Special Days

"Life is not measured by the amount of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away."

My sister Joyce gave me this quote last month when we went to the Manhattan LDS Temple with our daughter. I have since read this quote many times and felt happy to have been blessed with our daughter. Over the last eight months there have been several moments that have taken my breath away. The first day I held Sienna, the night I brought her home, many nights as I rock her to sleep and when she grabs my face and gives me very wet kisses. The last three months have been extra special because we were able to go to court in November to finalize our adoption, in December we were able to go to the temple with our little girl and last Sunday we were able to bless her. Doesn't she look beautiful in white.


The evening we went to the temple. It was to dark and cold to get pictures outside in front of the temple, but we were to happy to enjoy this special moment with family anyways.


Sienna looking beautiful in her white dress. (And yes I don't know what is up with her and her tongue. Her new favorite face to make is with her tongue out)


Many of our family and friends were able to attend the Sienna's blessing on Sunday.


As you can see, Sienna is very happy. She smiled and screamed out for joy. I will treasure each moment that takes my breath away and I look forward to many more.

I love the fall, but . . .

When I woke up one morning (In New Jersey) and realized that it had snowed I got very excited. I have not seen snow in years and even though it was only a little snow I ran to get my camera to capture the moment. I loved how the sun was shining through the trees and the icicles



Originally I was going to take a picture of the bird feeder with the cardinal, but as I stepped closer for a better shot he flew away.



I did get one of him hiding in the trees. I wish he had been a little more cooperative for me. :-)

Fun Christmas

Yea it is Christmas.....

We had a busy Vacation. Sienna took her first Airplane ride, saw snow for the first time, met her Aunts and Uncle on Kim's side of the family and enjoyed her first Christmas. She was spoiled with new clothes and fun toys.

She also got to see New York City for the first time. She was awestruck by all the noise and people.

The Big Bad Santa

Tis the season to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. We thought that Sienna would be excited to meet Santa Clause, especially since she was so happy to see Mickey Mouse and has always loved meeting new people.

We were wrong. . . So very wrong. Oh well Maybe next year.

Our Big Day.......

This year we had a special blessing to be thankful for at Thanksgiving. Our little Sienna turned six months old and we got to finalize her adoption. Yesterday we went before the judge and he made us swear to be the best parents possible for our little girl. He then declared us to be a legal family before the State of California and told us he hoped to see us back again soon with a brother or sister for Sienna.

We had some of Steve's family come out and some friends from our ward. The noise of four squealing kids echoing throughout the court house helped move our case from 18th on the docket to third. Kids really are a blessing. : )

Sienna was a little groggy during the Ceremony since it was her nap time, but she perked up pretty quick afterward.

"You just adopted the sweetest little baby around, what are you guys going to do next? We are going to Disneyland....... Yeah!"

Sienna always loves Disneyland since it is like watching cartoons in real life.

We were worried that she would be afraid of Mickey, but she was in heaven and didn't want to leave Mickey's house. She was so excited she would not take her normal naps. Mom and Dad payed for that last night at 12:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 and 5:30. But it was a special day and a special occasion so I guess it's worth it.

Fun with Photoshop

I tend to be they type of person who doesn't like to try new things. I get in my comfort zone and like to stay there. This week I have been trying two things that are new. I really like photography and want to get better so I have been trying to take my camera off the auto settings. I have also started trying to use photoshop more. With the help from my notes (taken while I listened to my good friend Crystal), I tried more black and white pictures with a hint of color. What do you think? Next week I may even try different poses rather than my comfortable close up shot.

I love that Sienna has such a sweet smile and lets me take photos of her.

I love this shot of her. What a sweet and happy baby I have.

Halloween

This year we decided to take Sienna trick-or -treating with our friends Neil and Leilani, and Crystal and Opy and all their children. We gathered all the children together for a nice group photo . . .And this is what we got. We tried,

and tried

and tried to get everyone to look at the camera. This is what we ended up with. We did not get a shot where everyone was looking at the camera, but we had fun anyways. Which is your favorite photo?

Pumpkin Patch

This week we took Sienna to the pumpkin patch. I have been looking forward to this for several months. I love to take pictures and now that I have a little girl, I have a constant model. Unfortunately Sienna does not always like to pose for her mama. This time, however she was fun to photograph. My friend Crystal showed me how to do this black and white picture. Doesn't it look Greeeaaat!

My sweet little Tigger.


"I found the one I want mama! Can we take it home!?!"


"It won't move!"

Sienna decided to settle for a smaller pumpkin. Our trip to the pumpkin patch was a success! We can't wait to go back next year.

Sienna Talking

Steve is trying to teach Sienna to talk. He swears she is saying Papa. You decide...

Sienna's first Disneyland visit

On Wednesday we took Sienna to Disneyland with her birth mom. It was Sienna's first time . . . since she has been born. Her birth mom loves Disneyland and has been once a month for the last couple of years. We learned that while she was pregnant with Sienna she went on many of the rides in both theme parks.


Disneyland was decorated for the Halloween/fall season and we saw many pumpkins, including a huge Micky pumpkin.


These were some of my favorite pictures that I took of Disneyland in the Halloween spirit.

Sienna loved Disneyland. She was excited and happy to be there. I am sure she will not remember her first time to Disneyland, but I have a feeling we will be back often.