More fun with family and surgery update

WARNING: Excessive number of family pictures ahead, so proceed with caution.

We were so thankful to get to visit with so many different family members over this past week on our whirlwind driving adventure through Oklahoma and Texas.  We drove up to Oklahoma for a couple of days, then headed to Dallas for a brief visit and then over to Greenville before heading home.  Anna got to meet more relatives and got plenty of attention!

Anna loves her cousin Taylor

Giving Aunt Kathy a "hug"

It really is a shame no one pays attention to that poor baby...

Showing off her new standing skill (yes, her knees are locked, but we're working on that)

Grandmother and Papaw with the grandkids

Aunt Kelly and Uncle Tony are hilarious!

Watching football - you can tell who the true Cowboys fan is...

Papaw and his girls

Here's Anna giving David a kiss - Whenever you tell Anna "kiss!" she leans her head forward...as in, "you may kiss my forehead now."

And what visit to Oklahoma would be complete without a chicken fried steak?!?

Anna gets to meet her great-grandmother and LaVera for the first time

Fun with Grandpa Skip

The boys jumped at the opportunity to open Christmas presents early at Aunt Laura's suggestion

Anna models her new sunglasses from Aunt Laura and Uncle Bill

Hanging out in Greenville

Fun with the girls!

Cousins

Back at home, Anna really enjoys her new silver cup from Grammy

Finally, for the surgery update: Anna was supposed to have her palate repair done today, but unfortunately she came down with a fever last night.  My poor mom had taken off work for the week to be able to help out while we were at the hospital, and I found out that the surgery was cancelled when Mom was about an hour away from here.  But we are so thankful to have her here for a visit, and I think Anna is secretly pleased she is not having surgery now!

She looks kinda Asian...

Often when I am out with Anna now, I get questions or comments about her from sweet people.  I certainly understand that it is a little confusing to see me with 3 fair-haired little boys and then a Chinese  baby, and I don't mind the questions or comments at all - people are often just curious or eager to talk about my experiences!  I really thought it was funny, though, when a kind older gentleman (with a thick "country" accent) sitting next to me tried to start a conversation the other day.  I was waiting in the store to get my phone repaired, and I could tell he kept looking at me and then at Anna.  Finally he said, "She looks kinda Asian!"  I smiled and told him that she's from China - thanks!  He then proceeded to talk about how cute she was, etc.  I was sharing that story with David's parents, and David's father commented, "Well, you sure can't get anything past us Louisiana boys!"

Little Asian baby in her cool new hat

Here are the obligatory Halloween pictures  - can you tell which kid did not enjoy the church's Fall Fest as much as the others?  Anna got back at me for dressing her in that uncomfortable Cinderella dress and had a big accident about 10 minutes into the Fall Fest - so she got to change back into her comfy clothes!

Blue power ranger ninja

Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers climbing the rock wall

Ninja Nate

And in honor of the big LSU game tomorrow, Anna is showing her support for the Tigers!  I am also proud to report that at her doctor's visit yesterday she weighed in at 20 1/2 pounds - which puts her ON the growth chart - woo hoo!