Perfect Weekend!

This weekend, amid the business of dossier paperwork, we took a break for a family trip.  We went to Chain O Lakes on Saturday afternoon to hike, play, and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.  The weather was a little crisp, but we still had a great time.  Liam loved exploring nature and found many treasures.  Daisy walked all the way around the lake.  She is such a good dog.  She found many new scents.  Dave and I enjoyed reminiscing about the time we came when we were just dating - (we hiked, ate hot dogs from the grill, and danced in the headlights of the car).  We have decided to make this an annual event.
After going to Chain O Lakes, we came home and ate hot dogs and beans (Liam's request) and then made a fire in the fire pit.  We roasted marshmallows and Liam ate his very first s'more.  We then all took baths/showers (even Daisy), threw our clothes straight into the wash, and snuggled on the couch before going to bed.  It was a perfect fall day!

Liam playing at the park with Dad.

It's a good thing we didn't touch this... poison ivy

We wore Daisy out - it was long hike for a little dog

Adoption Update & Other Family News

Dave and I have not been looking at timelines for this adoption.  We just do what we're told to do next and then wait.  We decided that we'll go to China when we're meant to and we will enjoy the process.  When people ask me when we are going, I answer, "Sometime next spring or summer."  We have yet to receive a referral, but our dossier will be sent to our social worker on Monday.  Those of you who have been through the process may know where we are based on that.  I'm guessing we still have between six to nine months left.  We have been in the program for 26 weeks now.  Here's our status thus far.  Some things happen simultaneously, so we just cross things off the list as they get done.

Status	Date	My Adoption Event
	4/10/12	APPLICATION RECEIVED
	7/17/12	APPLICATION COMPLETED
	8/6/12	ADOPTION STUDY APPROVED
		I-600A CIS APPROVAL
		I-600A CIS EXPIRATION DATE
		I-600A CIS FINGERPRINT EXPIRATION DATE
	8/24/12	I-800A NOTICE REC’D BY NBC
		I-800A APPROVAL
		I-800A + F-PRINT EXPIRATION
		I-800 PROVISIONAL APPROVAL REC’D
		COUNTRY PRE-APPROVAL RECEIVED
		DOSSIER I TO COUNTRY
		CHILD REFERRAL RECEIVED
		CHILD REFERRAL ACCEPTANCE COMPLETED
		ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT

Last Friday we went to Indianapolis to get fingerprints as part of our I-800A.  Since we were going down for the day, we decided to make a family trip out of it.  We had lunch with family friends, went the Indianapolis Children's Museum with Liam, and then had dinner with my dad.  It was a fun day!  Our actual appointment at USCIS was only ten minutes long.  That included security.  Here are some of the highlights...

digging for dinosaurs

 

riding the train (Ellen Milligan and her grandson Grant joined us at the museum).

Ellen with both boys

Dave posing with Payton Manning

future Indy car driver

hotwheels exhibit

playing with Thomas the tank engine and making new friends

Liam, "Well, I want to use bue dad."

Liam making a masterpiece

"Wook at that!"

stinker face!

Liam, dad, and the yion on the carousel

the boys were fascinated by the ball ramps

Liam loved the water exhibit

checking out frogs and fish

Liam enjoyed the plane ride to Egypt

catching a crocodile

Liam had fun playing with Papa Hart