CHRISTmas memories 2010...

                                                              kids enjoying a craft:)

                                                       so cute...they did a great job:)

                                                     a glimpse of our Christmas card!!

                                                                      happy boy:)

                                                                         so silly....

                                                                    patiently waiting.

                                                          Grant's new I-Pod Shuffle:)

                                                          loves to play doctor!!!

                                                                   building blocks!

                                      kids w/grandma & papa Christmas Eve 2010

                                                                    ha!!

                                                                         sweet girl!!

                                                                         family time.

                                                              Grant & his grandma

                                                     Kate lovin her sparkle boots & purse!!

                                      Santa brought Kate her skates she's been wanting!!

                                                       snowboards & sleds for the boys!!!

                                      Ageze & Bompa...Christmas Day 2010

                                                         Tesfa & his Woody doll:)

                                                  sweet nephew Charlie.

                                                    Handsome Grant.

                                                                      Baby Jace!!

                                                      " Can we eat yet??"...Tesfa!!

                                                        Daddy the king!!

                                                      Smiley Kate:)

                                                         Silly Husband of mine!!

                                                       how cute is he??

                                                   

                                                    little miss muffin!!!

                                                      Grant the guitarist!!!

                                             Kate enjoying her easy-bake oven!!!

                                                   Kate & her Nana!!

                                                           girlie cousins:)
                                                                                   xo Kristen & crew

one mama+4 kiddos+snowy day=crazy, fun face painting!!!!

Tis The Season...

to be hectic, crazy & having bunches of fun!! Thursday night we had Grant & Kate's School Christmas program...as always, it was a great performance...the kid's did  a great job!! They love getting "fancied up", as Kate calls it!! Friday was their last day of school before Christmas vacation...yippppeee!!!!
We had Grant's class over on Friday for an afternoon full of treats, games, hot-tubbing & movie-watching!!
      Saturday Kasey & I had the chance to finish up our shopping ...all by ourselves!! That was a treat!!
So funny, you know the mornings the kiddos have school...I practically drag them out of bed, all while they plead to sleep a bit longer, or just relax...wouldn't you know it...our first vacation day..they are up before 7, asking for breakfast, and wanting to get going....like NOW!! "What are we doing today?" "Where are we going?" "I'm bored!!" and so on....any of you mom's experience this same thing?? Any great ideas to fill up our snowed in days??? Well, off to play twister!!!!   xo kristen

Love makes a family...

Ok, so I'm sure you have heard me talk about an exciting event in February...The Created To Care Adoption Retreat...well Andrea is the one who came up with this idea, and well, an idea & 225 women later...is the Retreat I'm going to!!Andrea is a woman of God, with the hugest heart, a wonderful momma, a compassionate heart, and I can't wait to meet her!!! I'm sure you are like..."How do you know all of that if you have never met her?? Ha!! Well, That's how cool she is...we've visited on FB, phone and via email, and once you speak to her you just know she's great!! Once you visit her blog, you won't stop...it's so inspiring!!! www.babeofmyheart.blogspot.comThanks Andrea for all of the work you've put into the retreat!!! I cant' wait to spend the weekend with all of these wonderful women!!Anyhow, visit her blog, check out the latest tee, buy one for you or someone special!! All of the proceeds will go towards the retreat!! Her goal in the beginning was to have maybe 50 women sign up....well, after extending registration...there are now 225 ladies crazy about Adoption attending!!!  Woohoooooo!!!!   xo kristen                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

this & that....

Since my last post about my new "Nudred" for the boys' hair....this is how its going!! Tesfa didint want his pic taken...so here is Ageze!! It actually gets easier & more workable each day!! The Nudred hair lotion that comes with your purchase is great...but, not very big, and well, since I am using it on both of the littles....I went to Target & found this product...CANTU!! Its an oil shea butter...I squeeze a bit on the sponge and work away...I rub the sponge Counter-clockwise...an area at a time...for example...On Ageze, I usually start on the back of his head, work my way around the sides, and finish up on top!! I have learned you don't need to apply that much pressure...Kasey tried doing it first...ummm...lets just say, Ageze was saying.."Papa..too hard...ow, my ear, my head, too hard!!" So, I tried it, and WA-LA!! I hardly press down at all!! Ageze now says, "Momma do it, like Momma do it, Momma soft!!" 2 points for me!! Ha!! He continues to tell everyone who wants to listen about his beautiful Ethiopian Hair!! It's the first thing he wants to do upon waking!! Tesfas is quite simple...he doesnt have as much hair as Ageze, so it takes me like 1 minute to do his!! Oh, and by the way...I only rinse their hair in the morning, and towel dry and then start doing their hair!! I've been conditioning it a couple times a week, and shampooing 1/wk!! So, all in all...pretty Easy!!
     And, what an exciting night tonight!! Grant & Kate have their annual School Christmas Program..their school always does such a nice job, so we are looking forward to that!! And tomorrow, we are having Grant's class to our house for his class Christmas Party!! 22 kids under the age of 8!!!! What was I thinking??? No, it will be totally fun...a bit loud, I'm sure..but, so fun!! Well, off to do a few errands...
         Check out Kelly with Ordinary Hero's Blog...she is in ET right now, loving her daily updates!!
                                       www.ordinaryheroblog.blogspot.com 
                                                        xo kristen

excitement galore!!

Well, I'm sure you are all aware by now...Sunday is a family day here at our house!! And we usually end our day by going to my parents for dinner...and last night it was a bit more than dinner!!! We ate as usual, and then awhile after dinner we heard the front door swing open & the sound of bells!! Yep, you got it...Santa found his way to Nana's house:) Ageze heard the bells first...and said "Santa?" So funny, because, out of all 8 kids..our little guy noticed the sound first...I mean, it's not like he knows about Santa yet!! They rushed to the front door, Tesfa completely terrified..and our other 3 in amazement..."Is that the real Santa or Bompa(my dad!!)??" We then went & sat down...Tesfa clinging to me for dear life, and Ageze all giggles!! Santa started talking to them, digging thru his bag, finding a gift for each child....by now, Tesfa is warming up to the idea!! After Santa left, we finished a Christmas craft..had Dan's birthday cake & headed home to put the kiddos to bed!! The whole way home, Ageze kept saying..."Momma, Santa talk like Bompa, Bompa talk like Santa...Ageze hear Santa fly in airplane..bye Santa!!" "No Santa Ethiopia, momma!" Anyhow, a fun night for all of us...& in the midst of the fun Santa stuff, we must remember why we celebrate this season...CHRISTmas....Isaiah 9:6-7
(6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...
                                                                   xo Kristen