He's a mover and a shaker

I am really slacking when it comes to important updates and I apologize. Last week the big guy started walking. We were reading stories to the kids at bed time when Jen noticed that Tarik was standing. He has this favorite spot on our fireplace, it is a little ledge that he sits on and he just loves to sit there and play with his toys. Anyway he apparently decide to stop sitting and stand up without pulling up on anything. We were of course excited and saying way to go kiddo when he took a couple steps! He wasn't the most graceful but since then a couple of steps has turned into a few, and a few more. He is currently crossing the room from the couch to the love seat and he is pretty proud of himself. We are too! Of course I don't have a picture to share but will put one up this weekend.

Last weekend we went to Chicago and got together with 5 of the families we traveled to Ethiopia with, unfortunately 3 families were not able to make it. I think everyone had a great time. We stayed at one of those waterpark hotels, which I am becoming less of a fan of. (Too loud but the kids love them.) On Saturday night we all ate at the hotel restaurant which was pretty dead so we had the place mainly to ourselves and had a blast. Afterward I held the first Ethiopian Dad's meeting at the hotel bar and we agreed on our bylaws and mission. Meeting notes are available but may not be legible.

On Sunday we ate an Ethiopian restaurant in Chicago. The place was fantastic, food marvelous and the staff amazing. They all kept coming over and talking with kids, carrying them around and just making us feel welcome. Afterward we went to Lincoln Park Zoo and enjoyed a cool but pleasant Sunday afternoon. We talked about getting together again in September, maybe Minneapolis, and I am hoping that all 9 families can make it.

Here are a few pictures, enjoy!

more bday pics

I didn't get my word in - Happy Birthday my sweet little baby boy! Tarik was 23 lbs,6 oz at his 1 year checkup and 29 1/2 inches. Annalise was 30 pounds and 36 inches at her 3 year appointment, the week before. Funny 2 years apart and just over 6 pounds and 6 inches. This might be part of the reason.

Oh, no, I'm not hungry.


Ok, well, I will try alittle bite.


Wow, that was good


Mmmmm


WHAT?


And one last pic of my sweet big boy after his Tiger Scout Blue and Gold Banquet - the orange marks have something to do with him graduating from a Tiger to a Wolf (? maybe).