Deardorff Orchards

Here is a little video from our outing at the Deardorff Orchards.

The Four - McCullough Family Christmas Card Photo

Nothing like having the picture for our Christmas Card taken in the hotel lobby of the Hampton Inn we stayed at in Houston.  In any event, it turned out pretty good.

And now we are four

Francis Hugh McCullough joined our family on December 10, 2011.  He was born in Houston, TX on December 8, 2011, weighing in at 6.5 pounds and he was 18.5 inches long.  We welcomed him with our arms and hearts wide open and love him with everything we have.

I am going to give a quick run down of all the happenings over the past month.  On October 31, 2011, we were notified that a birth family in Houston choose us to be the family of their child.  We were honored and felt so blessed that we were chosen to be the family of this little boy.

We spoke to Joanna at Crossroads (our adoption agency) and she told us the good news.  She also told us that he was scheduled for a c-section in early December.  We both thought - early December!  Wow.  We only have a few weeks to get everything ready.  Our kitchen was going through a slight remodel, the baby's room was serving as tv/craft room/and closet, and we had about nothing when it came to newborn stuff.  So we got to work right away preparing the house and getting everything ready for the little guy.  We spent a lot of time talking to Freddy about the fact that he was going to be a big brother and that he was going to ride an airplane to go get him.  He was excited.  Whether it was the fact he was going to be a big brother or ride an airplane we were not sure, but we were happy he was excited.

We flew down to Houston on Saturday December 10 and arrived at our hotel around 2:00 in the afternoon.  Just like that we received a phone call saying that we were going to be placed with Francis that afternoon.  We rushed and got something to eat and put our bags in our room then we headed to the hospital.  We met the birth parents and a representative from the adoption agency in Houston at the hospital.  After spending some time with them we were united with Francis.

At the hospital we were able to feed him and hold him.  Fred kept on reminding us to be gentle with the baby. Freddy was doing great.  He wanted to be involved in holding Francis and holding the bottle.  It was real cute.  He is going to be a great big brother.

Our first couple of days have been great with the little guy.  Lots of cuddling, holding, feeding and sleeping.  So all in all, that is a good thing.

Fred says after all this I need a snack!

We are extremely happy and excited that our family is now four.  We are looking forward to all the memories we will make and to one day getting a good night sleep!

Notre Dame

It was Awesome!

Going to a home football at Notre Dame is an experience in itself and I am happy to have experienced it with my Dad.  Unlike sporting events in Minnesota where you show up right at the first pitch or just before kickoff, a football game a Notre Dame is a day long event.

We arrived at campus around 10:00, the game started at 3:30.  Campus was already buzzing.  The tailgate lot where we parked was already filling up with cars and the early party crowd.  These were full fledged tailgate parties.  They had stocked bars, grills, food warmers, lounging chairs, flat screen tvs, satellite, and lots of food.  It was really something else.

Tailgating at ND

We spent most of the morning walking around campus and checking things out.  The campus was beautiful - a mix of old and new, traditional and non.

Touchdown Jesus

Joe and Joe

We did go to a tailgate party with Bob Higgins, the guy who was able to get us tickets.  He had a nice set up with food and drinks.  It was nice to have a beer with him and thank him for making the trip happen.

Before we made it to our seats we stood outside the stadium and watched the band march in.  Everyone lined the street coming into the stadium and cheered as they marched into the tunnel.

We made it to our seats with a few minutes before kickoff.  The stadium is sweet.  The bottom ring was built back in 1930, this is the area we sat in.  The upper ring was added on later, but you cannot tell unless you are inside and under the stadium.  We had good seats - corner of the end zone about 40 rows up.  The sun was high in the sky, not a cloud that we could see, and 80 degrees.  Before the game a Stealth Bomber flew overhead.  Those are something else. 

Notre Dame played great.  They ended up winning 59-33.  They were doing whatever they wanted to on offense.  Defense was a bit suspect. They did give up a lot of points and yards. When you score 59 points it is pretty hard to lose.  

What a site!

Scoreboard!!!

At our seats

It was a great experience watching a game in such a storied stadium.  The fans, the atmosphere, and the football were one of a kind. 

After the game they have mass at the Basilica on campus.  They also have mass a many of the dorms.  We went to the Basilica.  It is a beautiful church.  It was about 75% ND and 25% Air Force - and 100% Catholic.  

After Mass we headed back to Chicago.  

Can't wait to go back to South Bend!

Gotcha Day

We can't believe it has been a year since we were united with our little guy.  We can remember September 27, 2010 like it was yesterday.  What an amazing day it was for our family and it has forever changed our lives.  Being a parent is one amazing thing.  Our outlook on life has changed for the better.  Having Fred as our son is truly a blessing.

Then:

Now:

Notre Dame

The Notre Dame tickets are in hand! 

On October 8 Joe and his Dad are heading down to South Bend to watch Notre Dame take on Air Force.  The plan was last year for Joe, Bob, John, and Joe Sr., to travel to Note Dame to watch the ND and Utah game.  We all pitched in to get Dad tickets for his 60 birthday.  The game was set for Nov 13, which was a Saturday.  That day also just happened to be the day when we were coming back from Colombia.  Obviously I could not make it.  We were shocked to see Joe's dad and John at the airport the night of the 13, because they should have been enjoying an evening in South Bend.  Minnesota weather is a tricking thing.  On Nov 12 and 13 there just happened to be an early snowstorm and their plan to Chicago was canceled so they missed the game!  We felt really bad for them.  In any event we are going to our 'make-up' game this year.  More to come! 

And the wait starts again.

As of August 22, 2011, we are a waiting family again.  This time a family of three waiting to be a family of four.