Lili's 1st birthday....

This is a big week for our house...our sweet little Lili is turning one year old! We can't believe it! She's such a peanut of a thing...although thankfully she did start the new year with one of her bottom teeth...otherwise it's gums only for this birthday girl. We decided to spend the afternoon at Disney. They are remodeling Magic Kingdom, and this is probably the last time we will see ToonTown...so here are a few pics from the day.

Lili and Henri both love Mickey and Minnie. Here they are in front of the castle...

We decided to start off our afternoon with the parade. Here our two toots are...already teasing and antagonizing each other. They kept putting each others foot on top of the others...until the parade finally started. Diversion. Thank you! 

Here they are watching the parade...happy but...

Note Lili's hands...she was going crazy...

Here is why:

The birthday girl had to spend time with Mickey and Minnie. I didn't know if we were going to survive the wait in line. It was only 15 minutes...but the child behind us had a Mickey mylar balloon (see later photo) and I thought Lili was going to have a Level 10 meltdown if we didn't get her away from it. Finally....we made it back to say hello:

Minnie and Mickey were so great with the kids. Minnie kept playing "peek a boo" with Lili. Henri...who was a little scared up close...did give Mickey a high five. He wasn't sure what to think.

Here we are...Miss Mouse and the Mouses:

The birthday girl and her daddy: 

The highlight of Henri's day was the train that goes around the park. He loved riding! Not sure if it was because he sat on the seat like a big boy...but here...even Lili was in hog heaven. She's blurry...because she was dancing:

Dad and the kids:

Henri...who pitched a Level 9 fit as we left the train...feeling so proud and big: 

I am the birthday girl:

 And here's my big brother, Henri:

So...to celebrate Lili's big milestone...we broke down and bought her the mylar balloon. Of course, Henri had to have one, too: 

 Happy Birthday sweet Lili. May you continue to brighten our days, and fill every one's heart with love!



One year with Henri B....

On January 14, 2010...we stood at the Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and agreed to bring little Henrik Bedalu to America and officially raise him as our child. What a difference a year makes! Looking back...he still has so many of the same mannerisms from the first day we met. He still loves people, loves attention, loves to cuddle (we really love that!), is full of energy and laughter, and is very alert and interested in his surroundings. He has brought so much happiness and love to so many lives. We say a prayer of thanks, everyday, for his birth family, who realized they could not care for him, and wanted him to have the opportunity to grow up in the States, and for Sue...who works tirelessly to place children from Ethiopia in loving homes. What a Blessing for our family...to have our little Henri B.

Here's a flashback from Addis:

Meeting Henri for the first time. He didn't know us, or want anything to do with us. He cried big crocodile tears...the same tears he still cries...

Cuddling with his dad. To this day, Henri loves to be rocked, held and cuddled as he gets tired. It can be exhausting...but so wonderful to have that little cuddle-bug in your arms...

Sweet Henri....with those angelic eyes...

Waving for the camera! 

I love to be tickled!

Giggle, giggle, giggle...

I made it home! Here we are with Ron and Nic and baby S at the airport...

Baby S shares all her toys with me...and now we go to the same school!

One year later...here we are playing in the toy-coffin. :) Henri's come a long way...from not being able to sit on his own unsupported..to climbing, running, jumping, dancing, jabbering, throwing (ask Nic about her head)...he's so strong!

Wearing my Viking hat...I'm Ethiopian-born, Norwegian-named, and now an American citizen.

Here we all are...playing with Ron...he's taking us on the leg ride...

One year later...I still cuddle when I'm sleeping...

And I love to laugh! Happy one year homecoming, Henri!

Pictures from the past week...

Oh thank heaven for little girls! How sweet is this puffy tutu for our sweet ballerina? A store was discounting all of their costumes, so I bought them for Lili for dress-up when she is a bit older. Or...maybe for dress-up Lili, now. :)

Grandpa scored big points with Henri taking him for a bike ride while we made dinner the other night. He loves to ride on his bike!

Here is Henri out on the beach, running with his dad.

Wow. Sometimes Lili likes to help a little too much in the kitchen. 

Lili and Henri both loved to play on the balcony of mom and dad's timeshare. Here she is enjoying the beautiful winter weather!

While Lili played on the balcony, Henri made a bee-line for the water. He loves the ocean!

In honor of Ethiopian Christmas...we opened the kids' gifts from Unka Becca and Uncle Peter. I'm not sure who loves this gift more...Jeff or the kids. It's the Tickle Monster book...complete with tickle gloves. 

More tickles....

And...our first legos! They are a hit!

It's amazing how big Lili has gotten over the past few months. She still has a petite frame, but she is growing so tall. Everyone always asks if the kids are twins, now I can see why...

Ah...the ball popper. This was Nick's favorite toy. So kind of them to send it to us. :) Henri loved it...now Lili is big into the popper. Somehow, though, objects other than balls keep ending up in the chute. Crazy Lili....

We would love to have everyone come and visit...and to make your trip a bit easier...we now have a car you can use as well. Mom and Dad bought their very own Florida Vanimal...we call it the "Minnie-Van." It will be parked at our house...and if you need a car...just let us know. We just ask for a contribution for the van maintenance fund. :) Hope to see you soon!

January 7th, Ethiopian Christmas

Ethiopia follows the Orthodox calendar, therefore, Christmas is not celebrated in December, as in the States. Since we were in Ethiopia at this time last year, bringing Henri home, here is a little blip from the web about Christmas in Ethiopia. Enjoy!


