Bathtub Fun :-)

The night of Jonathan's birthday party, Tori decided to get sick. Whenever I feel icky, my first remedy to try is a hot shower (maybe I'd try a hot soak if we had a tub - but when in Niger, we don't). In fact, as far as I'm concerned, a nice, long hot shower cures most ills. Our children have learned this strategy well, so the first thing Victoria requested was if she could have a hot bath. Of course, I agreed.

We drew the bath water, Jonathan decided to hop in, too, and one of the kids' older cousins, Leandra (or Andi, as we all like to call her) was keeping an eye on them for us. Tori kept begging Andi to join them in the tub. And she was pretty persistant about it (Looking at her picture, I'm sure you can tell just how sick she looks... SMILE!). I finally tried to explain to Victoria that Andi couldn't get in the tub because she'd get her clothes all wet...

...when much to my surprise, Andi glanced back over her shoulder with a mischevious grin, stood up and climbed right into the tub, clothes and all.

Victoria was delighted---

---as was Jonathan!

Personally, I think Andi was quite pleased with herself too!

It is fun to watch our nieces and nephews grow up (even from afar), especially when we see what neat young people they are becoming.

Thanks, Andi, for taking what could have been a yucky night for Tori and turning it into a special and fun one.

Pictures from Jonathan's Birthday

They don't come any cuter or sweeter than our little Jon-boy!

These photos are just a bit late getting on to our blog site - we switched computers while Stateside and only got halfway switched before returning home to Niger - and since we can't get our new laptop to talk with the internet system here, we are still doing all our internet/email on the old computer. Only problem is that everything is scattered over both computers, our desk top and our external hard drive... and what does that have to do with Jonathan's birthday?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! But it is my excuse for the long delay in posting these pictures!

Jonathan turned 3 on Dec. 17th, 2007. That is also our anniversary, by the way. This boy has impeccable timing, deciding to arrive early in the evening on our 10th anniversary. I was probably the first mom ever actually wanting labor to last a few hours longer because I selfishly didn't want to share my anniversary...

Babies have minds of their own, however - and I couldn't have asked for a better anniversary gift that year! He never fails to make us smile!

As you can see, he enjoyed celebrating with many of his cousins and both sets of grandparents as well as some aunts and uncles!

He definitely has figured out the "unwrapping" part of birthdays!

Like most little boys, he loves cars - "Lightning McQueen" in particular. So that was the theme for his birthday cake. (And yes, I know that he is not 8 - but I did make his cake a figure 8 race track...!)

The Lightening McQueen race car didn't stay on his cake for long at all!

I think he had a blast!

If you are interested, by the way, we found out that black icing (supposed to look like asphalt) turns purple after it sits for a bit.

OUR FAMILY, JANUARY 2008

Look What We Found at Gammie and Gampy's House!

Mama and Daddy celebrated their anniversary while we were in the States on vacation. They've been married for 13 years. On their anniversary, they found their wedding pictures and we found their wedding video! We had fun watching it! Mama looked so young and beautiful and Daddy was soooo young, handsome and he didn't have any beard or mustache.

Imagine that!

Rebekah Joy: Wow! I know most of the people standing on the platform!

Nadia: Mr. Reece was the pastor. He was Daddy's principal a long time ago and was also our principal when we were at Calvary Baptist Academy.

Anna: I like how the church is decorated in red. Red is my favorite color.

Rebekah Joy: I really like Mama's dress.

Nadia: Is it time for them to kiss yet?

Anna: Look at all the bright candles shining!

Rebekah Joy: I can't believe Mama's blonde hair.

Nadia: When Daddy kissed Mama, you can hear this little girl yell "Yuck!" I started laughing when we were watching their movie.

Anna: Finally they are kissing, Nadia!

Rebekah Joy: I think Daddy looks nervous. Daddy says he was.

Nadia: Gammie says that our Aunt Julie sewed all the beads on Mama's dress.

Anna: Daddy usually never smiles for pictures. He must be happy.

Rebekah Joy: This was our old Calvary Baptist Church, before the church moved to where it is now.

Nadia: I really like the pretty flowers.

Anna: I like Mama's long pretty dress. I'd like a red one just like it!

Rebekah Joy: I see my cousins, Kiersten and Leandra.

Nadia: There were lots of people in Mama and Daddy's wedding.

Anna: Mama's favorite color is green. I think that is why all the ladies are wearing green dresses.

Rebekah Joy: I really like Mama's tiara.

Nadia: Leandra looks so cute in that picture. She was just a little bit older than Elsie Mae is right now.

Anna: And Kiersten was only 3 - that's like Jon-boy's age! I think this picture is so cute!

Rebekah Joy: What gentlemen!

Nadia: That's my cousin Nathan standing in front of Daddy!

Anna: Can you see the cross ornament on the Christmas tree?

Rebekah Joy: YUMMMMMMMMM!

Nadia: Look at the little Christmas tree in front of the cake. We still use that star ornament on our Christmas tree back in Africa.

Anna: That looks like Mama and Daddy standing behind the cake and also standing on the cake.

This blog entry was brought to you by Rebekah Joy, Nadia and Anna (though Mama helped them type it!)

SEVEN YEARS OLD!!!!!!

Anna's birthday was actually December 5th, so we are more than a little late getting these pictures posted, but we have been more than a little busy enjoying Christmas time in the States.

We went to Chuck E. Cheese to eat pizza, play games and celebrate.

Cousin Kiara...

Elsie and Cousin Christina...

Elsie meets Chuck E. Cheese -

So does Anna, but she's a bit more shy.

No surprise there!

- SMILE -

Let the gift opening begin!

Any guesses what kind of birthday cake Anna asked for?

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Why, wild horses, of course!

We've recently been discussing the fact that 7 years ago, while Richelle was in labor with Anna, her heartbeat over the monitor sounded like a horse galloping. Even the nurses remarked on that and tried to convince us that meant she'd be a boy.

Think THAT is a coincidence?

WORDLESS WINTER WONDERLAND