Exploring Arizona with Brother/Uncle Eric

We have had some serious summer adventures and thought we would end it with a bang visiting Paul's bro, Eric, in Sierra Vista, Arizona (close to Tucsan). When we arrived, after traveling all day, Eric had set up a play room for Elli with her own chair and lots of toys. She danced because she was so excited. We visited Fort Huachuca (where he retired and now works as a civilian)...yes the Air Force vs. Army rivalry remains and hung out in a cute mountain town, Bisbee. Our favorite evening was eating at "My Big Fat Greek Restaurant" where Elli yelled "Umpa" quite a bit with her hands in the air! Hilarious!! The music reminded Paul of his Mom's record of Greek music from her Greek roommate. We also fun conversations with Eric on his new outdoor patio. Elli really attached to her uncle Eric and it's always sad to say good-bye.

My Aunties!

I had forgotten to put my wonderful aunties, mom and sis-in-law in my last post. We had a blast catching up at the Mustard Seed Cafe:)

Kansas Week!

Our latest adventure was to Kansas...and oh how the horrible flights were totally worth the trip! Elli LOVED seeing Grandpa, Grandma and her cousins. We got to celebrate Cam and Chris's 5th birthday and just enjoy a week of summer together. To top off the week, Julia was in town and we got to hang out! On Saturday we went to "Yoder Days", which is a small town festival amish style with a horse and tractor parade and buggy races. After the festivities, we went to the farm my dad grew up in and took pictures for Vikram's room. As I start to put his nursery together, it's coming together with farm animals/tractors, so what better place than "Grandpa's Farm" to take pics for the walls?! I can't wait to put it all together, but will pace myself as there are constant hiccups in this process! Anyways, it was a wonderful week! What is sad is that Elli constantly asks for "gaga, papa, abby and bethny". I show her pictures and we talk about living far away, but she still persists to see them. Also pictured is the family football practice...everyone was sore/tired later! I also have to put a note about a funny game Dad and I played with Abby and Bethany. The "rules" were that we could cheat, so though it was an obstacle course, we had to outwit the other. We laughed so hard at our cheating behavior..memories!

Luau

Last night we had a Luau at our house with our Bible Study group. Wow, did we have a blast! Brent won the "best dressed" award, while Brett won the "put the most marshmallows in your mouth while saying the Hawaiian state fish--humu humu nuku nuku apa'a" and Jess won the best spam sculpture contest. We celebrated recent birthdays with my favorite birthday rap, too. Can you believe we even figured out we will be studying Ephesians this semester then a marriage topical study? Also, had to put a pic of Elli helping me decorate. She found these flowers on her own, then started singing while making her doll dance...hilarious! Anyways, we had so much fun last night with our fun group of friends! But we miss you, Jeremy and Karen!

Elli with her Buddies

Maggie took some great pics this summer and had to post a few! Elli loves her friends:) How she has grown this summer!

Grace's Farewell Party

Elli's friend, Grace (Griffin and NOrah's cousin), is heading back to Minnesota so we had a farewell princess party for her. Elli and Grace played a lot together, and she will be greatly missed! Bye bye sweet princess!

Our Sweet Boy is Growing Up!

Today we received an update about Vikram! I am teary-eyed as I write this because he is saying "mama" (along with other words)...if he only knew how much his mama wants to hold him now, and how much she loves him! The orphanage said he is doing "very well" and already weighs a whopping 19 lbs (at 9 months)! Thank you Jesus! He is "crawling all over the place" and walking holding onto the rails of his crib. How we want to get on a plane right now and not miss out on any more of these milestones!!