Christmas Traditions in Ethiopia


Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations in Africa. It still follows the ancient Julian calendar, so Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's celebration of Christ's birth is called Ganna. It is a day when families attend church.

On January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat.

The day before Ganna, people fast all day. The next morning at dawn, everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians don a traditional shamma, a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends. The shamma is worn somewhat like a toga. Urban Ethiopians might put on white Western garb. Then everyone goes to the early mass at four o'clock in the morning. In a celebration that takes place several days later, the priests will dress in turbans and red and white robes as they carry beautifully embroidered fringed umbrellas.
Most Ethiopians who live outside the modern capital city, Addis Ababa, live in round mud-plastered houses with cone-shaped roofs of thatched straw. In areas where stone is plentiful, the houses may be rectangular stone houses. The churches in Ethiopia echo the shape of the houses. In many parts of the country there are ancient churches carved out of solid volcanic rock. Modern churches are built in three concentric circles.
In a modern church, the choir assembles in the outer circle. Each person entering the church is given a candle. The congregation walks around the church three times in a solemn procession, holding the flickering candles. Then they gather in the second circle to stand throughout the long mass, with the men and boys separated from the women and girls. The center circle is the holiest space in the church, where the priest serves Holy Communion.

Around the time of Ganna, the men and boys play a game that is also called ganna. It is somewhat like hockey, played with a curved stick and a round wooden ball.

The foods enjoyed during the Christmas season include wat, a thick, spicy stew of meat, vegetables, and sometimes eggs as well. The wat is served from a beautifully decorated watertight basket onto a "plate" of injera, which is flat sourdough bread. Pieces of injera are used as an edible spoon to scoop up the wat.

Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ. The children walk to church services in a procession. They wear the crowns and robes of the church youth groups they belong to. The grown-ups wear the shamma. The priests will now wear their red and white robes and carry embroidered fringed umbrellas.

The music of Ethiopian instruments makes the Timkat procession a very festive event. The sistrum is a percussion instrument with tinkling metal disks. A long, T-shaped prayer stick called a makamiya taps out the walking beat and also serves as a support for the priest during the long church service that follows. Church officials called dabtaras study hard to learn the musical chants, melekets, for the ceremony.

Ethiopian men play another sport called yeferas guks. They ride on horseback and throw ceremonial lances at each other.

Ganna and Timkat are not occasions for giving gifts in Ethiopia. If a child receives any gift at all, it is usually a small gift of clothing. Religious observances, feasting, and games are the focus of the season.

Christmas photos...

We have so many things to be thankful for...especially our two little toots, Henri and Lili. Opening Christmas presents was a treat...they are not quite sure what to do with presents. That will change very soon...but for now...we enjoyed a relaxing morning, opening presents, taking a break to read books, opening more presents, breaking to play with our new drill, opening more presents. Here they are...opening up the drill set:

 Our little Lili with her new Disney Princess towel. So sweet:

Back to the drill. Maybe I'll be a dentist: 

I'll practice on my sister...this might not end well:

Henri loved the packaging...and loved giving "kisses" through the plastic: 

Lili received a stroller for her baby. Or her brother...depending on availability: 

Ah...the plastic food. Little did they know what was coming to house the food. For now...they are enjoying a box of goodies: 

A successful Christmas. Thanks, everyone, for all of your thoughtful gifts.  

After opening presents...we headed over to the Langholz family home...to enjoy dinner together. Here is Henri...hanging with the big boys: 

Mama Whit and baby Ellis. So sweet: 

After dinner...we returned home...the kids were tucked into bed, and we finished putting together their gifts. That Santa was so awesome! He brought a kitchen set for Henri and Lili. Some assembly required: 

Hours of entertainment has begun:

Where is Henri? Leave it to Hanky Panky to hide in the window and try and "scare" his sister: 

More pictures to come...xoxo.



Christmas Eve

We have had such a busy past few weeks. It's been fantastic...but very busy. Our friends, the Rahn family, were in town visiting from Valparaiso, IN and we met them at Disney for the evening. It was one of the coldest nights I can remember. By the time we were about to leave...Henri and Lili were bundled up with five layers...on top of their multiple layers of clothes!

Henri was a real joy...note the sad, sad face. :)

The next morning, we woke up and it was Christmas Eve. We went to the 5 pm service at St. John Lutheran. It was a big change for us...because we used to attend the candlelight service. In a few years...when Henri and Lili can hold candles without burning down the building. :) After church, we went over to our friends' house, Mike and Jeannine Starr,...and celebrated the annual Christmas Eve ornament exchange...always a hoot.

Sam loves music...he showed Henri some of his equipment. Henri was mezmerized...

Some people think Jeannine and I are sisters. :)

 Annie, Sam, and their friend...they were having a great time...little did they know that they were going to be catching a plane to NYC early the next day. What a great Christmas present!

After the Starr party...we went straight home to bed. We didn't even open our presents, as we had planned. The great news...we woke up the next morning to a tree full of gifts...and Henri and Lili surprised me with this fabulous Snuggly. Love it!

Ho ho ho...next post...Christmas photos! :)

Official US Citizens

On December 8, 2010, in front of a judge in Orlando...our little Lili and Henri became official US Citizens. We readopted them both here in the States, and now are working on filing for Certificates of Citizenship, Social Security cards, birth certificates...you think the paperwork is over once your dossier is complete...but honestly...it's just beginning. :)

Here we are..five happy Americans.