Frozen Toes

We celebrated Christmas this year in New York with Mark's family. 
It was a precious, precious time as we enjoyed our first Christmas as a new family of four. 

We had a great time throwing snowballs, making snow angels and sledding until our toes were blue.  Sophia had been looking forward to "York" for this very reason!

We got all the girl cousins on one sled (two a little more unsure than the others) and sent them hurdling down a hill.  Two thought it was a hilarious adventure.  Two were a little scarred for life unsure.  

These little snow bunnies giggled and giggled and giggled. 

Claire seemed to wondering if we had all lost our minds, but she hung with us the whole time (holding her tiny overstuffed arms straight out the entire time). 

Every time she got settled, we threw her on another sled and went down one more time.

Sophia was a rock star big sister, holding her little sister's hand so she wouldn't fall. 

What a sweet time it was. 

At one point, as I held our little Claire in my arms as we sled down the hill, my eyes filled with tears.  How easily she could have been one of the other 599 children in her orphanage who weren't chosen for adoption.  I couldn't help but wonder what this Christmas might have been like for her.  Instead, she celebrated this Christmas with family.  She giggled and played in the snow with her sister and cousins.  She is loved by so many. 

 She now will face each new adventure, each new fear, each new joy with the love of a family beside her.