So Much To Celebrate

There is so much to celebrate this Christmas season.  It seems crazy at times that this is Max's first Christmas home.  It feels like he has been with us forever and yet just a year ago we were anticipating our trip to China shortly after Christmas.  God has blessed us in so many ways this past year through our journey to Max.  We dragged our feet a little bit on the last batch of paperwork for the finalization of Max's adoption in the state of South Dakota.  I love how the timing worked out though.  What an amazing Christmas present and a great way to start the season of celebration with our family. 

The kids were all very excited to head to court today to complete our last leg of Max's adoption journey!

I love this picture of Eric watching the kids!  One proud daddy! 

Brothers!

When Papa walked in the court room it was all over  .... the rest of us were chopped liver.  This boy loves his Papa! 

Love this picture of Papa talking to Max on his big day! 

We were very grateful that my parents made the drive for Max's big day! They have been so supportive of us on our journey to Max and since we have been home.  They held down the fort for 16 days while we were in China and made it through flu with all the kids, a broken fridge and the business of life with three and their school schedule. Max loves his Papa and Grammy and is quick to run into their arms for hugs the minute he sees them.  We almost had to tell Papa to leave the courtroom during our lawyer's questioning because Max kept yelling "Papa" at the top of his lungs and wanted to go by him.  

On December 22, 2011 we celebrated Max officially becoming Max Lei Fu McDonald in the state of 

South Dakota! 

The whole gang! 

I love this picture of the girls skipping away with their little brother.  What a great day! 

We finished our special morning with breakfast at the Cracker Barrel! 

So thankful that we can celebrate the finalization of Max's adoption this Christmas season, what a gift! This little boy has brought us so much joy this year.