Great Weekend

We had a great weekend visiting with Ted's parents. They had not met baby Abel yet so they came up for a visit. I commend them because it is a LONG drive. The kids could not wait until they arrived. It was sweet to have them counting down the days. This is probably my favorite picture (above) from the whole weekend. Ted's dad is an outdoor kinda guy. He pretty much just stays outside in a lawn chair smoking his pipe. Well, he had a buddy the entire weekend. Addie was crazy about being with him. I loved pulling up in the drive way today and seeing her strawberry shortcake chair next to his lawn chair.

Ted's Aunt and Uncle were able to join us on Friday for the day. Their daughter came as well. We went out to a really cool park in the area and Ted introduced them to Geo Caching. They loved it!

After a walk and Geo Caching (treasure hunting is what I call it), we headed to the play area of the park. Abel loves his swing time.

Addie does too.

We spent a lot of time outside. Abel got a smootch (watch out Maya) from our neighbor's daughter. She walked right up to him and kissed him - on the lips. It was too cute!

Addie is the biggest snuggle bug!




If you have older kids, I am sure you know that the Hannah Montana concert in 3D was on tonight. Well, Mawmaw and Pawpaw were good sports. haha! I love this picture.

What a fun weekend. Thank you Polo and Lorraine for coming to see us. The kids enjoyed every minute of it. We did too. Thank you for the kid's surprises and for spending such sweet time with us! We love you!

Fun New Friends

If you knew me you would know... that I LOVE to meet people! Ave went to Vacation Bible School this summer (ok, she went to two... we are VBS hoppers :-) Well, she made a friend... which is out of her comfort zone. A2 and A3 are more like me in this area. Ave is fine doing her "own thing". Anyway, she came home talking about Isabella. This is Isabella....

Backing up a bit... the adoption community is a precious community to be a part of. I heard about a girl named Amy who was adopting from ET. She lives here in town and we talked back in March. I have met so many people who know her. INCLUDING Isabella's mom, Jenny. Here is a picture of Jenny and Amy.

So, today the three of us got together with our kids out at Amy's house. Amy has two boys... and Jenny has one (she also has Isabella and Tabitha). The boys are all the about same age. Here they are giggling (love this picture). Jenny's son (Zane) isn't it but he was laughing with them.

Here are my girls being sweet to each other in the pool. Glad I had my camera in my hand to capture that.

This is Tabitha... she's a doll!

The kids had Popsicles... YUMMMMMMY! Thanks Amy for being so hospitable. We had a GREAT DAY!

Someone....

had a photo shoot today :-)

FUN IN THE SUN

We went to Market Square today which is right in the heart of down town. It was so much fun. Down town is my new favorite place. I love taking pictures down there. Well, after we walked around, the kids ran through the water. They got drenched... I LOVED IT! It's the only way to go. GO BIG OR GO HOME! (That's what Charlotte always says).

She was giggling and laughing so hard as she ran through the water. This girl is FULL OF LIFE!

Ave is our cautious child (first born). She took it slow but enjoyed herself too. She more enjoyed watching the younger ones.

Aidan was the first one in. He led the pack!

My friend, Julie, met us out at Market Square and had lunch with us. My heart has been so broken for Julie. Her mom was diagnosed with Cancer this week (see post below). Her mom is a precious woman and my heart and prayers go out to her. I just love that family so much! SO MUCH! So... You always hurt the ones you love... right? Abel pulled Maya's hair.


He was crazy about the water fountain thing. (not sure what to call it). He was giddy.. just giggling. He is not a big laughter so it was just WARMING my heart to hear him squealing over playing in the water.

Does this face not say it all?

LOVE

I just thought these pictures were such a picture of God's love for us. He is reaching out... teaching us to stand... to walk... with arms and hands of LOVE. Always knowing that what he takes us through is for HIS GLORY and for our becoming more Christ like.

My heart is full of HOPE and LOVE for a dear friend of mine and her family. Her mom was diagnosed with cancer 2 days ago. I know God is reaching down with his arms of LOVE ... to help them get through such a difficult time. Please please pray for Margot. That the doctors would have wisdom. That she would trust completely. That her family would have peace. That she would reach up and take hold of the HANDS that are REACHING DOWN TO HER. Love you Margot.

DIFFERENCES... First and Last

Our first born child and our last (4th) child... here are the differences.

1. Teething toys. First - we put them in the fridge/freezer, had the cutest teething toys that were out there... etc. Last - gave him a Barbie tonight to chew on at the pool. (pics below)

2. Food. First - followed the stages of food. Only gave Gerber foods. Used those AWFUL Bitter Biscuits that smear EVERYWHERE. Last - favor snack... our left over pizza crust.


3. Toys. First - we had all the education toys that would stimulate Ave's brain. I even had flash cards that I would show Ave (in black and white of course). Last - anything is a toy... Spatula, spoon, phone... whatever I can get my hands on that won't hurt him.



4. Videos - First - Ave watched ONLY educational videos. We even had a get together with friends when Steve left Blue's Clues and Joe came on the show. Last - HANNAH MONTANA theme song will probably be the first song Abel sings.


5. Schedules - First - Ave was on a schedule and we followed what all the books said. Last - We follow our hearts! We are much more relaxed now!

6. LOVE - First - Crazy about her! Last - Crazy about him! and THE TWO IN BETWEEN!

(Yes, I am going crazy with the picture taking! Met the NEATEST lady who showed let me use some of her equipment and spent time teaching me! Saving my pennies for a new lens :-) It takes a lot more than pennies :-)

My sweet kids...

My Ethiopian Prince (who is teething up a storm!). Top two teeth are on their way in.
He's a determined baby boy who is learning his way in the world... with joy!




My princess who is full of energy and is a big dreamer!


My boy... this face says it all! He is FULL OF JOY!

This precious girl has the biggest heart. She loves well! She is warm and so wise!

Had such a great time tonight at the University Gardens. I took my kids (took pictures above) and also took our dear friends... Savanna and Samantha. You can check my photography blog to see more pictures. I am having so much fun with my camera. Can you tell?

AGCI PICNIC = good times :-)

Yea Adoption!

We had such a great time today at the AGCI picnic! The weather was SO NICE ... then it got hot! It was so much fun to meet people that I've talked with through blogs and e-mail. There were lots of precious kids there from all over the world.

LOOK WHO CAME ALL THE WAY FROM PORTLAND, OREGON! Yep... drum roll please... this is THE Julie Salwasser.

And I got to meet Amy Rudy... who came all the way from DC.

Amy is 30 weeks pregnant. Here is her precious babe from ET.... Isn't he cute!

These two girls... also from Ethiopia ... were enjoying a bottle of bubbles. How precious are they? Liyah on the left was the first the first child adopted from Ethiopia through All God's Children. Her parents have become friends of ours through this process and live here in town... just a minute from us. Sunny (on the right) has been home a few months. I met her mom through this process as well. The adoption community has brought some neat people into our lives!

How cute are Maya and Abel playing in this little baby gate thing that Josh and Julie brought... GENIUS!

And what's a picnic with out a CLOWN! This clown does the most amazing face painting. I put a few pictures on my picture blog. Check them out.



Here are my girls with their faces painted... SO PRETTY!

My friend Stacy... holding her baby girl and my baby boy :-)

My Buddy... Jules!


Charlotte came out for the picnic too. I was so glad she came!