On...on...U of K...

Mommy couldn't resist going to another consignment sale this week. The 45 minute wait to check-out was worth it (I guess) for the UK cheerleading outfits I found. Hopefully it will bring the Cats some much needed luck this weekend against Florida. GO CATS!

Lunch with Princesses

Not everyone gets to eat lunch with princesses. I think the orange headband is a nice touch by Essie.

On Wednesday, the girls enjoyed painting at storytime at the library. Here they are showing off their work.

Ababa turns 30!

Today was Ababa's big day and yes, I married a younger man (by 3 months). Because Matt is not a big party guy, we celebrated with dinner at Red R*bin with Matt's parents and the girls. I also have to brag on myself for improvising a chocolate chip cake and making frosting from scratch (with a little help via the phone call to my sister Jen) after I ran out of the store bought version. Matt can attest to the fact that I am not the world's greatest cook, but he even gave me props today.

The girls were a big help making Ababa's cake.

love the concentration

Licking the beaters is the best part of baking.

Chloe, Ababa, Essie

Camping with Ababa

Last night ababa and the girls got out our tent (that had sat unused for three years) and had a little campout in the backyard. The girls did great and had a lot of fun. Ababa's a bit tired and sore, but it was good times.

These boots are made for walking

*Warning to my sister Jen-Don't let Hunter read this post.*

The girls discovered some rain boots in the closet this morning and haven't taken them off since. The white pair I bought on-line, but accidently only ordered 1 pair. I was lamenting this to my sister Jen, who reminded me that I had given her a pair (in the size I needed) that I bought at a consignment sale last year for Hunter to wear. Hunter deemed them his "barn boots" and wore them as often as he could. He has since outgrown them but was still very upset at the idea of not being able to wear them anymore. Jen snuck them out of the house and brought them down to us when they came for the girls birthday. I think they go great with shorts, don't you?

Essie & Chloe

Saturdays with Ababa

With me at home on Saturdays, Amy often takes that opportunity to do some out-of-town home visits for her job. This means fun and bonding for the girls and ababa. Last Saturday, we went to a nearby nature preserve for a little hiking:

The girls loved climbing on the big rocks

Taking a picture break while crossing a foot bridge

About two-thirds of the way through our 2.5-mile hike, we needed to stop for a rest.

A yummy picnic lunch in the back of the car for some very hungry hikers

Six Months Home

This September is an important month for our girls. Not only is it their birthday month (Sept. 4th), it also marks six months that they've been in their new home (Sept. 13th). It is also special in that it was a year ago that we first heard of the twins and received our first pictures of them in their village in Ethiopia. That seems like a lifetime ago now. How blessed we are to have Essie and Chloe in our family.