Beach Lovin

 This weekend we headed over to the beach for our first official trip of the summer (I know it's not actually summer yet--tell that to the Florida weather).  I'd been craving a trip to the ocean.  We were supposed to camp out in the Keys for spring break, but my spinal fusion kind of put a damper on those plans.  Enter plan B: a quick weekend getaway.  Awesome that the beach is just 1 hour away!

the obligatory family shot to prove we were there

my little twins and I sat safely in the sand--up by the hotel wall

while Nick and the big kids braved the big waves compliments of tropical storm Beryl

"look at that body--he works OUT"

the cautious crew

Colton is always up for a game of sand baseball

I wanted to capture individual pictures of each of our kids because I tend to get group shots. I think these show their sweet personalities.

Rahel-10

Caleb-8

Hermela-8

Caroline-now 6

Meron-almost 6

Colton-4

Time for the group shot.

Click HERE to embrace the camera

Another Birthday Girl

Caroline celebrated her 6th birthday with a family trip to the beach and a tropical party.  Caroline was actually born on Memorial Day 2006. We drove straight from the beach to the hospital where she arrived 3 weeks early (she's had a mind of her own from the beginning :-)

The birthday girl.

I can't believe our first baby girl is already 6!  Six sounds so old.

the party guests--it's always a party with a big family

Caroline requested ice cream sundaes instead of cake.  I LOVE this picture of her.

Happy birthday "Luie-belle ice cream" (daddy's nickname for her :-)

Caroline, we pray that you will grow to be a girl who loves God and loves others more and more each day. We are so lucky to be your mom and dad--you are a sweet, smart and determined little girl full of grand ideas and dreams--thanks for adding a little spice to our family. 

We love you birthday girl!

One Year Home

One year ago, my mom, mother-in-law and I took a journey together to bring Rahel home.  This is her while we were still in Ethiopia waiting to come home.  She had amazing courage to so lovingly join our family-although I know it was a difficult and scary thing to do.

SC Gee Gee and Rahel at the Ethiopian History Museum

FL Gee Gee and Rahel at the guest house

Our last flight home.

Walking out to meet the rest of her family.

She had a tight grip on my hand from the time we left Ethiopia.

The welcome party.

Our first family photo.

Our beautiful girl. 

What a difference a year makes. Rahel has gone from being shy and reserved to being a joyful, funny, and out-going girl. She's taken on the challenge of learning to speak, read and write a whole new language like a champ and is a great helper and hard worker. She's got a good sense of humor and quick wit that keep us all laughing and she does a great job of being the big sister. We love watching her try new things like soccer, bike riding, swimming, crossing the monkey bars, first birthday, first camp out, first trip to the ocean.....We never in a million years would have thought that we would adopt a 9 year old girl, but I couldn't imagine her not being here. She's an awesome addition to our family!

 Happy One Year Home!!!