Snow Time!

Well, it's an understatement to say I had 2 very happy children this afternoon. Claire enjoyed her 1st snow thoroughly and by the end of the hour outside, she was eating it, rolling in it, and just plain giddy. Jesse of course, was in heaven and stayed outside til past dark. I hope it sticks around til at least tomorrow! Happy Snowing!


Claire with her big girl hair cut and bobby pin in place(we'll see how long the bobby pin lasts....)



That's all for now!
Love,Gretchen

More Gotcha Day Anniversary Pictures

Tonight we captured Claire and Jesse's special day by having dinner together as a family with both sets of grandparents on hand.....our poor waitress!!
Jesse eating his sugar filled desert...right before bedtime........
Claire posing with her favorite man!
Mrs.Hollingsworth, AKA Nana, did a great job of keeping Claire fed....Claire did not stop eating until we took her out of her highchair.
Grandma getting a little love from Claire. Both sets of grandparents were so sweet to share this day with our family. They both had wonderful special gifts for Claire to remember her Gotcha Day in the future!

We are so greatful for our families and friends! Thanks to all who have called and emailed us on the wonderful day. We love you!

Gretchen, Lance, Jesse, and Claire

Happy Gotcha Day Claire!!!

Well, this is a very special day in the Hollingsworth Home. This is the 1 year anniversary of getting Claire! Oh how much has happened in just one year. Claire has totally come out of her shell and is as wonderful as we all prayed for. This is also a special day for Jesse, as he became a big brother on this day also! In the past year, we have been privelaged enough to see many of Claire's "Firsts". Her first time crawling, walking, talking, and many others. We thank God every day for the Little Miracle that has made our family complete.

Jesse and I pray every day that her birth parents know that she is happy, healhy, and safe here with us. This is the nanny who brought Claire from the orphanage to us. This is our 1st glimpse of Claire!
Here's mommy the emotional and sleep deprived wreck holding Claire for the 1st time.
Claire was in a state of shock for quite a while. Just taking it all in, I think!
Lance's 1st time holding Claire!

Thanks to everyone for following the blog, as I will continue to update it at the requests of many friends and family! We love you all!

Love, Gretchen

Winter Fun!!!

Well, we drove up to St.Louis last week to spend some quality time with Jesse and to meet Lances's sister, Jenny, who lives in Nebraska. We took Jesse skiing at the Hidden Valley Ski and had a blast. Jesse fell less and less each time down. We will definitely be back. Claire enjoyed the time with both sets of her grandparents.
On the left is the "bunny slope" that we spent a lot of time on.....
At the top of the St. Louis arch...Jesse really enjoyed seeing the Mississippi River ane St.Louis Cardinals Stadium.
Jesse looking fierce......
We actually also visited the Anheiser/Busch Brewery and got to see all the different buildings and all the different stages of the beermaking process. It was quite interesting and amazing how large the campus is. The "grownups" got to taste test the products at the end of the tour. Jesse was equally proud of his Root Beer pretzels at the end also.


As soon as I figure out our new video camera, I will post video of Jesse on the slopes.

Will post soon!
Love, Gretchen

Claire Montana

Well, we were just sitting there, and when Claire heard this song, she went nuts. She spins herself dizzy every time. Enjoy! Oh...and by the way, Claire now answers to "Claire Montana." Will post more soon....video of Jesse won't be far behind!

Gretchen

Claire talking to herself.....

Well, Claire loves her old broken cell phone and has converstations wth herself often....I'm working on how to put video on my blog so please bear with me....I'll get better...enjoy!

Gretchen

Yucky Day!

Well, we're stuck in today as Jesse has a stomach virus. I hope so much that Claire, Lance, and I don't get it!! Well, I finally was able to get Claire's hair out of her eyes and into pigtails! I'm so glad her hair is finally growing!! She looks like a little girl to me, not like the baby we picked up in China 10 months ago.....

