March 2012 #1

March 2012

This is the first very brief blog on March 2012.  The highlight of our trip was Mom and Dad's visit and our trip to Tanzania.  That will be it's own blog, so this one is really short.

Greta and Phoebe had their Field Day at their preschool.

Adults got to play games too!

Emma during a swim meet!

Our property flooded pretty bad this year.  The dogs had a blast but I had to wade through water to get to church and to get the kids to school.  Not fun, ok, kinda fun.

February 2012

February 2012

February was a pretty laid back month.  We went ice skating, Emma had a presentation and that was about it!

And that's about it!  10 months to go...woo hoo.

January 2012

January 2012

Well I did not make it in time to remain in the same year with my blogs.  I'm going to get this done, I just know it.  Positive thinking.  Here are some highlights from January...2012.  

Amy and Will took us all the this amazing performance of Fantastic Mr. Fox.  It was done with life size puppets and you actually went in to the book.  We had to crawl through tight spaces, slide down slides, sit in the dark and well, it was just fabulous.  Phoebe and Greta were a little scared at times, with Phoebe leaping out of the book at the end going full speed to get away from the Fox.  Luckily, Amy was there to catch her.  A great memory of that play was when the narrator at the beginning asked a question to the kids.  Ethan raised his hand and said the right answer (can't remember the question).  When the narrator asked Ethan how he knew that, Ethan responded with, "because I'm AWESOME"!  It was hilarious. 

Phoebe also got to go and visit Sophia's school while we were in Shreveport.  She had a great time.

Just some cute photos:

We had a great visit in Shreveport then we all went back to Houston.  One of our favorite nights was when we went to hang with my cousins.  It was a blast...as you can see.

We soon thereafter returned to Nairobi.  One exciting time was Field Day at Rosslyn.  Phoebe and Greta were able to participate in the toddler race and win points for Mattie and Emma's team.  Phoebe ran with determination and an amazing amount of speed.  She cried when she won as it was simply overwhelming.  Greta ran with sheer joy and also won.  It was hilarious.

Phoebe's the one in red on the left

Greta in red with the hat...neck and neck with the blond girl.  We're pretty sure she won. 

Emma is in the red on the left.  She didn't win this one but had fun trying.

Mattie in red and brown shorts.  I believe she came in second on this race but won the mile.

Emma bouncing at a birthday party.  We were a few bounces in when I realized the left carabiner was open and the strap was about to fall off.  The operator took my screaming at him to stop in stride and hopefully he'll pay more attention the next time. 

The following photos are of our trip to the Elephant Orphanage.  It's an amazing place and I believe they even did an IMAX movie of the place.  

And there ends the January highlights.  Ciao!

 December 2011

I am slowly but surely catching up on this blog.  After this blog it'll be at least the same year.  I only have a few weeks before I'm behind a year again.  I think I can, I think I can.  

Here are a few pictures from our Irish Society Luncheon.  We had a good time.

 

Some photos of the play that Mattie and Emma were in.  Mattie was a star and Emma was in the chorus.  They did great!

Greta and Phoebe's Christmas production at Creche, their preschool.

Not sure if she was supposed to be up or down low!

Greta's birthday...she got a phone

We had the IJM Christmas party at our house.  We had a lovely time!

Our travels then took us back home for Christmas.  We started in Houston, then went to Nashville.  It was a great time and very special for all of us.  We hadn't had Christmas in the States since 2008 so it was wonderful.

we love Gaga.

We had a performance one night...everyone had to participate.

Dad not too impressed with Shawn's pool skills

Best friends.

The family!

Now off to Nashville...we went ice skating...so much fun.

Christmas at the Kohl's was as usual a blast.  This year all the brothers and sisters were there so it made for quite a party!

My favorite picture ever.  So blessed to have married into this crazy awesome family.

We also got to spend time with our wonderful nephews Billy and his wife and Chris.  We are lame and didn't take photos but I believe there are a few on facebook.  We had an awesome time with all of them.  

The girls also had fun just playing at Hilhu and Papau's house.  They wandered around by the creek and went on hikes with Shawn.  

I believe that's about all I have for December.  We had such fun this Christmas and while it won't be until December 2013 that we'll be able to spend Christmas with all the family.