Where did February go?

I still don't know where February went... but can definitely attest to the fact the snow is still here!

Such a busy month for the 3M's and little A.  We were so fortunate to connect with many friends and family during our 3 different weekends of road trips.

We started off the month with an impromptu trip to Door County with the fabulous VA's.  What a great get away it was for us - including pool/hot tub time, hours of cross country skiing (thanks again Courtney for hanging with the kids while we were out), lively conversation, sledding and a dinner out.



Tiz, Courtney and Handi cozied up with Clifford

The next weekend the four of took the train to Chicago for a little birthday celebrating (Michael's) with my family... and an adult night out for the two of us!  We had a couple of outings with the boys too, including a very chilly walk to a lake front park.  The windy city truly lived up to its name that day.

We did our best to keep smiling and moving :)

At least the adults were smiling and the kids were moving!

Michael and Handi had a race around the track for a little warm up too.

Here are the boys smiles back at my parents' home.  Love this pic of Abera sitting in the little rocking chair that has been in our family for at least 3 generations.

Best Buds and Brothers



Michael, Mehandis, my dad and I took a trip to the mecca for boys (and I am sure many girls too) - the LEGO Store.  Our 4 year old has been asking to go to the LEGO store for months.  I don't think there is one in Wisconsin so we had to fit it into the schedule while in Chicago.  Glad that the age recommendations on most all of the Lego's prohibited us from purchasing them at this time.  We did nab a very cool Toy Story 3 set that has large enough pieces to still be out by Abera.

The last week in February brought us to Michigan.  Again a last minute trip due to a death in the family.  We were very pleased to be able to connect with several groups of people also available on very short notice.  The visits included aunts, uncles and extended family - most of whom had not yet met Abera.  They were very kind to host us for a meals, soccer fun, cartoon watching and night of lodging. 

Abera was familiar with another family we had the chance to visit... twins he shared a care center room with while living in Ethiopia.  Melissa and Kurt were part of the same July travel group as I was in when meeting Abera in Addis.  Can you believe they and their twins live about 5 minutes away from family of mine in Michigan?  It was so fun seeing how much their kids have grown as they too enjoyed how much Abera has changed.  All three of these kiddos are 10 months old too. The following pics are from our visit... they are all so sweet I couldn't edit them down!

Abera is in the plaid shirt.  He seemed very happy to be re-connected with his previous room mates, or at least happy to be playing with some fun babies and cool toys!

Mehandis got in on the photo attempts.  How many pics does it to get 3 10 month old kiddos smiling or at least looking in all the same direction?  We will just have to make another play date for retake attempts for that feat!

What a smile she has :)  Like the hand holding here too.

Such expressive eyes these boys have!

The vocal skills are not lacking either!!!

Happy Birthday Michael!!!

Happy birthday to someone who always knows how to bring along the fun!

I so admire how you have always fully "dug" into life to get the most out of it.

Happy birthday to you, Michael!!!

Tomorrow!

Today's snowy day lead to our school district deciding (at 10:00 this morning) to close school tomorrow.  Who doesn't love a snow day!!!

We will wake up tomorrow without setting an alarm.

Bundle up the boys and myself for snow shoveling, walking and playing.

And take time to take in the beauty and excitement of the wintry blast!

To Do List

The time is now to-

1. Paint the new quarter rounds.
2. Paint the old base boards (with a bonus of making one husband extremely happy).
3. Organize photos from 2008/09 on.

4. Order "recent" photos.
5. Put those pics in albums!
6. Find more books that I am inspired to read.
7. Appreciate the rate that Abera moves now... so soon he will be running!
8. Read 2 books to Handi when I am tired at night and just want to read one.

9. Take more videos of my incredible and lovable boys.
10. Give thanks for all that I am able to do and all that others do for me.

Now I just have to go and change one stinky diaper!  But feel free to ask me how I am doing on my list.

It's time to...

Make more donuts!  When isnt't it time for that though, really?

