Our weekend! *updated*

We here at the Leonard household had one truly amazing weekend!

Uncle Owen, Aunt Amy, and Katie drove all the way from Michigan just to spend some time with us!

We had such a wonderful time and are so looking forward to seeing them again very soon!
(both families are planning a trip to TN in the summer)

I'll have photos from our weekend to post later on today...I ended up not taking very many because we were all just so caught up in wanting to really spend some time together....

They just left about an hour ago and Francesca is asking us if they will be back tomorrow, all the while I am crying my eyes out...how did two families, who met through this amazing journey of adoption, hit it off, become best friends and are now our family......

(OK now I am crying again)

*updated*

I finally got calmed down enough to download the photos from my camera and uploaded to this post. Keith has a few saved on his iPhone that I am waiting for him to download (once he does, I'll post them too).

Katie and Francesca!





(now, isn't that one so sweet!)

We had such a great weekend (as I mention before) and we can't wait until we see them again...which according to Francesca is "Tomorrow."

I've been tagged!

Looks like I have been tagged by my truly amazing friend, Colleen (sorry it has taken me so long to get to it....)

(you can find her at www.crazy-eight.blogspot.com)


I am to list 7 strange/weird things you may not know about me.

(Rules are as follows...you are to link the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.)



I think I have done this before so I am going to try and tell you 7 things about myself that I haven't already told. Ok...here it goes...



1: I love my coffee! I must drink at least 10 cups a coffee a day!



2: Not sure how strange this one is but I have my nail tech license, realtor license, and my degree in business management/marketing (even thought I don't use any of them). I am a very happy "stay at home" mom!



3: I love watching sport fishing shows. If there is a fishing show on...I am watching it. (I can't wait until we go this year...)



4: Speaking of fishing...I actually won a Flounder Fishing Contest in southern New Jersey that was sponsored by Yamaha back during the summer of '93. My name, date of catch, and flounder details are posted still to this day at the marina. (I also receive a nice size check for my catch).



5: Keith, my husband, was the first man I dated that had children from a previous marriage.



6: I have been proposed to "a few" times before saying "I do"... (and I am not telling you how many)



7: I hate having tags on my clothes (you know those annoying tags that state the designer's name, size and washing instructions...hate them) so as soon as I get any new piece of clothing, the first thing I do is cut off the tags!





So there you have it! My tags will be posted soon......

Still Counting....

10 MONTHS LID!

Chinese + Italian = Chinese New Year at the Pompey Leonard's

(home-made macs with meat sauce and fried meatballs per Francesca's request...now doesn't that look so good!)





Celebrating Chinese New Year 2008 at Grandma's house on Sunday!





Having so much fun!








Just a little decorating to ring in the New year...








Family photos...





Francesca & Daddy








Francesca, G.G. and Mommy








Francesca & Auntie








Francesca & Grandma








Francesca is Grandma's Offical Taste Test Chef...Here she is trying out the pasta to make sure it is cooked enough.








Francesca eating one of her favorite meals!








After eating the macs, it is off to the cake (and of course, everyone had to sing "Happy Chinese New Year" while Francesca got ready to blow out the candles)








Francesca received a few red envelopes and a present from Grandma and G.G. which she is opening up here...








She got this beautiful Chinese deco handbag with matching wallet that looks like a Chinese Take Out container. I have seen other take out container purses in the past, but the one my mom got for Francesca is just breath-takingly beautiful.





(kind of hard to tell the detail work within the purse seeing how Francesca is holding it sideways)








We truly had a great CNY!

Finally...the last of the Birthday photos and at Wegman's with Grandma!

Here are the last of the Birthday photos!



By request...Francesca's Mulan Cake!



(baked by Grandma)



Opening presents at Grandma's house...(on the evening of Jan 20th)





(with some help from Grandma)



(she got a medical kit from Grandma and G.G. which she totally loves!)



Singing "Happy Birthday" while Francesca was clapping and singing too...



(she blew out all of the candles in one shot)



Francesca's Mulan Birthday Cupcakes that we served at her Chuck E. Cheese party!





Francesca blowing out the candles...again!





Francesca and Chuck E. Cheese





(I'll tell you, her party at Chuck E. Cheese was so well worth it! Our party hostess was incredible and knew exactly what needed to be done at what time. She did an amazing job! We just really had to show up & have some fun...which we did!)

At home, after the party with Little Andy. Francesca's older sister's (Amanda) little boy which makes Francesca, Aunt Francesca!


(don't you just love the crown Francesca is wearing...)


Now here are some photos that were taken by Grandma (my mom) while at Wegman's. It was her first time shopping while driving the store's car cart! She is just way too cute for words!











I also want to send out a Happy Chinese New Year 2008 to everyone! We did do the traditional fish supper Wednesday night at Grandma's! (sorry no photos, I forgot my camera). My mom and I totally decked out the whole house with Chinese decorations! Which I can't wait to show you guys! We are also having another dinner tomorrow and this time, I will remember to take my camera. So please check back for photos of our Chinese New Year celebration that will be posted early next week...



(by-the-way...the meal for this past Wednesday night was Francesca's pick...home-made macaroni with tunafish sauce...a favorite and again tomorrow Francesca's dinner choice is spaghetti with meat sauce! Do you think she enjoys Italian food?)