I did it!!

I braided her hair!! After two days and lots of hair butter, it was finished!! She hates for me to braid/do anything to her hair so this was a huge accomplishment!! I had to get her very busy with some project, like putting cards in a box and taking them out again and again!! You know, very important tasks!! Whatever it takes! Anyway, it's not perfect by any stretch but at least it's a start!! I love her hair pulled back because it shows her beautiful little face!!

Popsicles!

I love them, I can't stand the cold, no I love them!!Really!

The Wedding!!

My brother got married this weekend!! We are so happy for him and his new wife, Cindy. She is amazing. They are a great couple!! I can't begin to tell you how amazing she looked! Everything was perfect and they graciously asked both boys to be ring bearers! Dakota loved it! Carter did to, but not quite as much as Dakota. Quotes from Dakota, "I've always wanted to be in a wedding." "Do we get to keep the tuxedos?!" Quotes from both boys," Look we're secret agents!" "Hey, there are pockets on the inside of the coats!" I think best of all was the dancing! All three kids danced, danced, and danced!! It was great! The band was incredible and the kids went crazy!!! Here are just a few pictures of the kids.
They left it all on the dance floor!! They had a blast!

What we've been up to . . .

Yes, I have been "eating" peas!! Or maybe wearing them!

Taking a ride in my wagon! Thanks Grandpa for fixing it up and thanks Dad for the ride!!

Getting to know my dogs!! They keep trying to eat my snacks!!

Oh well!! Mom will give me more!!

I love to make faces!! I think I'm pretty funny!! It's been a great few weeks!! Maya is really growing and learning and keeping big smiles on our faces!! She is such a sweet and fun little girl!!

Go Cowboys!!

Birthday!

Since we couldn't be with Maya on her first birthday, we had a "Wish we had been with you on your birthday, birthday party"!!! The candle is one our friend Lucy gave us. We burn it every year until she is 18. It has her name at the bottom.

One Week

I can't believe a week ago we came home to a wonderful crowd full of love and support with our beautiful daughter!! What an amazing week it has been! Full of big brothers hugs and laughter, waffles, dogs (not so sure about these yet!), kisses and more kisses, a backyard and swings, friends, and more love than any of us can fathom!! She is full of wonder and surprises us every day with her smiles and kisses! She is actually beginning to understand some things and make some connections and I think she is beginning to believe that we are all here to stay and that she is loved and so are we!

Thanks Ms. Debbi for the beautiful dress!!

Since we've been home

Breakfast with our sister!!

I love my new bean bag!!

How abou that hair!!! We took out the braids and Carter said her hair looked like a volcano exploded!!! It was big! And very cool!!!

On our way home from the airport! We were worried about strapping her into the car seat because in Ethiopia she would ride in our laps in the back seat! Well, when she go tin and saw her two brothers, AND that they had twizzlers (thanks Aunt Cindy!!!) she was set!! She loved the twizzlers and her brothers were pretty entertaining as well!!

And more pics!

This is a gorgeous resort in the town where Maya was born!

We had lunch with Tigist, the director of the baby home and had a wonderful relaxing time, just enjoying the beauty of our daughter's country.

Mommy and Sitota!

We took the braids out!!! Is she pretty or what!