and we had a great time. Although the weather was somewhat decent it was still cold so we only spent about a half hour at the beach...but by the time we got all the kids bundled up and out the door it was quite an excursion:). We had some ping pong tournaments and played some Apples to Apples...not sure why but we never got out the good old Skipbo cards...hmmm we will have to remember that next time! Enjoy the slide show...

January 2009 - Whistler, BC

We went to Whistler for a nice winter get away with family and friends. Maris, Chris, Tyler, and Ellie, as well as Liz and Nick joined us for our trip to one of our most favorite places! It was a first for all but Liz, Joel, Addy, and I so it was fun to show everyone else around as well as find some new favorite spots. We had fun shopping, eating, drinking, and of course relaxing in the great condo we rented. We took a trip on the Gondola and went night sledding...we would highly recommend both things they were great!

Walking around town we found some cool picture spots...check out the Olympians:)

One of our most favorite memories is night sledding. Even Addy got her own tube and was able to go down the hill, she loved it!

The Gondola trip was very exciting...it was an all day trip, but so worth it when you get to the top!

January 2009 - Addy in the Tub

Check out these funny faces!!! I just love them:)

New Years Eve 2008

Addy took some pictures...they actually turned out pretty good...take a look!

All the kids on New Years Eve 2008

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008

Enjoy the slideshow below there are pictures from Christmas Eve, Christmas Morning, and some with Santa himself!!! Addy had a great Christmas her cousins came and stayed for a whole week and we had lots of fun playing in the snow. Our extended families are great and it was fun seeing everyone over the holidays.

Christmas at Mamma and Papa's

We had a great time at Mamma (grandma) and Papa's house! Papa made a sled jump with his tractor and we had a really good dinner and exchanged gifts...it was so much fun. You will notice I'm not in any of the sledding pictures below and that is because I was sleeping while they were outside but it looks like even Mamma got in on the action...oh well, it was fun exchanging present and having dinner!

December was a crazy month in many ways! We traveled, got a ton of snow, and found out that a birth-mother was interested in us adopting her baby girl due in March of 2009.

Watching Addy play in the snow is a blast! As we have known for a long time...Addy has no fear, and she loved her Uncle Chris and daddy spinning and pushing her as fast as they could down the driveway on a sled. Addy, Tyler, and Ellie had so much fun, especially, on the sledding path that Chris made by rolling himself down the hill in our front yard (pic in the collage). you will also see, in the collage, that Ellie is now somersaulting everywhere, and yes even in the snow. We got some great pics, enjoy!
(double click on the collage to make it bigger)

We met with Shelby (potential birth-mother) and her mother Dori for Lunch earlier this month to discuss her plans and as a way to get to know each other. It went well and it seemed like we clicked right away. (sorry no pics)

December 2008 - Sequim

We spent a few days in Sequim and enjoyed some fun in the snow.
Addy got her first ride on a four wheeler, Grandmas pay no attention to the no helmet thing!

Go Faster!!!!

October 2009 - Halloween!



Halloween was a lot of fun this year, Addy picked
her own costume and really got into the "act"!