Happy Easter 2015

 Waiting for the crew to make it outside -

A quick picture of the underage nine -

 Waiting for the crew to arrive again after church -

All of us after church with a friend as our photographer - 

Since we all enjoyed going out for Mexican food last Easter on our way home from family camp, we decided to repeat the tradition this year. We drove most of the way home, but were disappointed to find the restaurant closed for Easter. 

We then drove farther and paid more, but got our Mexican meal.  

 We dyed our eggs this afternoon, since we had a big church event at our house yesterday and did not have time (later post...) -

Then we hid and found the baskets downstairs and the eggs outside; I'm so thankful to have nice weather -

Surprise in San Diego

 I got a really nice surprise when I was in San Diego! Betty, the wife of the director of our adoption agency in Ethiopia, contacted me when she saw I was in CA. She is also currently living there, seeking necessary medical attention for her son. 

While I was thrilled just to see her and her two little boys, I was also happy to hear some of the options that would be available to help Brooke in Ethiopia, since she isn't passing court to be adopted.

Betty was an invaluable resource while we were in Ethiopia since she translated for Brooke and us the first two trips to Ethiopia. She was already in America my third trip, and it was much harder to communicate with Brooke.

Alyssa, me, Brooke and Betty in Ethiopia - Nov. 2012

Betty and her darling sons in San Diego

We had authentic Ethiopian food

Visiting with her was an added bonus to my trip to San Diego. We also visited JD's sister, husband and nephew who traveled down from LA for the day, but I am going to have to wait for her to send me the pictures to prove it since I didn't have my camera. So, while we wait, here's a shot from my last day in CA when I put the boys down for a nap.

Nathan and Gabriel napping on the couch

Wrapping Up

We are wrapping up the basement finishing this week, other than the projects that we are deliberately putting off for next year...or the year after. James, and his little helper Elijah, built the four Ikea shelves for "Lego land corner".

  
We also did three of the four girls' hair over spring break.

  
Wiring the pasture fence is on the the soon to-do list, but until then we have to walk the goats away from the house if we get them out of their smaller fence, to prevent them from eating the spring plants.

On Friday we went to see a friend from our old neighborhood and the kids played ball with her son. 

  
Although they have moved also, her husband is known for his yard. I just wish he could come and grow about 18 acres of grass that looked like this at my house!

Easter and Birthday

 Easter morning we ate breakfast at camp and said good-bye to new friends.

 This cutie is from Kenya; she enjoyed playing with the big kids.

These college volunteers were Selah and Bella's best friends. They spent as much time with them as they could.

Of the two pictures I took, this was the better one of Bella.

 After good-bye time, we dressed for church and cleaned out our cabin. Dan came to spend a last few minutes with the kids.

 As we were leaving camp, they gave each child an impressive Easter basket. I made them wait until home to open them.

 I seriously did six loads of laundry on Sunday night and another 12 loads on Monday. Tuesday was my birthday and I spent the morning with Elijah and Bella at our last day of Classical Conversations. Then I took Moriah, Alyssa and Tori to Chipotle for a girls lunch out. I'm most unimpressed with how I look in this picture, but it's the only one I took.  
  

Mom, Moriah and Alyssa

  Tori is quickly moving into the big girl category.

Tori, Moriah and Alyssa

Now, I am back to the basement. I'm feeling the pressure to start my garden so I need to wrap it up down there!

Camp Day Two

 We had a long, fun Saturday at camp. We started with a hearty breakfast - so good they were begging children to take thirds on bacon. I don't think that has ever happened at home.

  
Our family's first activity was boating and fishing; I think it's all of our favorite. Check out the thrill on Tori's face that James put a worm on the line for her.

  
I didn't realize that I captured this picture until today, but can you see that Selah lost her footing and was going to fall into the lake? I'm not sure how it all went down, but seconds later both Dan and I had her by the jacket and life jacket dangling over the lake. I'm thinking I move fast under stress and all I remember is thinking how cold she would be if she went in!

 JD has never been a fisherman, but my kids sure enjoy it - or at least the idea of it. They've never fished for too long. You can tell from this picture that JD has lost 30 pounds on the "Trim, Healthy Momma" diet!

After the lake, we transferred to African drumming and on to art. I personally love the art and craft time with the kids, but I ended up hand scrubbing paint out of about three new purple camp t-shirts.  

Tori

 In the afternoon, they hosted a large candy hunt. Forget the eggs- they just put the wrapped candy directly on the ground. We have way more candy than any family needs at the moment!

 

  
This picture warms by heart. The kids were obviously not aware of what JD was taking pictures of, but it is Tori picking up candy and putting it into Selah's bag instead of her own. Selah was about the smallest in the 6-9 category and Tori was helping her.
 

 After the egg hunt, we got to take family Easter bunny pictures. I put on Facebook that contrary to Selah's appearance, she did not get rabies from the Easter bunny.
 

 There were plenty more games through the afternoon, although we were disappointed that the rock wall and rope course were not open this year. 

James on one side

Ben on the other

Bella

 That night they hosted square dancing. They required the kids to participate, which was great because they had a blast, but may not have tried it otherwise.

Ben and Tori

Selah and YMCA

 It took about two hours that night to shuffle all the kids through the lone shower. I let Elijah play a game on my Kindle while he waited for prayer - that lasted less than five minutes. I also put the kids to bed in their jackets because we all froze the night before.

It was a good day with fun memories.                      

                                                                      Jenny