The perfect way to end a year...Part I

December brought us thankful hearts and many sweet moments. The first week in December we were sealed as a family for time and all eternity in the Bountiful, Utah Temple. We felt all shiny and new when we came out, a complete family. It was the best way to start the holiday season...EVER.

Isla discovered the joys of twinkle lights on her first Christmas tree. The ornaments provided the motivation needed for crawling and she's been moving faster than me ever since.

Sweet baby girl was also blessed by her dear daddy in December and got to wear her pretty white dress again. She glowed in front of the tree.

Isla also discovered the joys of solid food this month. Well, playing in it at least.

We went to the lights at Temple square, beautiful as always. Here is Ben and Isla waiting to go see the lights while mommy wandered around Anthropologie, aimlessly wishing for EVERYTHING while smelling random candles and looking at knick knacks. Do they look bored?

It was sooo cold! Isla was toasty, but we made her wear my scarf around her face anyway, plus we like her to look mysterious. Is she laughing? Is she crying? Who knows! Also, I just realized that my nose makes an appearance in this pic. See if you can spot it...Ha!

Lil' E came for a visit and learned how to use the camera, by himself!

Awww, sweet brudder with lil' D = Sweetie pies.

Christmas came early when Cassie came up to deliver some goods. She spoiled us all! Isla was in heaven with all the new toys and played so hard she slept through the night and late into the morning. It was the best present I've ever received. ;-)

That night, Isla decided to whip out some new skills. Not only can she crawl super fast, but she now smiles on cue when the camera comes out. Only...sometimes it is a little intense. We like to call it her 'cheese' face. No lie. More pics to follow.

There were so many fantastic things happening in December this post needed too be split in two. That's what I get for slacking in the blogging department! Round 2 coming soon!

The perfect way to end a year...Part II

I told you there would be more. Here is the 'cheese' face in all it's glory. Oh, man, could they get any cuter?

Point those toes girl! This is Christmas Eve. Can't you just see the excitement building?

The girlies got to splash around and play in the tub on Christmas Eve in preparation for the obligatory matching pajama's on Christmas Eve photo.

Obligatory matching pajama's on Christmas Eve photo.

They were all pretty cranky by the time this photo was taken, so we gave them each a candy cane and cup of hot chocolate and made them shovel the walks before bed, just to give them all that extra little Christmas push over the edge. They must have had sweet dreams though, because in the morning?

Okay, brace yourselves. Wait for it.........

That's right folks. Pure, unadulterated Christmas Joy!

"Cheese!"

Isla's first Christmas and she got a pony. And oh, what a pony. See for yourselves!

Alas, all good things must come to an end. And so, we celebrated the exit of a miraculous and wonderful 2010 in true fashion by getting all dolled up and going out on the town, I mean,
sitting on our couch in our sweats with our eyelids propped open watching an ancient Dick Clark count down to midnight (I swear he was out of breath and barely made it to 0) eating artichoke dip and cupcakes until we were sick, and climbing into bed by 12:10 am. Happy New Year!

This year Isla has resolved to getting over her fears. First up, Dogs...

Tile...

And Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches. Way to go Isla!

By Order Of The Court

I can't tell you how many times I've prayed for this day. It's a lot. All week it has seemed like a dream knowing that it would finally be official and Isla would be ours forever. That morning I got up early, or rather, Isla got up early. We sat in front of the Christmas tree and looked in awe at it's glowing branches. I decided that this is my favorite Christmas of all. That afternoon we put on our Sunday best and headed over to the court house. I was a little nervous, never having been in court before, but Ben assured me that it would be better than any of the times he had been before.

We invited Cassie to come and witness the occasion, it only seemed fitting since it was her miraculous decision that made all of this possible in the first place. After all we've been through together it would have seemed strange to not have her there. Have I mentioned that we love her forever? Yeah, we do.

The court was running late that day and by the time it was our turn Isla was completely asleep and missed the whole thing.

Our lawyer headed to the stand and called us up to be seated before the court. We swore to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help us God. And then our lawyer proceeded to examine the witness, who also happened to be our caseworker from LDSFS. He asked her if all our paperwork was complete and correct. Then he began to interrogate us with questions like, "Do you love this child as your own?" and "Will you care for and love this child for the whole of your lives?" and on and on until we were all a crying mess. The judge said that he had read our homestudy and subsequent reports and that they reflected well on us as parents and that they were very positive. Then he said those magical words we have been waiting months to hear and ruled that we are now the lawful parents of Isla Grace Garner. I wanted him to use the gavel at that point, but no such luck. ;-) He did agree to a picture though, and mentioned that his grandson was also adopted and that he had a special place in his heart for adoption.

Aunt Claire and Isla's sweet little cousin Olive came to see us become a family too.

I love this picture. Can you see any resemblance? Um, yes. We always knew this day was coming, but I think that Ben and I are both able to breath a little easier now that it's done. It didn't hit me until later that night when our heads finally hit our pillows and the events of the day settled in. Tears filled my eyes in the darkness and I struggled to express the gratitude I was feeling, though my heart was on fire. Sometimes, words just aren't enough.

Please sir, may I have some more?

HaPpY HallOweEN!!

Comedic Relief

Good Dog

Everytime I see someone walking past our little house I pause and wait for it. The barking. It's so quiet now that my sweet dog is gone. It's a little unsettling how much trust we put into her to protect our house and give us peace of mind. A few weeks ago I had left the front door wide open to let in the fresh air. As I tucked Isla in for a nap I got nervous for a split second that maybe it was unsafe, but I figured if there were any danger Sophie would let me know with that big bark of hers that was often intimidating to outsiders. So many times I'd yell out the window for her to stop barking and now I find myself sadly missing it. Just pulling into the drive way and seeing the empty spot on the porch is enough to make my eyes well up.

The thought of going on a hike and not having her there seems so foreign and lonely. What if an animal comes or a suspicious person is on the trail, who'll watch out for us? All these unnoticed securities we had entrusted to our dog, a job she took on happily. She was loyal, particular in who she trusted, protective, sweet, calm, and a fantastic house guest. She could be cunning and very instinctual, especially when it came down to wild animals. She scrapped with 3 skunks, 2 raccoons, 1 porcupine,a handful of various rodents, and once had a near miss with a rattlesnake to be exact.

I loved how strong she was, and there was no denying that she was a truly beautiful animal. I loved her for being excited to see us after a long days work, even when we were too tired to go on a walk. I will miss seeing her run through deep snow in the winter, her favorite. I will miss the way she used to howl and tap her paws when she got excited to see a friend or loved one. Most of all I think I will miss that bark that let us know she was there, watching out for us. Thank you, Sophie. Good dog.

San Francisco Treat

After a day of sight seeing in downtown San Fran we decided we'd had enough of all the places you're "supposed" to visit and wanted to do something that only the locals do. While sitting in a cafe I asked two fashionably dressed women what they do around town. They responded with what else, "we eat!" And boy do they know how to eat as well. First up, Tartine. A bakery so good that there is actually no sign announcing it's inconspicuous location, only a line out the door and the smell of fresh baked bread. Yum.

Being from the clan McConnell myself and Ben being a descendant of those knaves the Campbell's, we made a quick stop at the farmers market before heading over to one of the largest Scottish Games in the U.S. It is a veritable nerd fest, but if you happen to be Scottish you can't help but like it. Plus, did you know that Chainmail comes in a halter top? Me neither.