Louisiana Vacation

Last week we were in Louisiana on vacation. We flew into New Orleans and spent a day there relaxing before heading off to see our friends in Lake Charles. I met Val when we were both in the process of our adoptions for our boys back in 2004. She is an amazing person and a great friend. I am so glad we had this special time to spend together and to see our children playing together!

When we arrived in Lake Charles, the kids immediately hit it off and played so nicely together.


We had fun playing with Conner and Mia's toys and visting the playground.

That evening, we went out to a restaurant and while waiting for a table, the kids got their faces painted.And, after baths, the girls got their hair done while the boys played waiting for their turn in the tub...

The following morning, we had some down time and watched movies and played.

That evening after we had dinner, we went to the local mall to visit the playground there and do a little shopping! No, Sela did not fall on her head, she was trying to do some tumbling...Here are our beautiful girls together. I was so pleased how well they got along and shared toys!

We got the kids matching outfits, and finally got a decent picture of the four together. They all looked adorable when we took them to the circus.That evening, after the best dinner ever, we went to the park, watched the sun go down and the kids play.

We hated to leave our friends, the kids cried, and I was very sad as well. When we arrived back in New Orleans, the kids took another dip in the rooftop pool after posing for a picture.

On our last full day in New Orleans, we took a bus tour of the city.Nathan learned how to take pictures, and although there were several closeups of his face and feet and various body parts of other people, he did manage to take some great pictures of the homes and architecture of New Orleans.

The kids loved to see the beads in trees as we went down St. Charles Street, the parade route for Mardi Gras.The saddest part of the tour was visiting the lower 9th ward, where most of the damage occured from Hurricane Katrina. This area was desolate and almost completely vacant. We learned that so many people left New Orleans after the Hurricane that even the police force is 400 people short! The rebuilding that is happening is wonderful, but not enough and not nearly quickly enough. Although, the homes that are being rebuilt are being built higher, stronger and hopefully more restistant should the city incur such a horrible hurricane again.We were sad to leave Louisiana, but we all agreed that this was one of our best vacations ever!!

Here is Sela getting dressed in the morning before leaving for the airport to come home. OOPS!

Nathan's Birthday Weekend

I can't believe my little boy is 4!!

Nathan is very different from most children. He didn't want a birthday party or a birthday cake! Instead, he wanted to go on a boat, so on Saturday, we went to the Baltimore Harbor and took a boat ride.

Here is my big boy in front of the boat:

And my little girl being sweet:This is the boat that was docked next to ours - check out the name!The day was hot and muggy, but there was a nice breeze on the water. Unfortunately though, it was overcast and very hazy. Ft. Mc Henry where the Star Spangled Banner was written:After our boat ride, we ate lunch/dinner at a restaurant on the Harbor and watched all the passing boats. The kids had a ball watching the pigeons and drinking their pina coladas!

On Sunday, we had family over to the house for a non-birthday party. Nathan was excited to receive even more gifts! Pop-Pop had taken him shopping a few days prior and let him pick out a fish which Nathan named "BROCCOLI" - I told you he wasn't a normal child! :)

Here he is opening gifts -Sela even received a gift too from Juhani and Sarah and was very excited about the stickers and bracelets.
This is what she did with the stickers when we weren't looking:

I don't know who was more excited when Nathan opened his gift from Laura - me or him!This was his very happy smiling face when he saw his brand new DC UNITED soccer jersey:And, since Nathan didn't want a birthday cake, we had birthday watermelon instead!Happy birthday Nathan!!!

FFF - My beautiful children

We got a late start this morning, and decided to take just a few more minutes to take a few pictures before leaving:

Playing at breakfast:

I love these kids so very much!! My heart is so full of pride, joy and love for them!!

Weekend in Cape Cod

On July 4th, Nathan and I traveled to Cape Cod to visit with Mary, Rob and Juliet and pick up Sela. We hadn't seen Sela in a week and both of us missed her very much. When we arrived at the Cape and Sela saw us, she jumped out of Mary's arms and squeeled with delight, "NATHAN", totally ignoring her mommy. It was heart warming to watch my kids hug and then chase each other around the car, but I needed hugs and kisses too!

Sela had obviously been spoiled rotten and was quickly learning about life on the Cape! She didn't want to come home, but who could blame her!

While there, we saw as much as the Cape as we could during our all too short visit. Mary, Rob and Juliet were wonderful hosts and have a lovely home. We look forward to visiting with them again. Here are a few pictures from our wonderful weekend:

Catching up

The summer seems to just be getting started, but a month has already passed. Nathan started swimming lessons last week. He enjoys the time in the water with the other kids, but I don't know that he is getting much out of it. Here is my bathing beauty getting ready for swimming lessons: Paying attention in class was difficult with 4 classes going on at the same time, and Nathan had 12 kids in his class!

My happy boy when lessons were over:
Last Friday, Mom and Dad left for a wedding in Massachusetts. On their way, they stopped at my friend Mary's house to drop off Sela. Sela has been staying with Mary, Rob and Juliet all week and has been spoiled rotten. Nathan and I will fly up tomorrow to go get her.

This Sela's first time away by herself with no family, and I understand that she is doing very well. She has always been very independant, so it didn't surprise me too much. I learned that she has been shopping, spending time at the beach house on Cape Cod, and wined and dined! I don't think she misses us too much and she may never want to come home!

Here is my little princess before she left:

and a few pictures that Mary sent:

Mary reports that the girls have been getting along very well. Here is my favorite picture of the two together:

Favorite Foto Friday #46 - SUMMER LOVIN'

It was two years ago this week that we were in Guatemala picking up Sela - that was true Summer Lovin! Here are few pictures from our trip:

Nathan checking out the cockpit with PopPop

Meeting PopPop for the first time and already in love!The new big brother feeding his baby sister:

Enjoying the pool with Bubie:

Brother and sister resting in bed together

In honor of my Father

For father's day, in honor of my father, we sent baskets filled with food and other household items to the fathers of the students we sponsor in Guatemala. This was such a thrill to see their father's for the first time and of course to see Miriam and Luis looking happy and healthy!