Another Cousin...

Another Cousin...

The day after Christmas we headed back to my parents house for lunch.

An unexpected surprise. My cousin Gabrielle was in town for the Holidays visiting from Germany. She is one of two cousin from Germany that I had never actually met before.

Gabby is wonderful... I wish she didn't have to return to Germany so quickly.

You there yet Gabby? ;o)

Anyway... we had a nice visit.

~

Below Mommy , Tamara & Gabby check out pictures on my Aunts Laptop.

Welcome home... Nado and Radmila... my "young" Aunt and Uncle.

Share photos of their new vacation residence in Croatia.

Mommy, Tamara and Cousin Gabby

Smile ;o)

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Back home Tamara hugs her life size calf pillow.
Auntie Olga... think smaller... please.

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The Pitter Patter of little feet is heard up in the hallway.
Daddy and Tamara are racing?

Tamara decides to take a tooth brushing break.

OK?

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Over The River and Through The Woods .. Round #2

Over The River and Through The Woods ..

To Grandmothers House We Go.

Christmas dinner was at my parents home.

Tamara surrounded by Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. There was no doubt they were out to spoil her a bit this year.

From a Baby Grand to a custom My Twinn Doll to a quad for joy rides.

But the most meaningful and touching gift by far came from Cousin Katie.

If you remember Katie recently won the cute kid contest with your help. Well when Katie was interviewed by the local radio station that sponsored the contest. When asked what she was going to do with all the prizes... she said. "I wanted it for my newly adopted little cousin."

Yes she gave Tamara her Grand prize.

Need a tissue?

Is that sweet or what?

Thanks Katie. Tamara is still a little young to fully understand why this gift is so special but she will someday soon. ;o)

~

Below Tamara watches the family in amazement. I can relate... I still do this sometimes..lol. Just kidding... I'm used to them by now. NOT! Ha

Katie helping Tamara with a package

Katie who takes Piano from a Georgian woman named Tamara shows Tamara a few notes on her Baby Baby Grand.

Thanks Auntie Jay and Uncle Carlos... she plays every day.

Tamara trying out her new piano.

Is this cute or what?

Tamara playing... love the moves. She's a natural.

So as you can see Tamara had a great day. And since she managed to get everything but a playroom for Christmas. That's what I'll put on top of my wish list. Hint... Hint... Daddy.

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Santa was here... Santa was here ... Round #1

Santa was here...

Being the good Elf that I am... I personally saw him. ;o)

Christmas morning Tamara woke up pretty easily although it was almost 9:00 am.

Yes... I know... such an easy child. ;o)

Anyway... Mommy got her up, washed and brushed and brought her down in her PJ's.

First gift she opened was her new red robe with matching slippers.

OK... now she was warm and cozy and picture perfect.

The look of disbelief on her face she proceeded to open her gifts.

Tamara trying to open her Mega block princess castle.

A Tea set from Santa

As you can see she's perfected her gift opening skills.

Elmo Live

For the past few months Tamara would reach for this Elmo at the stores.

Mommy kept saying... "Be a good girl and maybe Santa will bring you one"

A 3 tier cake stand for her kitchen


By far my favorite gift ever.
Tamara made this in Preschool for us.
An angel made out of her hand prints. Meant to be an ornament for the tree.
Mommy had it framed by lunch. ;o)
She was very excited to be able to give us a gift... concerned if we would like it and then very happy when she saw how much we loved it.
Yes... it brought tears to our eyes.
Another first for us... our first gift from our daughter and I'm sure the most precious.



The first time since Gotcha Day 08 that Tamara seemed overwhelmed.
Here she takes a break from opening gifts. Curls up in Mommy's lap so we can read a new book together.

OK... back to the gifts.

She and Daddy check out her 911 book

Hold it Daddy

The Grand Finally.... Drum roll please...

Tamara opens her play kitchen.



As you can see she loves it... Yay!

Opening gifts took about 3 hours in total.

Stopping for book break and breakfast.

Then it was time to get dressed and get ready for Dido and Grandma's

That... we will call Round #2.

Stay tuned... it's coming

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Cookies and Milk

Cookies and Milk... Yum

Christmas Eve getting cookies and milk ready for Santa.

He didn't seem to mind that Tamara helped herself to his midnight snack.

But I want to...

OK... ok.. I'll leave Santa some.

Gingerbread cookies... my favorite.

Mommy.. I think I need a refill for Santa

Yummy snack

After our little princess fell a sleep... Santa and his elf got to work.
It took her over an hour of tossing and turning before she actually fell a sleep.
I guess I over stressed the "YOU have to go to sleep so Santa comes."
She was too excited to sleep. lol. Too cute.
~
This is what it looked like Christmas Eve before we let her loose Christmas Morning.

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More coming.... stay tuned.

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Gingerbread spin

Gingerbread spin.

Well we're back... breath... breath.

Bruce informed me yesterday that today is in fact New Years Eve?

Eeek... where did that come from? Seriously time is just sneaking up on me these days.... very strange!

So... there will be no New Years Eve Party this year. Not that I didn't think about it... I did. It wouldn't have been that bazaar for me to whip up such an event with 24 hrs notice... usually. But this year we have Tamara. Get me to bed by 8 or else.... Tamara. And well I didn't think she would be willing to go to bed with a New Years party in full swing down stairs. I also thought about inviting people over after she's sleeping but then again she'd probably wake up hearing a party horn / noise maker. Gotta have those for New Years. ;o)

So here we are December 31st 2008

For the first time in my adult life... party-less on New Years Eve?

WoW... lol.

OK... so to all you parents out there... I need creative suggestions.

How did or do you celebrate New Years with a young child?

~
Below Tamara decorates her Gingerbread house.

Yummy... candy

Lets take it for a spin.

OK... we're going to try and update this today with a spurt of shorter posts... in between running errands, playing Mommy and celebrating 2008. Yeah... 2008. I can't imagine another year that can compare. ;o)

~

Mommy needs Coffee... Later!

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

Just waiting for Tamara to wake up ...

she was too excited to sleep last night.. so we're letting her sleep in.

This may be the last Christmas for Mommy and Daddy to sleep in as well...

you know past 6:00 am ..lol

OK... Mommy needs a double shot of coffee this morning so we'll catch ya later.

We'd like to wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas and the Happy and Healthiest of New Years!

Oh.. Yeah.. Today is also 200 days home in the USA with Tamara.

200 days ago she steps off the plane at Kennedy Airport and became an instant US citizen. Time sure does fly when you're having fun ;o) .

~~~

Holiday Sing

Holiday Sing

Tamara's first public performance was her Holiday Sing at Preschool. Mommy and Daddy seated in the first row camera and video camera in tow were very proud of our little girl. While some other children froze, cried and tried to run off stage. Our little girl bopped to the music, shook her jiggle bells, tried to sing, smiled, waved and blew Mommy and Daddy kisses. No stage freight here. ;o) Sooo Cute!

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Tamara models her Christmas Dressy coat set.

"I'm Ready"

Holiday Sing

Big Kids.. 4-5 year olds in the back

2-3 year olds up front.

"Hum... is that Mommy behind that camera?"



Looking at her teacher who was coaching the little ones.

There's that little girl smile. ;o)

Watching her teacher who was holding the other little girls hand through out the performance.

Are they cute or what?

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OK... Elf update.

Your cards are still here... almost finished.

Tamara's gifts are wrapped and hiding until Santa comes.

Gingerbread house is finished.

Cookies... cookies? Oh snap I forgot the cookies again. Do you think Santa would mind a protein bar instead? ;o)

Having down load issues this morning .

More later.... gotta get back to it!

~~~