Family Reunion

The reason why the whole family descended upon Monett on this particular weekend, the big Hemphill Family Reunion!  We got to catch up with family members we hadn't seen in years!

Smith Family

L-R: Smiths (Jonathan, Valarie, Hudson, Whitlee) Pop Pop & GG, Freudenburgs (Laurie, Dan, and Evan) Below: Meachums (Rachael, Chris, Charlotte, and Presley)

This is right before Evan stood behind Presley and got smacked pretty good

Everyone was exhausted by this point, Everyone needed a nap!!

Right before he got in trouble for playing in the water!

Evan stole Whitlee's Pretty Princess shoes, he cried when we finally took them off!

Evan thought if he sat on his toy car no one else could use it

Happy Birthday Hudson and Whitlee

After our long day at the safari zoo we enjoyed an evening celebrating Hudson and Whitlee's birthday at a Bounce Party!  For a kid that hated slides just a few days prior Evan decided he loved them and couldn't get enough!

Whitlee loving the bounce house

Birthday Pizza

Birthday Cupcakes!

I burned way too many calories helping Evan up each slide multiple times!

Wild Gentry Safari

While visiting my family in Missouri and Arkansas we visited Gentry Wildlife Safari, in Gentry Arkansas.  I assume the exotic animal laws are a little lax in Arkansas because there seem to be several of these type zoos.  Evan loves petting zoos so we thought it would be fun for the entire Hemphill clan. We started off in the petting zoo area and by the time we were done and ready for the drive-through area Evan was fast asleep for a long overdue nap so Dan and I got to enjoy the wildlife together!

Evan was so happy despite an bump on the arm

Out of the dozen photos taken on the log couldn't get all of them to smile at same time, but I love that Presley is eating the stale bread meant for the animals

Meachum Family

Evan wasn't happy because we wouldn't let him inside the monkey cage!  He loves Curious George!

Charlotte and giant turtle

Presley kept trying to unlatch the Boa Constrictor cage, she didn't understand why that wasn't a great idea!

Val and a Prarie dog

I think the zebra was preggers

the deer were a little too comfortable coming up tot he cars

Rhino: Wish I had a better photo but decided to follow the rules and stay in the car

I had never seen a white bison

Kangaroo and Joey tucked in there

Evan loves to chase ANY bird

Cousins!

Our families joined together this past weekend for a 'toddler shower' for Evan.  It was amazing, Evan did so well! A real prince charming, a bit of a flirt in fact.  It was so fun to have so many cousins all together.  When everyone did first meet it did have a north meets south feeling!  My sister, Rach and her family traveled from Houston, Texas; Val and her family from Fayetteville AR; and my parents from Monett, MO. And the Freudenburg/Day family was from all other Minnesota and Wisconsin!  I wish I had more photos of the actual shower but as you can imagine I was a little preoccupied so until I hunt some down I have posted other photos of the weekend!

Let me assure you we do clothe him, but he is so messy with yogurt/breakfast we wanted to make sure he was done eating! He is playing cars with his cousin, Hudson (also Korean born)

Hudson and Evan sharing some Captain Crunch (notice Evan isn't going to let go of the car even for breakfast!)

It was sooooo HOT!  The kids had left the pool for the driveway toys (that is why the no shirts)

Presley made the photo in this one, she loved the Jeep!

Charlotte with the bubbles

more car competition

I have said since we first laid eyes on Evan many many months ago- He takes after his PopPop with his hair!

 

Evan is NOT a sharer - Hudson sang the "sharing" song over and over and over again all weekend, I kept thinking maybe Evan would get the hint.

Our first Post Placement with Social Worker

We have been home for one whole month!  Just to be clear - It has to be the longest month of my life.  In preparation of our visit we needed to submit photos of Evan (and some with us) to share with his birth mother, foster mother, and the adoption agency.  We also wrote letters and filled out a bunch of paperwork.  I was under no illusion that the paperwork would end once we got him home, but really?  I feel like entertaining Evan is a full time job, now paperwork???  Ha!

By the way the social worker thinks we are doing just fine - a little sleep deprived but good.  In fact his attachment to us is great, better than expected!   We figure what are sleep and food issues when you have attachment?  We will get there!

It almost looks like Mocha is interested in the story - it is actually the crackers in Evan's right hand!

My kid loves cereal (and milk but that is about it)

 

Every other day Apa has morning duty, which includes a very manly breakfast on the sofa watching cartoons, not sure who enjoys it more. This is what I walked into the other morning.

 

And finally he shares with Mocha

Mommy's First

Before we returned from Seoul with Evan I had dreamed about all the 'firsts' we had missed, but so many yet to come, I never thought about my "firsts" until this week.
- my first playdate (this may have been more for me than Evan) and at that first playdate I wasn't even thinking like an experienced mom when I didn't convince Evan that his special red motorcycle would remain safe in my bag while he played, no need to carry it around the entire playground.  Instead I was so excited that he was having fun and playing with other children it never crossed my mind.
- my first 'hunt for the lost toy'  it was only when I began strapping Evan into his carseat I realized the toy we came with was nowhere to be found. I then started my first "search and rescue" attempt. I was unsuccessful and I knew I need to get home only to pass Evan off to Dan for their standing appointment at the pool.  I returned to said park again. I search and search but someone little kid had already made off with our treasure.
- the playdate ended at McDonalds where all the other kids were enjoying the chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers and Evan enjoyed some milk and 2 french fries.  Who knew I would want my kid to eat fast food? He is so picky.