Milestones...

As of Sunday, Sept. 27th, Hannah has been with us longer than she was in Africa. I just love knowing this. Eddie and I have been her parents longer than she went without parents.
She is doing so great. She laughs all the time...usually at her big brothers. She is so happy and content. We are all just crazy about her and wonder what we did before we brought her home!! :)
Here are some more random pics... This was taken after a late night football game.

Just had to get a pic of her in her cute turquoise and brown outfit. :)

Bath Time...She looks a little unhappy here but she really does love taking baths!

Here's a pic of her playing in her pack and play and giving Mommy about 10 minutes to run and do laundry!

Fun at Grammy's House

The boys had a fun day fishing in Grammy and Grampy's pond. They caught three nice size bass! They were really proud!

Hannah and I sat and watched...

After fishing, we ate dinner. While Eddie wasn't paying attention, Hannah grabbed a handful of mashed potatoes...and she really likes them!

Hannah is 8 months old!!

Yesterday, Sept. 23rd, Hannah turned 8 months old! I can't believe how quickly time is passing! She's doing great and growing like a weed!

More Random Pics :)

I can't stop taking pics of her everyday!

I like this one of Eddie reading to her. It looks like she is really interested in the book. I snapped the picture right before she grabbed the book to bite on it. That's much more fun!

Boomer Sooner!!

She has learned to clap her hands. So cute.

Hannah and Grampy

Hannah and Grammy

Hannah and Elizabeth (Eddie's stepmom)

Hannah and Eddie with Granddaddy (Eddie's dad) and Elizabeth

Some random pics...

Happy New Year!!!

Today is the Ethiopian New Year, called Enkutatash. Here's a little bit of info about it. I stole it from Wikipedia. :)

Enkutatash is the first day of the New Year in Ethiopia. It occurs on Meskerem 1 on the Ethiopian calendar, which is September 11 (or, during a leap year, September 12) according to the Gregorian calendar.
Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 days and 6 days in leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar from January to September and 7 years behind between September 11 and January 8.
Enkutatash means the "gift of jewels". When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her bolts by replenishing her treasury with inku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since this early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside.
The date traditionally marks the end of the season of heavy rains and is more recently or historically set by the return of the Queen of Sheba to Ethiopia after her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem.
The largest religious celebrations are at the Kostete Yohannes church in the city of Gaynt in Begemder and at the Ragual Church on Entoto mountain. Rasta Ites website (ref accessed Meskerem 1st 2000)
But Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday. Today's Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal new year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated - in lieu or the traditional bouquet of flowers.
In 2007 on the Gregorian calendar, it became 2000 on the Ethiopian calendar.

So...Happy New Year!! I think this gives us a good reason to celebrate today!

Pics of Africa Adoption Reunion in Branson

We had a wonderful time in Branson at the Adoption Reunion! It was so neat to see two of the families we traveled with to Ethiopia (the Garners and the Roths) and to meet the families we have come to know through the America World yahoo group and blogs.
Here are a few pics in our hotel room before going to the Meet and Greet Friday night.

Pics from the Meet and Greet...

Kari Gibson, Hannah, and me

Andrew, Hannah, and Joseph

Pics from Dino's Bakery on Saturday...yummy cinnamon rolls!

Kari's husband, Roger, with Zoie

Alisa Martin with her precious boy, Micah...

Time for some shopping at The Landing...

Grammy and Grampy (Eddie's mom and stepdad) took us to lunch at Famous Dave's. They have the best BBQ!!

More shopping at Grand Village...

Hannah with Micah Roth...what a cutie! They were buddies in the transitional home in Ethiopia. He looks like he'd rather not be buddies at the moment. :)

Eddie holding Hope Garner...is she adorable or what!?!

Jason Garner and Hannah

Silver Dollar City pics

It was only a matter of time before our boys got into trouble...

I think I need this carousel at my house!

The boys rode just about every ride there. They had a blast!

Trying to figure out where to go next...

Andrew and Jackson found another ride.

Zoie checking out all the strollers. So cute!

Look at Hannah and Zoie's arms! Just precious!

The Garner crew...love 'em!

Time for some lunch...

Roller Coaster time for the boys...not Eddie and me. :) Thank goodness for Heidi.

Hannah was an angel at Silver Dollar City. She loved watching everything until she couldn't watch any longer. Nap time! Hannah, me, and Heidi Garner

So much fun! Can't wait until next year's!