Happy Adoption Day, Isabelle!

Four years ago we traveled to Kazakhstan to bring home our precious Isabelle. We don't know how we got so lucky to have such a wonderful little girl but we are so thankful. There are many important dates in the adoption process so choosing just one to celebrate is a bit hard to do. Even after we met Isabelle in Kazakhstan we still had six weeks to go before she finally came home with me after a 30 hour plus travel day and we were reunited with Jason in Seattle. April 23rd was the date we were all finally home together so that's the date we've chosen to celebrate.

Isabelle's referral picture. This is the only picture we ever received and it came to us several months before we finally traveled to Kazakhstan.

The day we met Isabelle and our first family picture! She was so beautiful in her bonnet when the caregiver brought her into the room. We couldn't believe she was really our little girl.
After two weeks of visitation we went to court to officially adopt her then it was more waiting while travel documents were prepared.

Someday we would love to take Isabelle back to Kazakhstan to visit.

This evening we celebrated Isabelle's adoption day by eating potato pierogis with mushrooms and onions. (The pungent aroma of onions and potatoes always greeted us as we entered the baby house on our daily visits to see Isabelle.)

Isabelle loved her tasty meal!

For dessert we had doughnuts that we dipped in sweetened condensed milk. This was a favorite dessert of ours in Kazakhstan!

Maddy loved getting in on the doughnut action too!

We decided to give Isabelle one small present this year to celebrate her being part of our family.

We have some special items from Kazakhstan we are saving for her when she gets older so today's gift was really just for fun.

New pajamas!

Happy adoption day Isabelle! You made our family complete the moment we held you in our arms! We love you!