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

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!

Hide and Seek...Des and Bri Style

This is just a little bit of daily life I'm recording...nothing too special but something I want to remember...

Neither Des or Bri fully understand the concept of hide and seek.  When they play it with each other it's all good because they follow the same rules as each other.  But when they play it with others...it's a bit confusing for all involved.

It goes a little something like this...
Bri covers her eyes and starts counting.  Des runs and hide.  And then, before Bri is finished counting, Des will run back to Bri and shout and giggle and "surprise her" when she stops counting and uncovers her eyes.  Crazy giggles ensues from both girls.  Repeat.  And repeat.  And repeat again.

Random Bits of Life...Another Photo Edition

Well, another couple of months has come and gone so it must be time for another photo drop.  Here are just a few of the memories we've made in February and March.

A trip to the zoo -

Bri grooming a goat at the zoo

Scott and Logan making sure the goats are well-fed

"Please just pose nicely for one photo together!"

Des takes a rest while checking the map...

A close-up with an Asian elephant

Open House at the elementary school - 

A journal entry from Jack

Jack's self-portrait

Another self-portrait by Jack (He has two-tone hair so
he always draws himself with different color patches
of hair.)

Jack and more of his work

Logan's self portrait sitting on an origami bench
playing an origami piano made by Logan

Origami frog and story by Logan

Logan working on another origami project

Easter with family -

All dressed up at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Goofy self-portrait

Logan made a friend

At the park with cousin Lexi

Yep, dying eggs in the middle of the park...

"Yep, we think Mama is weird too..."

Another zoo trip -

Finally!  A half-way decent pose...

Fun with friends

Bri brought her preschool friend, Peanut, to meet
the other elephants.

Random Bits of Life...The Photo Edition

I think these photos go all the way back to September.  I've been so off and on with the blog that these little bits of life haven't gotten documented.  And because my memory is lousy (at best) I know I better get these memories posted before they fade away...

Bri and Des' first day of school

Scott's first race

Cub scouts popcorn sales

Painting the ugly wall in the backyard

More painting in the backyard but on a bit smaller scale

First ballet class

Rare moment of brotherly love

Jack and Des

Logan feeding the giraffes

Cub scouts at the park

Cheetah

Bat

 Pink ballerina

Purple ballerina

Jack reading on the jungle gym

Family photo at Thanksgiving

Great Dona and Des

Beautiful Bri

Logan and Marley

Still loving ballet class

One of Jack's swisher shots 

Excited to be playing basketball with friends

Des and Bri's first day of their new preschool

First day of school with a good friend

Photo session with two of their besties...Ella and Yuliya

Cute, silly trouble makers

Whew!  I think I'm finally all caught up on the random bits of life from the past several months!