Ciccone Family 2011

The annual Tim Ciccone Family Christmas Tree hunt & cut turned into an entire Ron Ciccone Family photo shoot, with our student of ours, Hananiah, who is a Jr. in our student ministries @ Hillcrest.

samantha

samantha is into the taste everything stage!

6 Months old & Faulous

Samantha is sitting up all on her own & is able to pick things up & get them  into her mouth, she has to see how everything tastes!

These days are all about multitasking & laundry is no exception.  Samantha enjoyed a ride in the basket with the clean clothes & then asked me for 1 more ride!  Love her!!

Gramma & Grampa were able to come down to visit in late October.  Samantha is enjoying Grampa's smile & conversation.

Samantha enjoyed her 1st bonfire in the backyard.

samantha & her hair bow

all ready for her 1st flight!!

4 Months Old, Large & in Charge

At 4 months old, Samantha is weighing in at 18 lbs. 5 oz. and her little cheeks and legs are proof!

She is a happy, smiling, giggling little girl who LOVES your attention.  She'll talk to you as long as you'd like, just keep eye contact and smile in agreement so often & she's all good.

Her brothers are giving her lots of attention and just love reading her books or showing her new toys.  Her favorite toy right now is a pink shiny rattle.  She's learning to hold it, but especially likes it when you shake it for her and she can watch. 

Our 3 Kiddos, all in row.  Samantha IS wearing a hairbow!

So Beautiful

One of My favorites so far

Sitting with a flower from my garden

So pretty

Samantha's Aunts are the Best

Reading over daddy's shoulder

Great shot of those rolly polly thighs

samantha & her hair bow

Samantha's biggest hair accessory yet!

Family vacation to Michigan 2011

Me, the handy dandy navigator/food distributor/referee/feeder/pillpw fluffer, will insure everyone gets to their desired destination in comfort & as easily as possible!

Family vacation to Michigan 2011

Our trusty driver, Daddy, will get is there safely.

Family vacation to Michigan 2011

After some encouragement, Josiah too has fallen to the pillow!

Family vacation to Michigan 2011

Eat & Sleep, that's what sweet Samantha likes to do on road trips!

Family vacation to Michigan 2011

6 AM has caught up with Caleb & he's zonked!

Smiling Samantha

words aren't really necessary for this blog post, but being a girl of many words, when it comes to my sweet kiddos, I'll say a few things!

 Samantha is a sweet baby girl - still not fussy & still adorable & delightful

Bless you!!

She continues tolerate her big brothers, with all of their noise, hugs, kisses and attention.

 We are all enjoying her giggles & smiles

 Caleb likes to count how many smiles he can get each day.

 She's a beauty

 weighing in at 13 plus lbs, she's eating awesome & sleeping even better.  Samantha has started to schedule her naps from about 830-1130 and then 2-5, going to bed for the night about 8 and sleeping most nights until at least 5, then back to bed after eating until about 730.  She's EASY!!

Oh my goodness, she can make me smile, giggle and just be at peace while feeding her, holding her, or just sitting still looking at her.  She's angelic!

Happy Adoption Day, Samantha Maria Ciccone

It's amazing to believe that our 3rd adoption process is finalized and complete.  God has been so good as He has walked with us through the decisions, situations and opportunities that have come our way during this waiting time for our sweet girl.

She is officially a Ciccone & in the wise words of a dear friend, she has been Cicconeized during her Cicconeization ceremony, July 8, 2011!

The day began with an early morning travel to Topeka for her 9 AM hearing with Judge Yoman.  Our attorney, Samantha, and our social worker, Sharon, met us at the courthouse.  Our friends, Nate & Kirsten, with their 3 boys, followed us to Topeka and were our supporters at the hearing too.  It was great to have friends there, experiencing the final steps to Samantha's adoption journey.

Tim was called to the stand to give testimony to our intent, understanding and desire to adopt sweet Samantha Maria & I was brought to tears of joy, as he acknowledged our love and joy to have Samantha in our family.

I had to laugh when our attorney was asking Tim the questions on the stand & one of them was something to the effect that, 'do you understand that Samantha will have all the rights and privileges as your other adopted and biological children and will be entitled to receive your inheritance?'  I think Tim looked over at me & smiled, cuz, we always joke that our inheritance is our children!  :)

The hearing concluded, we took the pics with the judge, visited in the hallway with our attorney & social worker, and said our goodbyes for now.

We then headed to a long time Topeka greasy spoon, Hanover Pancake House.

We filled up a long table with all 10 of us & enjoyed a great brunch before heading home.

It was a great day and we are thrilled to have the process final and Samantha as our daughter - she is a joy already!