Lady Bugs

Our little Joy has always been our little lady bug.

One of our friends, Krystal Brown, gave us a gift of 1750 live lady bugs to celebrate Joy's finalization!

So on to the pictures:

Joy, Izzy and the Lady Bugs

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Bad Hair day for our Joy Joy!

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Look at all those Lady Bugs

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Becca shaking the Lady Bugs onto the Rose. if you look close you can see the lady bugs falling onto the roses.

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Invasion of the Lady Bugs!!!!!

Izzy just giggled and giggled as they climbed up her leg.

You should have seen us - a bunch of freaking out, giggling girls over a bunch of ladybugs! It was too fun!

Thanks Krystal!!

Wild West Fest

On our way to Grandmas house to gather dewberries we stopped at a fun family festival.

The High Meadows Ranch development had a Wild West Festival to help sell their land. It was set up to be very family friendly.

there were many fun activities for everyone.

They had food, a petting zoo, cotton candy, golf putting, digging for gems, an open house, and fun music.

The kids loved dancing to the songs

Joy also enjoyed the outing.

Choir Performance

Sammi and Jessi had a choir performance. 

Grandma and Mandy came.

The girls performed all of their songs.

After we went to TCBY and had many blue tongues. (they all wanted the blue ice cream)

More Pictures of Adoption Day

 

We brought two cameras to the court to make sure that we got pictures.  In true Murphy's law style the batteries were dead in both cameras and we were only able to get 5 or 6 pictures that were in the previous post.

We asked another couple if they could take a picture of our family sitting on the bench waiting and that is when we discovered that our cameras were dead.

He was so nice that he took pictures with his camera and got our e-mail address and sent us these wonderful pictures.

Turpin Family waiting for Court:

Turpin Family in front of the Judge:

The Courthouse in Fort Bend County:

 

THANK YOU GARLAND for taking the pictures!!!!!!

Adoption Day

Today was a wonderful day!!!!

Today we woke up very early (4:30 for adults and 5 AM for kids - ugh).  Then we got ready and drove through an amazing rain storm down to the Fort Bend County Court House.

We walked into the wrong court.  We obviously looked out of place - so they sent us over to the Family Court, instead of the Criminal Court. (!)

The kids were able to go through their first metal detectors (exciting!).  Upstairs on the third floor, we meet other families having their adoptions finalized.  We were the third family to finalize today.  We all came up to the front (all seven of us!!) when we were called.  We were all sworn in (the Judge was being kind to the kids - it was cute!).  Then the attorney read through the Adoption Decree and asked us a bunch of questions.  Then the judge asked us if we had any questions.  Then he asked the kids if they had any questions.  He handed out a stuffed animal to all the kids.  (They were turtles - we named Joy's "Judge.")   Then he granted the request.  It was over - we have officially adopted Joy!  WAHOO!

Daddy, Joy, and Mama

 

Joy, Daddy, and Judge the Turtle

On the way home, we drove through our old neighborhood and got to visit with my friend, Myra.  That was nice to catch up!

We stopped at the newly re-opened Valley Ranch and Grill for lunch.  It was yummy! 

Five Turpin girls - legally, even!

Our baby is officially 100% ours!  WAHOO!  YEAH! 

Happy Day!!

Victoria Rose Leavitt

Today we went down to Sugar Land for Victoria's Baby Blessing.
Poor Brad got violently sick on the way to church! So my Dad blessed Victoria. It was a lovely blessing! What I remember the most is that she will have a sweet temperment, that she will marry in the temple, and be blessed with many children born in the covenant.
Here is a picture of the sweet girl!

A Lovely Day

As you know from the last blog post, Asia and Kathie are here for the baby blessing.
On Saturday we went to the park for a picnic and played at the playground. Later a bunch of us went to see Horton Hears A Who. We had a wonderful time! A mini-family reunion before the big reunion this summer!

Asia and Aurora

Donna is blessing her baby, Victoria, on Sunday. My sisters, Asia and Kathie, will be here for the blessing! Yeah!
Asia came in on Tuesday. She was able to stay us that night. Her baby, Aurora, is now 3 1/2 months old. Aurora has the most beautiful blue eyes!
This is Becca holding Aurora: :)

Washington on the Brazos

We went to Washington on the Brazos and had a wonderful time.
Sister Miller taught us about Post Oak Savannah ecosystem.
Then we went on a nature hike, looking for trees, flowers, and wildlife.
There were tons of wildflowers - enjoy the pictures!

Piano Lessons

Sammi and Jessi take lessons from Sister McIntosh in our ward. They are doing well and progressing. We are pleased. But Lizzy never wants to be left out, so Becca is teaching Lizzy. It's so cute and she's learning! Yeah Bec! Yeah Liz!