Big Day!

Normally going to court doesn't have the best connotation, but every once in a while, it means something good.

It means that little Nate is now Official.

That's the judge who signed the papers making him now and forever the child of D3 and hubby, brother to the Grandcarrot, and cousin to all those other kids.

I love the look on his face. It's as if he's saying, what am I in for now?

Not to worry, little guy, just more of the same love and attention and affection you've been getting since you were born!


Since Blogger puts pictures up in kind of random order, you're going to be seeing them that way. I'll try to make notes to make sense of this.

And yes, I know I can reorder the pictures. Hey, how long has it been since I posted? And you want to make it harder for me?

Anyway, the celebratory luncheon after the adoption proceedings was at our favorite Chinese restaurant. Here's Garrett with his chopsticks.

He has a little way to go before he's as good with them as Tori and Lizzie.

Audrey's trying to use hers, too.

I hate the red-eye. I really need to learn to use the camera software to correct that.

Maybe once the house is finished? All the boxes emptied?



She really was enjoying the afternoon.

Garrett was playing with the blocks that Auntie D5 made. They were a gift to Nate, packed in that blue starry bag which D5 also made.

Nate says, for me??

Here's another courthouse shot, this time just the family with the judge.

Hey, at least we didn't have to go to Utah this time!

In the courthouse, as you walk in (after going through security check of course) there is this huge quilt hanging on the wall. Each of the 4" blocks was done by or for a different child--a reminder of what this particular courthouse is dedicated to.

We did some sitting around outside while waiting for our hearing time to come up.

Well, some of us sat. Some stood up and walked around.

And some let themselves be wrangled by their memere. Yes, they would have preferred to be off and running. Well, Garrett can run. Nate has mastered the "Army crawl" although he can get up on his hands and knees. He will also stand up holding on to hands or something supportive.

All in all, it was a big day and a happy one. For a while, we were able to kind of set aside worries and troubles and all the rest of the everyday cares, and just focus on what makes us joyful: family. Near family and far family.

As usual, more pictures on my Flickr page; you know the drill!

Thanks to everyone for their good wishes and happy thoughts for us all!