Jost and Tes - first hug at the airport

This is too cute, I couldn't resist posting it!

BIG NEWS!

Well, clearly I have not been doing a great job of updating this blog. Part of the reason is because Nick and I just traveled back to Ethiopia to bring home our new daughter, Tesfanesh Valentine! She is 4-years-old, funny, beautiful and a great big sister to Jost (he loves to call her "sissy"). Right now she looks like she could be his twin because they weigh the same and are almost the same height. We are hoping that a few months of good nutrition will help jump start her growth. Here are some pics from our trip.

This is just too much, I couldn't resist sharing it!

1 YEAR FAM-I-VERSARY!

Today is our 1-year "Fam-i-versary" (Family Anniversary). I can't believe how quickly time has gone by. Nick and I are thankful everyday for Jost, even when there are tantrums and diaper blow-outs. I am posting our original referral picture for Jost, the first pic of Jost (he was so freaked out), the first family photo of us when we picked him up at the orphanage and a recent close-up of Jost as well as our Hawaii family photo from Kona. What a difference a year makes!

KONA!

We went to Kona, Hawaii right after New Years. It was sweet to have a vacay after the holidays because a) the weather in the Bay Area sucks right now, b) Nick and I were both able to blow off work, and c) we got to decrease our holiday bloat by hiking in/around volcanos and sweating on the beach. Jost was a champ. He actually went in the water this time versus screaming at the shore line. He was also able to develop a taste for ono fish and poi. Nick's parents and my friend Kim and her mom came, too. It was a great group and we had a fab time. Enjoy my favorite pics!

Jost's California Family Birthday Party

Baby J's 2nd Birthday

I can't believe it, Jost turned 2 this past Wednesday. I took the day off from work and we visited his new preschool (he'll start early next year) and had lunch with our dear friends Christie and Kim. Then, we went to Dreyers Ice Cream for their free birthday scoop. Enjoy the pics from our adventure. We're having a California family party tomorrow and Seattle party next week, I'll post from both!!