February Leapt On By!

Even with an extra day thrown into last month, I still find myself behind with so much to do.  Where the heck did the month go?  I just couldn't find the time to blog although I thought about it frequently (yes...usually during my 3-hour commute I'm constructing a blog entry...).  So once again, here's a catch up on the last month.

We spent Valentine's Day home like we have for years now.  Only this year, I raced home and cooked up a Spaghetti dinner since it's our little angel's favorite.  In fact, Kristina would eat pasta with butter every single day of the week if we let her.  And for dessert?  Well, our cards to each other were accompanied by See's Candy Hearts and Kristina came home with a boatload of candy attached to Valentine's cards from her friends at school.  Needed nothing more!  Oh, and Kristina has made it very clear that she doesn't have one boyfriend....she has THREE.  Yep, Ricky, Johncarlo, and Michael have taken Keagan's place since Keagan transferred out last year.  God help us when she is 16....

One excited girl on Valentine's Day!

Striking a pose for the camera



Our stylish little Valentine


Here's a few random February photos of our angel, the love of our life...

While I was getting my hair done, Shushan decided to quickly give Kristina an Updo!
Doesn't she look like such a big girl here?

Acting silly at seeing her new hairstyle!

The photo is not clear not only because it was my iPhone but also because Kristina was in a hurry tying her shoes and watching SpongeBob at the same time!  K's been tying her shoes since Christmas -- double-knot and all!

We love our little monkey who will climb and jump off of anything -- no fear!

Speaking of love, we have dear friends who live near and far who we love so much but don't get to see as much as we would like to.  Over this last year, we have been fortunate to get together with some of them but I just didn't get the chance to post about our visits.

And now for their blog debut...!

Kristina finally got to meet my dear childhood friends from Avon Lake, OH: Donna (L) and Annamarie (R)
I can only wish for Kristina to have best friends like Donna and Annamarie!

Kristina hadn't seen Uncle Michael in a few years.  And Michael, we are thankful to God that you are feeling better!

"Whoa...Uncle Ralph likes powder donuts like me!"

Aunt Roseanne and Grammy went to grammar school together...guess you could say we've been "family" for a long time!

"The Girls":  Kiera (Cindy and Ken's daughter), Tricia, Kristina and Riley (T &R are Laura and Chris' daughters).
Our Santa Barbara Getaway!

Aunt Laura lives 10 minutes away but life keeps us so busy that we can't get together as much as we'd love to.  That has to change this year!

Jennifer, here with her husband, Mac, was my first friend when I moved to CA from OH at the age of 16.  Jennifer hadn't seen Kristina since she was home one month from Russia.  Good times...just like when we were in our teens!  

Special February Birthday

It's not everyday when a family member reaches such a milestone of turning 100 years old!  Kristina hasn't had the pleasure of meeting Auntie Kate since she lives in England but family members worldwide celebrated Auntie Kate's birthday on February 23.  Family in England had a party and Auntie Kate received birthday wishes from the Queen as well as a certificate from the Vatican with a Papal Blessing *plus* a signed photo from the Pope!  Well, looks like Auntie Kate has been hob nobbing with the best of them!

Happy Birthday, Auntie Kate!
Our family has been blessed to share so many wonderful memories with you!

Upcoming Event:

In about 1 1/2 weeks, we have our FINAL Post Placement Report meeting with the Social Worker (the yearly "check in" we agreed to when in court).  So if I appear to be missing in action, it's only because I'm kicking my Spring Cleaning gig into high gear before she gets here!