Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Easter and more...

We had a great Easter. The kids are growing like weeds...and are really starting to play well together. Here are some photos from our last few weeks.

The kitchen set continues to be a hit. Henri loves to pull it out from the wall...and play behind the set. Lili has just discovered that she, too, can stand in the back of the set and peak out at me through the window. Because it sits at the edge of our cabinets...she can also hide there...and as Henri races around the corner, she can pop her head out. Hours of laughter....


Here we are on Easter Sunday. 

Ah...the Easter Bunny...they brought all sorts of good things: new books, new clothes, new chairs for our table...and we were able to use our Ethiopian Easter baskets. Very fun! 

Here's Lili. We were walking out to the car for church. I grabbed my little purse...and Lili (in her fancy dress) decided she needed to have her purse, too. To carry an empty plastic egg. :) She was so proud...she walked out to show her daddy what a big girl she is.  

We spent Easter Sunday afternoon at the park. Here's Henri....he loves being outside... 

On Saturday, before Easter, it was so hot...we busted out the kiddie pool. Obviously a little cold for Lili's liking. She wanted to be in the pool...but didn't want to get wet. Solution: move the chair into the pool, and sit on the chair. Of course...one chair moves to two chairs...voila...relaxing pool-side. 

Henri's fire-truck needed a bath... 

We drove out to DeLand with a bunch of friends and enjoyed pancakes at the Sugar Mill and took the boat eco-tour. Here is Lili in the car...she's such a cutie. And...she wore those sunglasses for two hours! 

Mommy and Lili... 

Mommy and Henri...he's such a talker...I love to watch him make his new sounds, and really say words. It's great! 

A little out of order...more pool-time... 


The filling of the pool might have been more fun than the actual pool, itself.  


Henri playing on the slide at the park in DeLand. He loved it...and surprisingly...the pancake cooking wasn't a total gong-show. I was certain someone would burn their fingers...but luckily...no tragedy. 

Our little dare-devil on the slide. Scared of the dark...but not scared of the big-kids playground. 

Little Lili...so sweet. 

Henri is a total Daddy's Boy these days. Here he is, wearing his dad's sunglasses.  

Lili and Baby S....who has been supplying Lili with hand-me-downs. Looks like that supply-chain is about to dry up...and we might be sending S Lili's hand-me-downs! :)


The fresh water springs...Henri had to dip his feet and splash...disgusting...but he also had to have a taste...via his toe. Yikes! 


Driving to the springs... 

Lili and her glasses. Such a riot! 



We will try to post more soon...

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

More from MONTANA!

Here are a few more pictures from our trip back home. It was such a great trip...great to see everyone, and so wonderful to be back in Big Sky country. :) And...we were blessed with our first snow fall as a family of four. It didn't last long...but it was absolutely beautiful! Enjoy the pictures...

Daddy and Henri...all bundled up. 

I wonder what it might taste like...I wonder what it feels like. Hmmm...not quite sure.  

Lili on the sled. She wasn't so sure...but then again...riding in the snow in jeans really isn't that fun anyway.  

Sisters. 

Getting ready for Grandpa's birthday party...here is Nick teaching Henri how to throw the ball. Not sure if I really want him to learn that skill! 

Playing with cousins, Emma and Nick. 

Back on the rocking horse.  

I had my very own stool to stand up at the counter. It was a bit dangerous...but lots of fun! 

We decided to have cousin photos taken. Unfortunately, it was a total gong show. We tried in the morning...and Henri had a level 9 meltdown in the Sears portrait studio. It wasn't pretty. We thought after a nap...they might do better. No such luck. Group shot is of two screaming Ethiopians, and two shocked Seattle-ites. Oh well...it's a great memory. 

Nick (eating a pretzel), and his nostrils. 

Emma and hers... 

Pretty Emma at the party. 

Henri playing outside with his cousins. 

Me and Mindy...my friend from high school...we taught English together in Japan. Her oldest son Eli...and sweet Lili. 

Where is Lili? Wow. This is mortifying. Not only was she caught under the table eating the last cherry tomato...she was also trying to sip the last drops of beer from the recycling bin. Yikes. Hope this isn't a glimpse of what she will be like in high school and college.  

The clean-up crew. 

Hurry, hurry, drive the firetruck...Henri and his hat, courtesy of Herr Graf.  

Auntie Toots and Rudy. 

Emma and her Vinylmation...the Villian Chaser! 

Auntie Tante, Lili and Henri...still rocking. 

Getting ready to go on a roadtrip! 

Our beautiful Lili... 

Playing Ele-fun with Auntie Tante...it's a giant elephant that blows tissue paper butterflies out its trunk. Lots of fun... 

Deciding Rudy wasn't that bad after all... 

The only duet this piano has ever seen... 

The Missoula carousel. Go, Lili, go! 

Henri and Jeff...riding in the chariot. 

A future Cobber? Playing at the park. 

So beautiful....and cold. 

Emma and Lili... 

Grandma, Grandpa and the grandkids... 

We had a great trip...can't believe we were there and are already back. I'll post more photos soon.