More changes, more adjustments, more love, more fun

The other day I was doing laundry so I sent Orin in to answer Nyah's yelling "mom!" Apparently she had climbed up there to get one of books and got stuck.

We have a new boy! It is Ben's brother and we just couldn't say no. How cute is he? I'm sorry, but I have a serious weakness for children in need. Its a good thing our van only seats 8 and we cannot possibly take in another child because I don't think I could ever say "no"!

While she was initially confused over her loss of celebrity status when the new kid in town came, she sure likes her new buddy!

Dove Picnic

The Dove picnic was a lot of fun. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I met some adoptive mothers I had missed at other events and it was a great time hearing their stories, especially some of the projects that the EOR (Ethiopian Orphan Relief) is doing in Ethiopia. And an added bonus- being around other families who look like yours- colorful, blended, unique!

Marquez has been up in Tacoma visiting Grandpa and Grandma all week and we have missed him. It is fun to talk to him on the phone every night and see what he is up to.

Makaylee takes over one of Marquez's chores: emptying the dishwasher. Nyah insists she is old enough to help as well.

Ben is so proud of his peanut foam creations. What an artist!

went to a birthday party for the son of a fellow adoptive mom

Will taking a crack at the pinata

The pirate cake was awesome!

I went to check on Nyah during her nap yesterday and this is how I found her sound asleep. So funny! She falls asleep in the strangest positions.

a very healthy dinner of crackers in the Children's Museum at the Dove get together

center stage

Ben playing in the grocery store

Makaylee pretending she works at Safeway

loves to push buttons

my girls manning the cash registers

hi Mom

I see Daddy

water room fun

This is more fun than a bath!

More summer fun

Makaylee's creation

blackberry picking

We filled Orin's whole orange bucket in no time!

More went in Makaylee's mouth than her bowl, of course. For dinner we made belgium waffles topped with blackberries and whipped cream!

Nana's house

Nyah with her Ne-Ne

Sunday we went to our relative's Christmas tree farm. The kids had a ball playing hide-and-seek in the endless trees- and no one got lost!

Orin picking the "outdoors" out of Makaylee's braids :)

Auntie Jenae chatting

Grandma showed up for the last half hour before we had to leave- what a tease!

Bye!

Nyah decided her chair on the other side of Ben wasn't close enough to the action so she pulled this one up right in the middle of the big kids ;)

luvin' her apple

went to Blue Lake on Monday

Marquez and Nyah cover the sprayers

Makaylee is a load of fun! She has a riot wherever she goes! I love her zest for life :)

sweet baby Nyah

Nyah working on her sharing skills

Alec asked his mom to hold him and then dumped a bucket of water on her head when she picked him up! She didn't fall for that one again!

Marquez and Makaylee had a water fight

Watch out, Makaylee!

Auntie Leah, Uncle Jeff and Auntie Jenae came to visit that night

They took all the kids to Dairy Queen for us and Orin and I had a rare moment of peace and quiet.

Can't believe my little brother is turning 30 next month! Yep, we're officially old now.

They took Marquez camping yesterday at Beacon Rock. My brother and sister are so cool like that like. I hope I will be able to return the favor and be a cool aunt like that when they have kids someday.