Here she is doing her "I'm a little bumbelbee" song from Mommy and Me Gymnastics class. She loves it and all the little things they do there each week!


Well, I promise to post as soon as I get some new pictures! Jesse will be included in them also! Love, Gretchen

Happy New Year!

Claire celebrated her 1st Chinese New Year yesterday at a wonderful celebration with all the other families with adopted Chinese children. Here she is with Margeaux, a little girl the same age as she. Claire just followed all the other Chinese girls around and Jesse went from room to room doing Chinese New Year crafts and had a blast.
Claire was in constant motion for 2 hours. We only have 1 still photo of her. Welcome to toddlerhood I guess!
Here are some of the older Chinese girls about to perform their Chinese dance routine. Grace (the one on her knees in the center) is our neighbor and goes to school with Jesse.
Here are some of the younger girls about to dance as well. They were all so cute! And cold I bet!

Sorry I don't have more pictures of Claire in her traditional Chinese dress, but she simply wouldn't stand still. Lance and I will put her in it again soon an try again. I will post again soon!

Love, Gretchen

Keeping Busy...

Claire continuing to love her new tea set and table and chairs she received for Christmas. She's always pretending to pour and serve us all!
Claire waiting on Mommy to put her down for her nap! She loves her baby, who we also call Claire!
Jesse, Claire, and their cousin Keri at a Lady Tigers game. Go Tigers!!
Cousins hand in hand after the game.....Claire is still playing with those pom poms!
Well, everyone is finally well in the Hollingsworth household, so we hope you all are having a fabulous January!
Love, Gretch

Happy New Year!!!

Well, the year has gotten off to a rolling start with Claire in Mommy and Me Gymnastics. She has only had 2 classes but is having a blast! Her little friend also from China, Lily Grace, is in the class also!! If Claire rolled once, she rolled fifty times!

Jesse had a sleepover with his cousins on New Year's Eve! Here Peyton, Alice, Jesse, and Claire were all making cookies with their choice of sprinkles!!
Tasting the finished product! Claire especially enjoyed all the extra sugar she never gets to have!!! The kids had a blast, shot fireworks, made their own pizzas, and stayed up til 11:30! Happy New Year!!Love, Gretchen

Merry Christmas!!!

Jesse after seeing what Santa brought. Note the bed-head hair.......
Claire on Christmas Day with her new rocking toy from her Great Grandma! She gets down in front of the face and just talks to it all the time!
The loot the kids woke up to!!
Claire enjoying dumping out her shopping cart for the 20th time that day! Happy Holidays to all our friends and family and promise to post again very soon!
Love, Gretchen

Happy Holidays!!!

Well, we had a very blessed Christmas this year as a family of four and as Claire's 1st Christmas! We had every day packed with parties with friends and family and had a great time every day. We are so privlaged to have such great family and friends!!! Claire and Jesse with their goodies from Nana and PawPaw's house!! Claire's new ladybug from Nana and PawPaw!

My two blessings on Christmas Eve after Mass.
Gretchen, Claire, and Grandpa with Claire's baby doll that stays at Grandma's (it used to me mommy's!)
Grandpa made Claire a stool, but it may be a while before she can get on it herself!!!

December Already????

Jesse and Ms. Thumb sucker at the Bartlett Christmas Parade. They both were completely mezmerized!
Claire goofing off at Grisanti's Restaurant.
Me and mom at dinner.
The kids with their Great Grandma Giordano at her 80th Birthday Party! Happy Birthday Grandma!!
Claire on another wonderful playdate with Lily Grace. They look like such big girls up there coloring!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

This picture doesn't need any explaining!


Claire felt awful the day of and after her 18 month immunizations. She made a pallet right in the middle of everything so she wouldn't miss a thing. She would not let go of that baby doll for 2 days...... Wednesday, Claire was back to her normal happy self, so she went outside looking for bugs and leaves....no shortage of leaves around here!