Giving Thanks

The day after thanksgiving, November 26th, Melke was 15 months old. 15 months old! We had a lot to be thankful for and enjoyed celebrating the holiday at my sister's new house with about 13 of our family members. We had a second Thanksgiving celebration this weekend with another part of the family. This season we are ever so thankful for our son and are thankful for having the opportunity...the luck...the resources in life to be able to care for a child (safe water, plentiful food, housing, heat). We are also thankful for a family that has joyfully welcomed our son into their lives.

Melke, Ellie, Katie - Cousins
Ready for the Races!

Great Grandpa!

Melke examining leaves
tracked into Aunt Deanna's House

A little behind...3 Months Home

On Monday, November 15th, we had been home for 3 months. We arrived back home from Ethiopia tired, relieved, overjoyed, and a bit scared on August 15th. That day, it was so hard to believe that this kid, who we'd been staring at in pictures and had even been taking care of for the past week was actually in our home...it was crazy. Sometimes at night, while I am laying in bed, drifting to sleep, it stills boggles my mind that there is a happy little boy sleeping peacefully across the hall.

As I have said before, it seems like it has been longer than 3 months - it's only been 3 months?!? Melke is such a part of us, such a huge focus in our lives, it's hard to imagine a time when he wasn't there. And really, 3 months isn't that long...dating for three months, married for three months, working at a job for three months...all very new. But parenting this beautiful boy for 3 months doesn't feel like a new thing, it just feels very good and very right.

This boy is truly a joy and I feel so lucky to be his mama. He smiles and laughs almost always, he is full of energy and excitement, he is most amused to see his mama and dada hug and kiss, and immediately wants to join in on the love. He is so cute.

A few weeks after arriving home, Daniel walked around the house singing this little song, "He's my boy and he brings me so much joy. He's my boy and he bring me so much joy." And the other day, he said to me, "I think Melkamu is the best thing that has ever happened to me." Well yes, I just might agree with that!

I took these pictures on November 15th to mark 3 months home:

Lounging in the potato bin, while breakfast (oatmeal everyday) is cooking.

He wakes up so happy!! (I wish I knew his secret.)

Ahh, this face...who wouldn't love it!

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: