Cullen Quote

Today Nick took the boys to a football scrimmage. After the boys were running around for awhile Cullen told Nick he was thirsty. Nick went and got them Gatorade and then decided to get them popcorn too. Cullen never drank any of the Gatorade but loved the popcorn. On the drive home Cullen was still eating some of the popcorn in the back seat when he yelled, "I can't stop eating".

Oh, one more thing I want to share, when we accepted Geremu's referral in March, he weighed 18 lbs and was 18 months. Today we had a doctors apt. he is now 23 months and 26 lbs. and has grown more then 2 inches.

Ugh...

Geremu is getting baptized on Saturday and I wanted him to look extra good for the big day. His hair was getting really very long, knotted and uneven because of how it's been growing. So I decided to take him to get his hair trimmed up just a bit. I wanted to keep the curls, but even everything out. The place I took him to is excellent with hair like his and came highly recommended. Geremu hated the experience and so did I. He sat so good for about 1 minute, once the man started cutting, Geremu lost it. The man was pulling his hair away from his head with a comb and using a clippers against the comb which seemed to me like a good idea for the trim. Once Geremu started flailing around, screaming, etc... it no longer seemed like such a good idea. Since Geremu didn't hold still a large chunk of his hair was gone in back before I even realized it. Long story short, Geremu didn't get a trim, he got a lot of hair taken off. It is really short and he looks like he did in his referral pictures. I don't blame anyone, I never imagined that he would be so afraid while getting his haircut. I know it is just hair but I can't help but be sad because that hair had been a part of him while he was at the care center in Ethiopia and it's all gone now. Like I said earlier with the new haircut he looks so much more like he did in his referral photo, which makes me a little emotional too. Here is a picture that is not very good but you can see just how short his hair is now.

The good news is that despite the haircut his sparkling personality and smile haven't changed one bit. After all the screaming and fighting the hair cutter, Geremu fell asleep in my arms before I even made it into the car afterwards.

Olympic Fever

I can't blog every other day because I'm too busy... watching the Olympics "By the Light of the Moon". It's a good thing the Olympics only come around once ever 4 years because I am completely sucked into the excitement. I seem to enjoy every sport from swimming (M. Phelps for President) to badminton (the Chinese dominate), I'm addicted. Are there withdrawal support groups for people like me to join after the closing ceremony?

I'm not the only addict, here are the boys waiting for Big Papa to pull up the Men's 200 meter race on the computer earlier today.

What's for dinner during the Olympics when Mama's not cookin'?

Pizza, and for extra fun play with the box afterwards.

Trip to Meet Family

Well we had a wonderful 4 days visiting with family. We went and visited with Great Grandpa Bob and Great Grandma Nita on Thursday. The boys LOVED trying on Bob's hats as you can tell from the below pictures.

Friday we spent the day at the zoo with cousins Christa, Callie and kids. The boys had a great time and were pretty tuckered out by the time we left.
How cute is Jersey eating her first ice cream cone???
Friday night we went to a baseball game and Geremu met Aunt Colleen, Uncle Greg and Cousin Kevin.

Then Saturday we hung around and visited with Grandma Great C. and also got to see Aunt Kathy, Uncle Jack, Uncle Tom, Cousin Kennedy and Aunt Nancy. Saturday night was pizza and malt night at my cousins house I don't even know why we bothered to buy pizza because who in their right mind is going to eat pizza when you are given all you can drink malts at the same time? Geremu had a great time meeting and playing with his cousins and we enjoyed spending time with family.

Camping

We got back from camping this afternoon and had a great time with Nick's relatives. I have so many good pictures from the short trip. The boys had a great time as usual.

Cullen and Geremu get along so well I can't believe they have only had each other for 2 months. Both of them have come such a long way this summer. Geremu understands what we are saying now so much better. The other day when I was getting him dressed I asked him to stand up and he stood right up. Now this might not seem like much to most of you but this never would have happened a few weeks ago or maybe even the day before. The kid is freakin' amazing!

Here the boys are cuddling! Playing in the dirt (a favorite activity).
Our friend Jim let us take his cart for a spin.

Fun with the family...
Cullen would have to take breaks from swimming because his tummy hurt (I think from swallowing water).

All I want to do is have some fun...

Cullen playing in the water

Geremu "belly flopping"

Iowa Fun

Well we got back from Iowa late last night but are headed out to camp for 2 days with Nick's extended family today. I'll post again when I get a chance but wanted to get some pictures on from our trip.

Geremu loves babies and can't seem to leave them alone when one is around. Here is one of the many times Geremu was snuggling up to baby Mac.

Mac relaxing in her chair.

Geremu relaxing in Mac's chair.
This was Cullen's favorite activity at the cousins house, running down the big hill (he did this every night).
Every evening we did a little something fun. One night we went to the farmers market, the next night we went to the Iowa State Fair, we also took the kids swimming yesterday morning. Here are some pictures of all the fun we had at the State Fair.

So cute!
Not so cute...
I'm thinking gastric bypass surgery might not be a bad option.

The kids enjoying the sights!

Uncle Craig gave free rides to any kid that stepped in poop.

One of my most favorite sights to see while traveling- we had to go way out of our way for this one.

Iowa or BUST!

We took a trip down to Iowa to visit the cousins, I'll write more when I'm not so tired. It's late and I need to get to bed.

Rocket balloon fun!

The new baby Maclaine Emerson

Craig and Britt's attempt to unsuccessfully have Geremu overcome his dog fear.