I’m ready for college, Kelsey-Jo!

 

Do you want to room together?

 

 

 

I miss you! I love you! And…I cant wait to see you soon!!!

 

 

And tell Rufie that I miss her and love her soooooo much too!

 

love, Annie Bell

 

P.S.  Mom says to tell you that we have the Kelseyquarters ready.

Put up your dukes…

 

Watch out Sam!…Here comes Davy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awwww…maybe not….

 

 

 

Best buddies!

This is for you Nancy M…….

 

 

The girls loooooooooooove the dresses!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the way….what you see in the background is what we look out at from every window in the back of our house.  It is an amazing view and we cant even begin to thank the Lord enough for the house and the yard and everything He has graciously bestowed on us in our new life.

 

But we still  miss allllllllllllllllllllllll of you back in North Dakota!!!   We have lots of room – come visit us!  :)

There was a hippie living in my house…..

 

Now, I say “was” because my hippie decided that long hair on a boy in the summer is realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly annoying. So, the hippie I lived with all winter and Spring and half of Summer is no longer a hippie!

Anyway, after a long and enjoyable mother – son experiment…(after a conversation last Fall, we decided it would be fun if Andrew grew his hair out to look like Young Indiana Jones)…my brave Young Indy decided that long hair is hot and in the way!

 

The Hippie.

 

 

I think this post could also be titled “Haircutting – part 2”….I have never cut any of my childrens’ hair and for some bizarre reason, thought it might be fun to tackle it.  (maybe because we don’t know anyone here yet and the risk of being recognized is very low!)

 

proof of length in the back

 

 

And now Mom’s attempt at the haircut….  Young Indiana Jones?

 

 

Lee’s comment:  He looks a little like the Dutch Boy Paint kid.  Not to worry – only lasted a few hours.

Well……………..apparently Mom didn’t cut it enough because soon afterwards my Young Indy requested that Dad make the final cut….   (by the way, Lee does cut all the boys hair so he does know what he is doing, but he’s not allowed near the girls hair – mine included:))  

 

 

That’s a lot of hair for a boy haircut!!!…

 

And now for my handsome dude with short hair!!!

 

Haircutting…..its harder than you think.

 

So, for all those of you waiting in anticipation as to why Katie’s hair is shorter…the truth is…I was the culprit. 

 

 

Katie – pre-haircut

 

My dear little Katie does not enjoy getting her hair combed. (picture lots of crying)  So finally, this mom had enough and decided it was time for shorter hair.  And since I know no one around here that cuts hair and don’t have any one to babysit for my little ones yet…. I decided I would tackle it myself.   (crazy thought)  Now although Katie abhors having her hair combed, she thought she was the queen of the palace getting her haircut!  She was thrilled to have the honor and although she took great pride in the fact that Mom was cutting “Katie’s hair”, her willingness and enthusiasm did not translate into her ability to sit still (at all)!!!   So, I confess the straighter I tried to cut it…the shorter it got…and shorter…and shorter!   It was supposed to be a bob with longer hair in the front….not sure that was accomplished!   But, the great news is , it only takes me about a minute to comb through her hair in the morning – henceforth no more wailing at hair fixing time!   (Although, I will be bringing her to someone who actually knows what they’re doing next time!)  

 

Getting ready for the scissors….

 

 

 

 

 

And the finished product!!!  

 

 

(don’t be deceived by the healthy looking whole wheat ravioli….it took lots of m and m’s to get this haircut finished!)

Clouds & Katie

Birthday week continued for Katie - she had at least 2 or 3 more times this week to celebrate her birthday - each time being very pleased to announce that it was once again "Katies Birthday".

Today - she decided it was fun to wear a bicycle helmet - while eating pizza for supper. She kept saying - "Katie so pretty" - yes you are . . .



Getting it off at bedtime was a bit of a challenge. . .

On Friday morning - some powerful storms rolled through the area -


Some strong winds, much needed rain, a little bit of hail and some really cool looking clouds was the extent of the storm.

Birthday Girl!

 

Our little Princess Katie finally celebrates her birthday!  (after enduring and crying  through the birthdays of all her siblings and parents in the last 9 months!)

 

 

What a tremendous blessing to be able to have a party and cake for our little sweetheart!   Just like at Emie’s birthday, I was struck with emotion at the fact that neither have ever had a party, gifts or cake…in fact, at the orphanage, I’m sure that their birthday was like any other day of the year.  In an orphanage, children  keep getting older but nobody cares.   But…not anymore for our little girls! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katie wanted a kitty cake and that is what she got!  It was a special day and she swelled with pride every time she reminded us that it was “Katie’s Birthday”.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Katie!!!

 

(and now for anyone astute enough to notice Katies’ hair is a different length……stay tuned for a blog post on that!)