First Christmas as a Bowen!

Christmas was such a blessing for our family this year.  As you can imagine, it was amazing to watch him experience getting gifts and celebrating new traditions. We also had a special Christmas bonus: SNOW! It began snowing at noon on Christmas and we enjoyed a white Christmas!  The blessing of Nik being with us this Christmas was really highlighted to me by the very sad news that Russia has made a sudden and unexpected decision to suspend all adoptions to the United States effective immediately.  Had Nik's adoption been delayed at all, he might never have become a part of our family.  This news breaks our hearts, as we have seen first hand the children who are waiting for a family.  We are hugging Nik a little tighter...

  Here are few pictures of Nik's first Christmas! 

So happy to be all together this Christmas!



Giving a gift to Grammy!

Nik learned to open gifts quickly!

Pumpkin bread by the Christmas tree... a family tradition!

Mr. Potato Head was a hit!

Playing with wrapping paper!

SNOW!  Nik immediately walked up to it and made a big snowball
to throw at us!  He clearly has lots of experience with snow!

Awesome big brother

Out for a Christmas afternoon walk

Nik was COLD! We aren't as good at bundling up in
Texas as they are in Russia!