Oh Happy Day!

January held many special moments for our family.

Bob retired after 36 years.

Ben turned 7!

And our entire family got to witness the readoption of Claire.

Really she was adopted in China in May with just Jessica and Ryan present.

I forget exactly why they did this one, it may have had something to do with getting an American birth certificate.  {I don't remember, but it was something to do with her being in the family for 6 months}

We just all thought it was so special to go to court and get to witness it for ourselves.

There were about 6 other families there, some domestic and some international. 

The domestic ones were of little 6 month old babies.  This was their "real" adoption.

Waiting for court to begin I had my 3 card shark grandsons.

And the rest of us waited in the hall, watching the little miss and all of her silly faces.

One of her new favorites is to stick out her tongue.  I love Elizabeth's expression in that one!

And then it was over, we all promised to love her forever and treat her as a natural born member of our family.

The court let each of the children pick out a stuffed animal.

That was a highlight!

The forever family:-)

She brings such joy to our family.