Trick or Treat

We had such a good time yesterday! This was the first Halloween that Isaac actually understood what was going on. He learned to say "Trick or Treat" early in the day, and was quick to say it in hopes of some candy!!! We dressed up early in the day so the kids could go to Kids Club at the gym all dressed up. Isaac was Bob the Builder, Matthew was a frog and I was an old maid. (I decided at the last minute to get in on the fun as well.) After that we headed over to my Grandma's retirement home to have lunch with her and my auntie. The people there love to see the kids and were so excited to see them dressed up. Isaac was saying "trick or treat" to all of them, and luckily they had candy to give him! We then headed over to my mom's work (the Dr. office) to "trick or treat" at all the desks of the people that worked there. That was really fun.

That night, my parents and my Grandma came over for dinner and to help hand out candy. We walked around to about 10 houses for Trick or Treating.


Matthew had a great time on his first time out trick or treating. He loves being outside and was happy to be carried around by us! He made such a cute froggy.


By this time, my costume was off, but I was still stuck with the make up...sad to say it was easier than in years past to find where to put the wrinkles on my face. :-)


Isaac was so cute, walking around dressed as Bob, with his candy pail in one hand and his thumb in his mouth.


Grandma was a good sport and wore the wee jimmy hat for awhile! We love her! (She'd kill me if she knew that I put that picture up, but I couldn't resist!)



Both kids fell asleep promptly last night and we were not far behind! Now if I could just stop eating all of the candy....and figure out a way to help Isaac not ask for a piece every ten minutes. I am trying to limit it to one piece a day, but I am so tired already of him asking me for more candy!!! hehehe

Welcome to the flock!

On Sunday, we had Matthew dedicated to God in a ceremony at our church. This is an occasion that we cherish as it is our opportunity to pray over Matthew, and pledge to him that we will bring him up to be a Man of God.

We wrote a letter to Matthew, that we read to the congregation. Being the sap that I am, I could barely read my part, and cried hard. :-)

Our elders then prayed over us and Matthew. This was so special to us, to have Matthew dedicated at our new church home. Everyone is so friendly and caring at this church, and we really feel like we have found a home.

After church we had our families over for a big lasagna dinner and also celebrated my birthday! We had a great time eating, and eating, and eating and just hanging out. We were glad that Chris's parents could make the trip from Victoria to be with us this weekend.

Officially a family!!!

Today is the day that we have been waiting for. Our family is now "officially" a family! We have known in our hearts that we have been a family for almost 5 months now, but nothing was official until all the adoption agencies and lawyers filed their paperwork. Today we went to the Multnomah County Courthouse and stood before a judge while she signed the official paperwork that finalizes Matthew's adoption.



Now we can FINALLY travel to Canada to visit Chris's family, something we could not do until we got his birth certificate with our names on it. Unfortunately with Chris's work schedule we won't be able to go for awhile. Oh well

Going before the judge is a little anti-climactic, after the initial days of birth and signing of papers on his Gotcha day. This is not as emotional or as tough, but just as important. I have never worried that anything would fall through on our adoptions, but at the same time it's nice to get all the paperwork and legalities finished.

My mom came down to help us celebrate - unfortunatly my dad is swamped at work and could not make it, but really wanted to. We are just glad to hear that he is busy! He is a great grandpa who is wonderful with the kids, so we will give him some slack!!! (love you daddy!!!)

This is a picture 2 years ago when we finalized Isaac's adoption. We had the same judge that we had this time for Matthew. These judges deal with some hard issues during the day, so an adoption is a great, happy way to start out their day! It is one of the only positive family issues they get to be a part of.

Matthew was all smiles for the judge and did not spit up on his new outfit even once!!! That is a record for him. He is such a great mellow boy. Love the big eyes and big cheeks. The Dunlop boys are the cutest in my opinion!!!

Afterwards we went out to breakfast (a tradition we started with Isaac's finalization) We went to a great place in Portland called Mothers Bistro. Isaac saw the homemade blackberry muffins when we walked in the door and couldn't wait to get his hands on it! He devoured the thing. The food there is wonderful and the atmosphere is great. I would highly recommend it for a hearty good breakfast!

First foods and 4 months

Matthew had his first bowls of rice cereal yesterday. He gobbled it right up! I had tried to feed him on the day he turned 4 months, but he just kept spitting it out, this time he couldn't chow it down fast enough!

Here's to hoping that this will stick to his bones and help him sleep through the night. (We are still up at 3 am most nights)

I realized I never posted his 4 month pictures, here he is, all 16 pounds of him! He is doing great, and just about to grow out of his clothes. Hard to believe he is smaller than Isaac was at this age. As you can see in the picture, Isaac adores his baby brother. We have been really blessed so far as Isaac has adjusted beautifully to having Matthew around and will now say "love baby Maffew!"

Peekabo!

1st annual Dunlop Family Beach Trip

Over Memorial day weekend, we went on our first family trip to the Oregon Coast. We found a cute little house to stay in that was only 113 steps from the beach. It was a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk in to town and a block off the beach. It was perfect for our little family.


We were greeted by these cute blocks when we arrived that said "Hi Christopher, Anne, Isaac and Matthew, Have fun in Seaside." It made us feel right at home. They had a huge bin of these blocks along with some wooden shaped blocks that Isaac loved playing with.
We lucked out with the weather, and while it was not hot, it was comfortably in the 60's. Matthew spent a lot of time in the front pack, being carried around and kept warm. He is a little cutie!
When we were down on the beach, Matthew had his own little pop up sun shade tent that kept him out of the wind and allowed him to sleep.
Isaac hadn't been to the beach since last year, and did not remember it. He loved the big sandbox and as daddy built sandcastles, Isaac enjoyed knocking them over.
Isaac's favorite thing to do was to play in the Ocean. He would run away from the waves laughing hysterically. He is a true Oregonian in that even though his feet were numb, he kept going back for more!
In the afternoons we would wander into town for Ice cream. Isaac got to rife on the Carousel . He was hesitant to get on it, but once it started up he loved it. He had been on it when he was little, but was too young to enjoy it.

Next to the Carousel is a hat store, Isaac had a good time trying on all the animal hats, his favorite though was the elephant! He was walking around making elephant noises.


Of course, no beach trip would be complete without Ice cream. Isaac loves it, but it sure does make a mess!!Isaac and daddy chillin out on the front porch, notice it was warm enough to wear shorts! Unfortunately for us it was in the 80's the day AFTER we left.

Matthew was very cute all weekend and finally started to enjoy his bouncy seat and playmat. He has grown from a newborn into a cute little boy that will smile and talk to you. This was really a fun time of bonding for us as a family, and will be an annual tradition!