Happy Family Anniversary!

Today is the 3 year anniversary of Des and Bri being home with our family.  It is amazing how much they have grown and changed in those years.  And it's safe to say that none of us could imagine life without each other.  I'm also reflecting on the fact that the girls have been a part of our family and in America for a bit longer than they were in Ethiopia.

Their first night home, they fell asleep in Scott's arms...so happy to have finally found a safe and comfortable place to rest.  And he's been snuggling them ever since...

8/1/10

8/1/11

8/1/12

8/1/13

A Wild Time

Logan has always loved animals so it seemed only natural to have a wild animals and wild kids at his party.  We hired someone who brought in birds, snacks, lizards, ferrets, bunnies, frogs, chinchillas and more for the kids to interact with.

And, no, Logan, we are not keeping anything!

Once Upon A Time...

One year ago...

Two years ago...

Three years ago...


Four years ago...


Five years ago...


Six years ago...


Seven years ago...

Logan is 7 years old!  Time needs to slow down...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Phony Photos

Almost caught up with my phone photos!

1. sleepy Bri and a very tolerant Jethro  2. another tooth bites the dust  3. oh, the joys of grocery shopping with 4 "helpers"  4. Camille and Logan  5. Bri's still life flower  6. got my ears repierced  7. Des' still life  8.  my delicate little flowers  9.  the park

1. a date with my hubby  2. ol' blue eyes, Jack  3. calm, peaceful, meditating Logan  4. our Tiger scout  5. too tired to continue coloring  6. Jack  7. silly girls  8. wood-working for the pinewood derby  9.  too tired for anything

1. Logan made a new friend  2. hangin'  3. a little quiet drawing time for Bri  4. our scouts practicing their sales pitch  5. fun at the beach  6. with Great Cousin Lexi  7. Mama and Logan  8. silly Bri  9. Logan's citizenship award

Little Ladies that Lunch

For Des and Bri's birthday we decided to celebrate with just a few best friends in a very grown-up way.

The little ladies started with a manicure.  They picked a color, got polished and embellished with flowers and used the UV light to dry their nails...

Then we strolled to a nearby restaurant so the little ladies could lunch.  While waiting for our food we opened presents and worked on a little craft project.  Thank goodness that we had our friends' mamas there to help.  And we also were lucky enough that Bri and Des' Auntie Tina and Great Cousin Lexi could help us celebrate too!

And little ladies always need a bit of dessert before heading home...

It was a perfect way to celebrate my little ladies turning 5!

Once Upon a Time...

One year ago...

Des

Bri

Two years ago...

Des and Bri

Three years ago...

Des and Bri

And now, Bri and Des are 5!  They have changed so much over the past year...everyone comments on it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET DES! I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BRI! I LOVE YOU!

Phony Photos

Another pick at our daily life in photos from my phone...

1. a home-made pop-up origami Valentine's card from one of my loves  2. breakfast in bed  3. dancing Ethiopian style  4. Mama and an under-the-weather Jack  5. Ethiopian drumming  6. sleepy sick brothers  7. dinner out  8. all done with a fantastic basketball season  9. another day, another waiting room

1. picnic dinner  2. birthday Bri  3. a lazy morning  4. too tired to finish a snack  5. Marley hiding from the chaos  6. birthday Des  7. the little princesses in their carriage  8.  Dinkenesh (AKA Lucy) visiting from Ethiopia  9. my beautiful babies

Phony Photos

I've had a bit of a problem with getting my Instagram photos off of my phone so these are from the way-back machine (starting in January).

1. first day at a new preschool  2. still dressing as mice sometimes  3. hanging in Logan's classroom  4. sicky Logan  5. keeping rack of medicines on my arm  6. Jack's sportsmanship award for basketball  7. fun at the park  8. movies in mama's bed  9. silly (not sleepy) girls

1.special treat on a girls' trip  2. siblings  3. Jack's fieldtrip  4. Des and Mama  5. now Jack is sick  6. sleepy gerbils  7. frozen yogurt  8. visiting the space shuttle  9. beautiful Des

1. arts and crafts  2. reading a favorite book  3. Logan sifting through the mess  4. the boys, big and small  5. the crazy bunch  6. Mama and laughing Des  7. Ethiopian dancing  8. zoo animals  9. spring has sprung

(Laser) Tag...You're it!

Every year before our "birthday season" begins we discuss if we will do a big joint party for all four kids or maybe an outing with a few friends for each one.  This year, Scott felt adamant about the kids each having their special thing so that is what we planned.

Jack was a bit wishy-washy but ultimately decided on a laser tag party at a local park.  He invited his whole class as well as his cub scout Wolf den.  We timed it so they would get a bit of play time as the sun was setting.  All of the kids seemed to have a good time.  Jack had a rough patch but ultimately had fun too.

Lining up to collect their lasers

Dang it!  Jack got shot this round...

Logan having fun...

The boys

Cupcakes in the dark

Friends help light Jack up with finger lights and glow sticks

Once Upon a Time...

One year ago...

Two year ago...
Three years ago...


Four years ago...


Five years ago...


Six years ago...


Seven years ago...


Eight years ago...


Jack is 8 years old!  Where has the time gone?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY! I LOVE YOU!