New Mexico, Part II

The weather was beautiful in Albuquerque, in the 70's everyday and clear blue skies. It was really nice, except the environment is a little too brown for me. I grew up (part of the time) in the desert, but I am just not used to it anymore.

Sunday was Halloween and the girls sixth birthday party. It was really fun to be there to celebrate with them. Lucinda and Frances are both delightful. Monday, Daniel's brother took the day off work and we went into the foothills of the Sandia Mountains for a hike. It was very beautiful. Unfortunately, Daniel's sister was unable to join us due to her healing ankle. Tuesday, we spent the day hanging out around town with Lani, eating breakfast at Frontier (Daniel's favorite), wandering around Old Town, and visiting an art museum.

So here I go again, way too many pictures for any one except Grandma Judy:

From left to right: a "Rock Star Cheetah" and a "Runway Diva"

Scary Henry

Birthday fun!

My Pumpkin

My Favorite Boys

Us

Trick or Treating

Hiking

Daniel and his brother

At our destination

Hiking back down

Melke zonked out, getting a lift from Uncle Bret

Lani and Daniel at the Frontier

Reading one of his favorite books, "Hello Bee, Hello Me"
He loves to kiss himself in the little mirrors in the book.

Appreciating the art

Uncle Daniel helped the girls make their own pizzas for pizza night.

Special Pics for Grandma

The Birthday Girls - 6 Years Old Today, on Halloween

They can only be good for so long....

Mini Vacation

We had a great time over Halloween visiting Daniel's brother, nephew, and nieces in Albuquerque. Daniel's sister was even able to fly out from Minnesota to be there for our visit. Melke LOVED, LOVED hanging out with his cousins. I realized how boring it is at our house with just a mama and daddy. We need some kids running around the house creating lots of action and excitement!

We flew out to New Mexico on Friday and were there until Wednesday. The flights out went very well, although Melkamu fell asleep, for both flights, right at the end and we were never able to keep him asleep for the de-boarding of the plane. So, he had short naps. On the way home, the first flight was fine, but the second flight was past his bedtime. He was loud. Not necessarily unhappy loud, but loud and bouncing all over our laps and banging everything. I was very, very happy to be getting off that plane, and the flight was only about an hour and a half. On that flight Daniel and I were looking at each other and thinking...how in the world are we going to fly to Hawaii in 3 months...it's going to be torture. But, I'm sure we'll figure it out.

I promised Grandma Aaker lots of pictures of her kids and grandkids and I know Auntie Jackie is waiting for pictures, so here it goes:

On Friday evening he was walking with the help of the wagon, by Tuesday night he was taking his first steps all by himself!

Auntie Lani and Franny Coloring

Lucy

Sorry to Rachel and Bret for cutting off your heads, but the subjects are the boys...who adored each other. Henry chasing after Melke.

Pumpkin Carving! Melkamu wants to know what's in there.

There he is checking it out with his hand.

The Twins

Buddies

Saturday Morning...they were waiting outside the door for him in the morning.

Auntie Lani and The Girls

Francis keeping Melkamu entertained at Henry's soccer game.

Henry's biggest fan in the cheering section.

Henry - Isn't he super handsome?!

The kids

The feeling was mutual

Dan and a few of his favorite kids

Playing in the backyard...waiting for the birthday party to commence.

While Mama Works...

...the boys play.


At the zoo:




Ridin' the MAX around town:

Hiking around Silver Falls:

14 Months, Today!

Out little boy is 14 months old today. He seems so big to me sometimes, and sometimes still so small. His little curls are finally growing back (after having a shaved head when we arrived in Ethiopia), and they make him look like a big boy. Melkamu is such a delight! We love his smile and his giggle. All the goofy things he does, keep us laughing and laughing long after he goes to bed. He is so ready to walk, but not doing it on his own yet. He is walking with help from anything and everything...a grown up hand, the furniture, my exercise ball, his stroller. And he is crawling faster then ever, and is endlessly curious about everything.

A few pictures from this 14th month:

13 Months - 6 Weeks

There are several things I have been wanted to blog about, but just not enough time in the day to sit down and blog. I returned to work full-time this week, but we had lots of fun that last week before my return to the working world. The weekend before last, we had a big open house type party at our house for friends from Portland and Seattle to "meet and greet" our little Melke. That was hectic and fun. Then during the week we went to the Oregon coast for some fun in the sand and surf...and we had a great time. Then this weekend my aunt had a baby shower for me and Melke with lots of girl family and girl friends. That was also fun (and hectic). (I think everything with a one year old might be just a little hectic.) The shower was on September 26th, which was the day Melke turned 13 months old and the day he had been home with us for 6 weeks! I can't believe we've been home for 6 weeks. Time flies when you are having fun!

For now, I am going to post some pics from our trip to the beach, as I have promised someone special but far away, some cute pictures. Melkamu loved the beach. He enjoyed crawling around really fast through the sand, playing in the sand, trying to eat the sand, and splashing his hands and feet in the waves. We found a relatively inexpensive place to stay that we really liked, in a good location, and I hope we get to go back there again sometime.