Random Photos, Just Cause He's Cute! (Catching Up - January)

Nathaniel's Certificate of Citizenship! (Catching up - January 2011)

The cutest little US Citizen!!!

Look closely at the photo on the certificate. He looks like a thug...a really cute little thug though!

Our Dossier Is Complete - Officially DTE 01/28/2011! (Catching Up - January)

After 18 months of paperchasing (long, long, long story), we finally completed all the paperwork for our 2nd Ethiopian Adoption!

It was a very, very snowy Wednesday afternoon. I drove through 3 ft snow drifts to get my passport photos and to get our completed dossier to the FedEx office near the airport (on an un-plowed road). I am not sure if I was shaking because of the excitement or because I wasn't sure if I would make it! :-)

Our finished paperwork in the FedEx envelope!!

My new "friend" at FedEx. She was such a good sport and willing to take photos! :-)

Me, our Dossier and my FedEx "friend". It is so emotional leaving our Dossier in someone else's hands. A lot of time, energy, money and tears went into putting it together...

After our Dossier was received by America World Adoption Association (AWAA), it receives 2 staff checks and then goes on for Authentication in Washington DC. Our official date for our Dossier being sent to Ethiopia was supposed to be Friday, January 28th, 2011, but due to weather conditions, they were not able to be sent until Monday. Even so, our official DTE is 01/28/2011!

This is the FedEx confirmation that our Dossier was delivered to Ethiopia!

Let the wait begin!!!!!!

Estes Park Winter Festival (Catching up - January)

We took a spontaneous trip to Estes Park for the 3 day weekend (MLK Jr. Day) . Paul got to ski, I got to shop and Nathaniel got to ride a pony for the first time! Enjoy the photos:

Nate (and Daddy) had so much fun with the riding the pony.

The Winter Festival had a ice sculpture maze.

Nate posing outside the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. It was so beautiful!

More if Nate and the Stanley Hotel

My boys! :-)

Nathaniel's 3rd Birthday Celebration

We really had a great time celebrating Nate's 3rd Birthday, yesterday and today!

Yesterday, we first asked where he wanted to go to lunch. We assumed the answer would be McDonalds, but were pleasantly surprised when he said Taco Johns!

Nate loves the potatoes!

After lunch, we asked him where he wanted to go. He said "Kmart". I am not sure why, but my little boy LOVES Kmart! We decided we would let him choose 1 toy. We made a line of all the toys he said he likes and let him choose 1. He chose a Tonka garbage truck that he can carry around his little Tonkas in. He is all boy! :-)

After picking up his cupcake birthday cake, Nate took a short nap (key word: short) in the car on the way home. We just got home when Estille from church knocked on the door with a birthday gift for Nate. She made him a huge blanket in bright colors. It is so beautiful! Nate was so excited about it.

I made Nate's favorite for dinner. He loves meatloaf (with ground turkey), mashed potatoes and green beans.

After dinner he opened presents and cards from us and from our family that sent them in the mail. Then it was bath and night-night time.


Today after church, we invited the church to join us for cupcakes in honor of Nate's birthday. It was wonderful to celebrate with our church family.

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Nathaniel!

Blowing out the candle (he only spit a little!)

He face is saying "Don't touch my cupcake!"

Everyday I am reminded what an awesome priviledge and blessing it is to be Nathaniel's mommy! We love you!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Nathaniel!

I can't believe my baby boy is 3 today!!! What a blessing and miracle he is! Mommy & Daddy love you, Nathaniel!!!

As far as we know, this is the first picture taken of our sweet baby boy. We estimate he was 1 1/2 months old here.

Here he is on Christmas day wearing the blanket his Great Grandma & Great Grandpa had made for him.