HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY ALEIA.

Aleia and her Princess cake. She was pretty proud of it.
The girls and some of their friends from Nemaw's grandma group.
Look at me guys!!
One of Aleia's favorite birthday gifts.
Kaitlin and Aleia enjoying some cake.
We celebrated Aleia's fourth birthday this past weekend. I just cannot believe our big girl is "4" already. It just seems like yesterday that we were bringing her home. We celebrated her special day with some friends and lots of family. Aleia received lots of nice things. She doesn't know what to play with next. Thanks to everyone who helped to celebrate with us. It was a great time had by all.

Happy Halloween

Here is a pumpkin just my size!!
Our very own "Princess"
What a pair.
The girls and their buddy Abby.
GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our first trick or treat experience with Alexa was great. We all had a ball. She loved it when people would put things into her pumpkin. And boy, she sure didn't like it if you tried to take something out. Wow!! The girls are having so much fun being sisters. Thanks for continuing to follow us in this amazing journey. I think it gets better everyday.

Family, friends, and lots of fun!!

Aliyah, Jack, Annie, Lili, and Aleia on the hayride.
Some of the kiddies from the pumpkin patch catching a Kodak moment.
The morning started out somewhat chilly. Brrr!!
Ella wants to be a big girl.

Aleia and her cousin Catie.
Alexa and her cousin Carlie.

Chillin out with some popsicles.
Aleia at school on pumpkin day.

We have had so much going on recently. Our cousins we here recently from South Carolina. They also have two little "china dolls" and the foursome had lots of fun playing. Their oldest daughter Catie is the little girl who Bob and I fell in love with initially in our adoption process. She is such a beautiful little girl. She is the one who got this whole thing started. Thanks again to the Ellisons. They recently went back to China for their second daughter also. Their youngest daughter and our youngest are one month apart. They are also from the same Jiangxi province. We also went to Aleia's preschool for a pumpkin day. We had so much fun reading books as a group, making our own books, and decorating our own pumpkins. All of the children really seemed to have a ball. And finally, our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with our friends. We did this yesterday and there were about thirty-four of us all together. We went on a hayride, picked out pumpkins in the field, took lots of group photos, and had a big lunch and lots of playtime. This is the third year in a row that we have done this at my parents house. It seems to get bigger and better with each passing year. Most of the kids crashed in the cars on the way home. Enjoy. Lisa

Fun with family and friends.

Bathing beauty swimming in the little pool in the backyard.
Aleia's third annual "gotcha day" dinner.
The new and improved "Bob the Builder".
In Michigan spending the weekend with the Bride's.
Don't forget little Alexa too. CHEESE!!

The ASIAN foursome with their ladybug dresses at the McConnells.
Playing in the Little Tykes playland.
Aleia and Maryn ready for the first football game. Go Quakers.
Riding the big tractor with Erich and Lucy on the Bichsel farm.

Miss Alexa didn't ride. She just hung out with her daddy.

Just some fun pics of recent things at the Alsept household. We recently celebrated Aleia's 3 year "gotcha day" on September 12th. She has been in our family what seems like forever already. We went to a real nice dinner just the four of us. Before we know it, we will be celebrating Alexa's one year gotcha!! Hope you enjoy our photos. Lisa

Just enjoying our summer. Very much!!!

Aleia being the motherly figure with her little cousin Lilly.
Oh, I am really tired.
Aleia hamming it up with her cousing Kaden.

The girls riding "big sissy's" Dora 4-wheeler.
Our readoption process at the courthouse recently with Judge Kate and our attorney Brad Zimmerman.
Spending more time at the park riding the carousel. The ride that never ends!! ha, Ha
Alexa playing in the mini water fountain at the pool at the Portage Country Club.
Aleia just chillin on the noodles. Life is good.
We have had such a wonderful summer. We are all so sad to see it slowly coming to an end. The girls have had a great time. It is so amazing to watch them interact with one another. Now that Alexa is walking all over the place, they love to chase each other around the house. It is quite the site. I sure hope they continue the bond that they are forming. We have spent so much time swimming this summer. Both of the girls love the water and never want to go home when it is time. We went to court recently for our readoption of Alexa. Our attorney, Brad Zimmerman, represented us and Judge Kate presided over the hearing again. What a special day!! Please continue to follow this journey. It is so full of surprises and pleasant litle girls.

The CCAI Midwest Reunion.

Audrey, Kaitlin, and Alexa (Travel group #1147 buddies)
The girls sitting at the gate of our pavillion.
Aleia playing in the jumping water at Easton.
Alexa just wasn't too sure about the jumping water.

The girls were hanging out in the bookstore while the guys were having some daddy alone time.
Bob and his girls at the zoo.
Cheese!!
This is Lily and her husband Josh is in the photo below. They are the founders of CCAI. They began the adoption agency in the basement of their house originally.
We had such a great time this past weekend. We went to the CCAI Midwest Reunion held in Columbus, OH. There were folks there from over twelve states and there were approx. 500 families at the reunion. Aleia loved seeing all of the "Asian girls" as she refers to them. I was very elated to finally meet Josh and Lily. They helped play such a special role in us being the family that we are today. We sure couldn't have done it without all of their help. We attended the reunion with the McConnell's and had a fun time staying at Easton Towne Center. We ate at some fun restaurants and the girls spent some time in the jumping water one afternoon. We took the girls to the big bookstore and spent about one hour looking through books and destroying their shelves. Ha, Ha. Needless to say, it was an expensive stop. Aleia wanted one of every book. We did buy some educational things too!! Thanks for keeping up with our everyday journeys. The girls have made Bob and I feel amazing and so fortunate that they are in our lives. Love, Lisa

Visit with our friends from Texas.

Ashlynn, Alexa, and Aleia sporting their new jammies.
The girls calling for the horses Zip and Nanny at the Bichsel's.
The girls, except for Alexa, each took a turn driving around in the golf cart.
Having a ball at Tuscora Park.
The girls just couldn't stay awake any longer. We wore them out before they wore us out. That is something new. This past weekend we had some of our friends from Texas in town to visit. We were in China with them for our first adoption. We have been the best of friends every since. We had such a great time together visiting and watching the girls hang out. Aleia and Ashlynn will always have a special bond having been from the same orphanage in Gao'An China. They are also only thirteen days apart. The Tapley's are patiently awaiting their referral for their second China doll. While they were here, we kept very busy. We went to the Bichsel's to ride the horses, went to the Cleveland Zoo and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and spent tons of time at Tuscora Park. It is just amazing to see these little girls interact with one another. As I have said so many times before, we are just soooo blessed. Lisa