April Is Leah's Month Part One

This day was the second part in a four part series of special events this month.  The first was on April 15th when our little Leah turned 6 months old.  

On April 17th, six months from the day we brought Leah home, we went to the 4th District Court House in Provo, Utah to finalize the adoption of Leah Caitlin Bliss Trosper.  This is us with attorney Chad Warner.  Chad sat in for our attorney, Paul MacArthur, who was on a humanitarian trip.  Thank you Paul and your team for everything you did for us.

This is Leah with our social worker from LDS Family Services, Alisa Webb.  Thank you Alisa for everything you did for us.

Leah was in especially good spirits this morning.

My brother, Scott, and his girlfriend came up from California to be with us this day.  We were so grateful they could be there.  

Grandma and Grandpa Ostler with Leah

Judge Taylor congratulating us.

He was so tall and hairy.  Leah was not used to that and immediately dug into his beard.  He was a nice man and loved every minute of it.

We are now officially a family recognized by the state of Utah

What a special day.  It was a legal proceeding, so it was not naturally filled with feeling and emotion.  We were though.  Neither of us cried after being sworn in and expressing what this meant to us.  I guess we have done enough crying the last year or so.  The family did the crying for us behind us in the court room.  Those in attendance were, Alisa Webb, Chad Warner, Angie (I can't remember her last name...legal assistant), Grandma Ostler, Grandpa Ostler, Aunt Kate, Molly, Duane, Cole, Jake, Scott, Cynthia and Josh.  Thank you all for coming.

HOLIDAY!!! The Finale!

We love Moab.  We need to visit there more often.  We knew that two days were hardly enough for all there is to do and see around Moab, but we hoped that Scott and Cynthia would enjoy it enough to want to return again.  Mission accomplished.  Even with bad weather they want to return.  As a matter of fact, they said they wanted to come back just after driving through town on the way in!  Fine by us.  More reasons to go to Moab!

Park Avenue at Arches National Park

Three Nuns

This rock reminded us of a Rapa Nui of the Easter islands.  The funny thing is that we saw a rock like this that resembled a Rapa Nui in Zion and Bryce Canyon as well.  

Leah's fourth National Park - Arches National Park

Leah didn't like getting in and out of this contraption, but once in, she was snug as a bug in a rug and quickly fell asleep

The Trospers on the trail to Sandy Arch

Me and Scott

Sarah was upset that I got this in a still photo rather than video, so she did it again.  The second take resulted in her hurting herself and rolling around in the sand.  Of course she is okay, so I don't mind telling you it was a little funny.

Me and my ladies hiking in the finest sand you have ever seen.

Scott and Cynthia.  Have we mentioned we really liked her and hope she is around a little longer?!

Scott and Cynthia under the Sandy Arch

Even after losing 26 lbs, I still get stuck!

Here Leah is at the beginning of the hike...not too happy yet.

The lovebirds at Woolf Ranch

Cynthia walking around Gemini's Bridge

Brave girl.  Scott would never do that.

The Mighty Colorado River

Hiking to some Petroglyphs near the Colorado River

Fremont Indian Writings or Petroglyphs - circa 1200 AD

The weather turned bad almost as soon as we got to Moab.  Wednesday was awful...so awful that you could almost not see a few hundred yards.  Then the rain came and brought it all down.  This was the result of the rain/mud falling from the sky.

Scott changing Leah's clothes.  I think she likes her Uncle Scott.

Since the weather was bad, we took a few hours to relax, sleep, swim and play games.

Leah is so fun.  We are so grateful to have her.

The Amazing Flying Leah!

Leah says, "Visit Moab and your nearest National Park!  You will have fun!  I know I did!"