Anders Edward Ala

Anders was born 4:37pm Friday, July 8th. He was 8lbs 6oz.

Isaac doesn't quite know what is going on yet, but Ryder is super excited. Ryder said, "The baby is FINALLY out of mommy's tummy!"

We told Ryder that the baby's name is Anders and he said, "ya! I was hoping his name would be Anders!"

It looks like is it going to be Isaac and me with the brown hair and Camille, Ryder and Anders with blonde.

Happy Son's Day!

Today is Mothers Day and there was an article in the paper entitled "Happy Son's Day!". A mother expressed her love for her son who had died from cancer a few years ago. She expressed her feelings of gratitude for her son and how much joy and happiness her son gave her. Therefore, she thought Mother's Day should really be a "Happy Son's Day!"



Before adopting Ryder Mother's Day was always very emotional and hard for me. Rarely I even wanted to go to church that day just to be reminded that I was not a mother. However, after adopting Ryder Mothers Day is a day I will always cherish and remember the love Heavenly Father has for me because He answered my prayer of becoming a mother. How blessed I am to be a mother! How grateful I am to Ryder's birthmom who chose to give him so much more.



Ryder is 2 years and 3 months old and is everything to Owen and I. I now understand the love Heavenly Father has for each of us because of the love I have for Ryder.



I can't believe I haven't posted since last October. Ryder has reached so many milestones since then. He can say sentences and ask questions, he knows all the letters, colors, and shapes. We are still working on counting to ten...his counting goes 1, 2, 7, 8 (which makes us and everyone around us laugh in sacrament meeting when he counts anything and everything). When you ask him what his name is he responds with "Two!" and tries hard to hold up two fingers. When asked how old he is he responds with "Ryer"...still has a hard time with the "r" sound.



He is very bright. He has several hotwheel cars and definitely knows when one is missing! Cars or as he says "beep, beeps!" are still his favorite thing. He gives the sweetest hugs and kisses and makes Owen and I laugh and smile each and every day.

Happy Son's Day Ryder. I love you very much.



I am so grateful for the sealing ordinance. I am beyond grateful that we are sealed together as a family unit for time and all eternity.

I am a new Aunt!

I just wanted to share that I am a New Aunt! The amazing story began a couple weeks ago when my older sister asked Owen and I to fast and pray that they may get an adoption referral from China. They have been waiting for over 3 years now. When we fasted and prayed that Sunday the spirit was strong and I had a wonderful feeling. A short week later they received a referral! I can't begin to share how miraculous the power of prayer can be and how adoptions are truly in Heavenly Fathers hands for clearly several miracles need to pass for them to turn out the way they are supposed to.

As an adoptive mother you just start to get a feeling that your child is out there and sure enough my sister got the feeling and knew it was time to find her baby girl. She has always felt strongly that she should adopt from China. When people ask her why China she says "Because my daughter is in China."

See her blog below...

http://heid-ourjourneytoyou.blogspot.com/

Ryder's Hair and Halloween 2008

I had to show a few pictures of Ryder's morning hair! The first picture is at the Balloon Fiesta around 5:30am. In the background is one of the balloons starting it's fire. The warmth and sound of the fire was incredible.



Do you think I need a hair cut??





Who do you think purchased this outfit??

International Balloon Fiesta - Oct 2008

ABQ is known for the International Balloon Fiesta. It was very impressive! You may see the cow balloon above Owen's head. They have all sorts of shapes and sizes. You have to be at the festival very early (5:30am) to see the balloons take off. Ryder liked the balloons but he was still tired and more interested in his banana!

Arches National Park - Owens B-Day

For Owen's 30th birthday we camped at Arches National Park. It's only 6 hours from ABQ which made it a great meeting place for family. We hiked delicate arch, had smores, and enjoyed being in nature with family.

Below is my twin, her husband, and her twin girls Briana and McKenna. My parents are in the next picture with all of us. Thank you family for coming with us!!

September 2008 in Utah

For Owen's first week of vacation we drove to Utah and enjoyed being with family.

My parents live by Liberty Park, SLC and they have an amazing stream waterpark that Ryder loved! We went almost everyday.

My sister watched Ryder so that Owen and I could kayak down the Provo river. There were actually alot of rapids in the end of September!!

We also enjoyed mountain biking trips along the pipeline trail and others.

The New Mexico State Fair - September 2008

I was very impressed with the NM State Fair. It was huge! They had many things to see and do. Ryder and his friend Cambria had a ton of fun. McDonalds put together a farm production where kids could go and do a walk through activity as if living on the farm.

Ryder and Cambria wearing fire man hats.

One of the activities at the farm was picking apples and acorns.

Ryder's favorite...feeding the animals!!

Summer 2008, Ryder loved riding his bike and the pool in our backyard.
Summer 2008, playing with the hose.
Last walk in Central Park, May 2008.
In April 2008, we went to Hilton Head, SC!!