December

December highlighted two big events. Danica went to Germany to visit my family and Misrak and Micah celebrated their first Christmas in America. Danica went for 10 days and came back Christmas day. She was able to celebrate with my family there and with us right here at home. She was also so very blessed not to get stuck at the airports in any snow storms because they were all around her, in Belgium and on the East Coast.

My family in Germany was calling Danica an angel. Here is why: I guess when you live around family all your life you often don't appreciate what you have. I, for instance, am envious every year of everyone that is with family, yet the people that have family tell me don't envy me it gets old after a while. Well Kevin and I haven't been with family in nearly 25 years for Christmas or most of the holidays so its always just us 8 and before us 4.

Anyways, so my folks in Germany really haven't been spending that much time with each other during the season but when Danica came they were all together, everyone, pretty much every day until she left. So they are calling her the little angel that brought family together. Danica insisted that everyone needed to be together during her stay.

They welcomed her so incredibly like she had lived their all her live. Even though she hasn't visited in nearly 10 years, they took her in like she was me, just because she is my daughter.

Misrak and Micah were amazed to celebrate their first Christmas. I tried REALLY HARD to teach them the real meaning of Christmas how we celebrate int his house "Jesus Birth". Although it looked like we had lots of presents, we really didn't. After all, we are a family of 8.

Misrak really wanted a bible and Micah really wanted something from Toy Story so they both got what they asked for. I let the 2 of them open the first gifts and then everyone else got to dig in.

All in all it was wonderful and I really enjoyed this month of December for once just enjoying my family and not being pre-occupied with another adoption.

IN GERMANY

Everyone went bowling (my oldest brother and his family are not in there, he is in Scottland)

They all went on the sleighs being pulled by a car. Very common in Germany during the winter.

My mommy received the throw of my family for Christmas

My sister Pia and her family, minus Vincent who belongs to my other sister.

My sister Nicole and her husband and my baby brother

Danica and my baby brother Svenni

Danica with Svenni's girls. One of them is missing in the picture

My mommy and daddy

Hanging out in the city for a late night shopping trip

Micah's in his new robe and slippers

Misrak and her new boots

Misrak at the ceramic store with her special friend

Christmas party at my work

Another Christmas party for the children

The Tree Farm

I figured I better post my pictures so I don't get too behind. I have been so swamped with stuff I haven't even checked my favorite blogs.. Hopefully this weekend. I love December so much but why does it always have to get so busy?

Anyways, we always get a fresh tree from Home Depot but this year we started another new tradition and went to the tree farm. WE LOVED, LOVED this tree farm. We love the fresh scent we have in the house of a wonderful smelling tree. I am glad everyone agrees in our family that the only way to go for us is a real tree.

All the children were just amazed and had so much fun looking at all the trees.

We had hot chocolate afterwards and when we got home Danica did some paper snowflakes with the kids and then 3 of the kids decorated the tree a little bit.

As of right now the tree or house is still not fully decorated. Hopefully I get done this weekend. but who knows. Office party, kids' school plays, and on and on..

Arriving at the tree farm

Our beloved tree. Kevin is cutting him and everyone is helping
Its falling..

Ready to carry it to the street for pick up

We did it!!! Micah is mad again, lol, who know about what this time:)

The best part! Hot Chocolate

Danica wanted to take this picture. She was cracking up how his height was almost matching the tiny trees

Danica teaching the kids how to make snowflakes.. Micah is up to no good:)

Trying to rough house his sister

Decorating the tree. I always let the kids do the bottom of the tree where they can reach

Happy Birthday Micah/Happy Thanksgiving/Firsts

In love with his turkey.

I think he found the gooey stuff inside the pumpkin soothing.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I hope you had a great one.

Oh this year was so perfect. I am so thankful for my family God has blessed me with. I felt really content this year and at peace of not having another adoption going on. My little bunch of 8 just felt so good. This year we started a new little tradition. After Kevin gave grace before dinner everyone had to say at least 3 things they are thankful for.

This was also Misrak's and Micah's first Thanksgiving and they were just amazed by all the food. But mainly they have really enjoyed this special day to be together as a family.

We also celebrated Micah's birthday today. He turned 4. He wanted injera and Turkey, lol. I told him that his birthday wouldn't be on Thanksgiving Day every year but I don't think he understood. He wanted a Buzzlight action figure and a bright yellow car that makes loud noises. He wanted a white/white cake with vanilla ice cream. Hardly anyone ate though, we were all so full.

Okay this is funny but for his activity he wanted to carve a pumpkin with his sibs. Danica kept them nicely occupied with that pumpkin for a good 2 hours.

Now they are watching "The Grinch", with Jim Carey. That is our favorite family movie after we eat dinner.

So much to be thankful for.

Snow and Bittercold

November 23, 2010

I love the firsts about adoption. Biruk and Amira are done with their firsts but Misrak and Micah still have a bunch of firsts coming up. Yesterday my precious ones experienced their first snow. They of course have never seen snow before and absolutely loved it. The night before they were staying by the window watching for hours as the snow came down. I think they played outside for a good 2 hours. Afterwards we had hot chocolate and homemade cookies. I was off from work because even the County closed their offices so it was a really awesome day for all of us.

The one thing I need to be pro-active about is buying snow boots ahead of time and neutral color to hand them down. 4 pair of snow boots put a huge dent in my pocket as you can imagine. Kevin made fun of me saying "you Washingtonians go nuts when the weather gets cold". What he meant is that I really didn't have to buy snow boots because we don't get many snow days here, lol. But I wanted it to be a good experience for them and not having frostbites on their feet and hands. Although its true we don't get many snow days here, but we are suppose to get a bitter cold winter and that I believe. We are in the 20is today and that is very unusual for us.

Back to my Thanksgiving cooking and baking. Just wanted to post this really quick so I don't get behind.

Weekend at the Ocean

This mini vacation was so overdue but way too short. But 3 days is better than nothing, right?Everyone got to unwind, especially the adults, while the kids had a blast. They were busy non stop from riding their bikes and tricycle, going to the pool and playing in the sand at the ocean.

Since I usually just have one bed available for the 4 little ones, I started to sleep them in opposite direction and it works well. They had quiet the giggles all night and thought it was fun. Danica and Biruk

Courtesy shot by Danica. "Love my Man"

Misrak and Mommy. Trying to teach her not to be afraid.