Have to teach them to make the fruit filled variety soon ;)

Party Time!

We packed our car, put on our party clothes and joined in the week of festivities - between Christmas and New Years.  If my memory serves me right there were 8 events to enjoy during that week!  And enjoy we did.

On Christmas Eve - Michael, the boys and I drove to Michael's "home town" McDonald's for a visit with long time friends, Erica, Liz and her son Eric.  Love utilizing the Play Land to help keep the adult conversation flowing!  After a wonderful 2 hour lunch/play date with we headed to the first of the family parties.  Thanks Uncle Mike and Aunt Diane for hosting all the siblings, cousins and little ones!

Check out who also got on the invite list!

While Abera warmed up quickly and easily to this jolly old fellow, Mehandis had the "Galaxy" more on his mind. Santa asked him what his favorite Christmas movie was and Mehandis answered, "Star Wars".  A quick thinking Santa made the connection between how the Millennium Falcon and Santa's sleigh do both fly the same routes.

We woke up Christmas morning at my parents' home.  We are now have doubled the number of stockings compared with the three I grew up with. 

Grandpa helps out with getting the Toy Story characters out of their packaging... an eager Mehandis waits patiently.  Abera is not so patient!

Looking good in the Panama hat and styling new shirt from Grandma and Grandpa.

The last present of the morning was a sled from the "sleigh store" as Mehandis refers to our local hardware store.

A good play pen for little Bear!

A few layers later, we head out to test it out.  Mehandis is around the corner pulling his little brother down the halls of my parents' home.

Plenty of snow for all of us to get a turn riding or pulling.

Funny story... between all the present giving, getting and wrapping.  Mehandis took on a daily activity of gift wrapping.  He would find his own toys, wrap each one in tissue paper, put them in gift bags and "tie" a ribbon around the handles.  Then he would ask if he could open them.  On this particular day I told him that he needed to wait until his dad came home... which he anxiously did.  All the gifts under the tree (pictured above) were wrapped by Handi.

Following a fun New Year's Eve celebration with friends, which only Abera didn't last till midnight, we headed to the cabin for celebrating with Michael's immediate family.  Mehandis picked out his traditional Ethiopian outfit to wear.  A freezing cold day but our busy boy stayed warm playing soccer and cuddling up to watch his first Star Wars movie (thanks Snyders!!!).

A nice relaxing weekend together, with plenty of opportunities to lounge around :)

The boys watching the train go round with Bompa.

Happy together in 2011!

Baptism Day

 On November 14th family and friends joined us in celebrating Abera's baptism.   Although it is almost two months it was too great of an event to pass on posting.  It was a wonderful day! 

Abera waited so patiently for our time to be called to the front of the church... good thing he "behaved" too since we were all sitting in the front row.

Our longtime friends Maira and Peter were designated as Abera's godparents.  Their boys did so well watching on from the pew during the event (happily eating their snacks and keeping a close eye on the happenings).

A rare photo without fingers in his mouth!  Happy as can be.

And a much more typical "pose"... hard to smile when a hand is jammed in there.

Looks like Abera needed a rest after his big role... and Mehandis just needed a big hug.

Thumbs up to both of our families as we all managed to get 4 kids, all aged 3 and under, out of the house and in church looking not only presentable but quite handsome - all before 8:00 AM.  Good work!

And our families are looking quite dapper too!

Not sure if the boys were sharing "peace" here or hugging it out.  But cute nonetheless.

After the service we quickly stopped home before heading out for a traditional Ethiopian lunch at Ethiopian Cottage.



Our niece Elisa hanging out in her new sweater



Abera wearing his traditional ET outfit

We snuggled and played with the kids while enjoying some delicious breads that Michael's mom made.  Love the "bear" loaves in honor our Bear.

The owner of the restaurant opened up early for us to have a private party.  The food was delicious, the host gracious and the kids entertained (via a last minute purchase of a Thomas DVD)!  Thanks to all who joined us and helped make the day so special.