Nate & Mommy Go To Washington (Catching up - February)

Nathaniel & I went traveled to Washington to throw my sister a Baby Shower! It was such a wonderful time and Nate was such a trooper with all the traveling!

This was Nate's first time on a plane since we brought him home at 5 months! He LOVED being on the airplane, and he captured the hearts and attention of the flight attendants and other travelers quickly!!!

Nate often pulled out the safety information and "read" it to me! :-)

Nate & I got to visit with Angie, a dear friend from college. It was SO good to catch up!

Nate with Auntie Heather and Uncle Alvin! My sissy is glowing! :-)

Nate & Papa Goodell

Nate telling Papa something very important.

Nate & Uncle Alvin

Nate & Jim

Nate loved going to the kids program at my mom's church. He made this craft and wore it proud! :-)

Nate's first Krispy Kreme

Visiting Grandma Amen at work

Umm, is it just me or does Nate's legs look incredibly long in this picture?

Nate & Papa Goodell at Red Robin.

Grandma & Clare celebrating Clare's birthday

Mommy & Son

The night before we left, right after Heather's Shower, we spent time hanging out at Starbucks. We had such a good time visiting, and it was so hard to say good bye...

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.

Happy Birthday, Jesus! Sung by Nathaniel West

Nathaniel Meets Santa Clause

Tonight the City of Bayard had some fun activities for kids in town! Santa Clause came, there was a hayride in town and a soup supper with live music.

This is only the 2nd time in Nate's life that he has experienced meeting Santa Clause.

Waiting in line to see Santa. Getting really excited!

Having a hard time waiting his turn, so daddy distracted him with a ride on his shoulders.

Nate was a little insure at first...Santa was a little scary to him.

Warming up a little bit. When Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas, he said, "An Apple". That's my boy! The great part is that there was an apple in his goodie bag that he got from Santa!

Finally feeling comfortable with Santa, Nate began telling him quite a story. It was all about how when he got older he was going to go to school.

Back home after seeing Santa, posing in front of our Christmas tree. Nathaniel has an obsession with putting his bare belly down on the cold floor. For some reason he thinks it is hilarious!

My sweet boy and the Veggie Tales nativity :-)

Nate's Dance to Rockin Around the Christmas Tree!

My little boy LOVES to dance! When I ask him what he is doing he says, "Shaking my booty!" When I ask him where he learns it, he says "Ellen"! He LOVES to watch the Ellen show (mommy and daddy do too) and dances with her. Enjoy!

Nate and the Presidents 0001

We finally got our son on video reciting all the Presidents of the United States! His obsession with Mt Rushmore led to his obsession with all the Presidents! Enjoy! I think my kid is rather smart! :-)

Orphan Sunday 11.07.2010

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

Seriously?!

I'm in LOVE!!!

For Grandma Amen :-)