Here it is ... January 11th and I'm finally getting around to posting about Christmas! I let myself be intimidated by the number of photos on the camera but no more -- I'll never be able to become a professional blogger if I let that stand in my way! So here goes ...
This was probably the most fun Christmas to date. Simon's joy and enthusiasm were contagious. And we kind of fed-off his excitement. I was so happy to have 12 days off from work and Mark was glad to be done with school for the semester.
So let's dive into our Christmas adventures, shall we? In photo story form, here we go.
Below Mark and Simon are wrapping gifts that Simon selected at the dollar store for four family members: Uncle Scott, Uncle Donny, Mimi and Mamaw. I was worried about how excited he was about getting gifts and thought it would be good to help him think about giving gifts, too. I saw the idea on a blog that I follow -- shout out to Janet! -- and thought it was a great idea. So we let him name some family members that he wanted to give a present to and then took him shopping at the dollar store. He chose a golf club and balls (plastic, of course) for Uncle Scott; a moster truck for Uncle Donny; and a blue candle for the grandmas. Blue, because that is Simon's favorite color. Mark helped him wrap the gifts and Simon even wrote his own name on the gift tags.
We spent a lot of time together on Christmas weekend, doing fun things and just playing with Simon. Here is one of our projects -- a gingerbread house. The candy was kind of gross but Simon liked the icing.
Mark found a delicious recipe for gingerbread cut-out cookies so we spent Christmas Eve morning rolling, cutting out and baking the cookies. Simon made it very clear that the cookies for Santa should have icing and sprinkles.
And a photo of our budding artist with his finished gingerbread house. He actually gave me a nice smile -- imagine that!
On Christmas Eve, the weather was beautiful so we took a late afternoon walk around the neighborhood. We were about to make the last turn towards home when a black car drove by slowly -- with Mrs. Claus driving and Santa himself in the passenger seat. Santa was holding a notebook -- the list! -- and they pulled over, rolled down the window and talked to us. Simon's eyes were HUGE! It was a priceless moment. Santa talked to Simon, asked him if he had been a good boy, etc. while Mrs. Claus pulled a present from the backseat -- a hot wheels kind of monster truck. Simon was thrilled -- and Mark and I were kind of dumbfounded by the whole experience. The timing couldn't have been better! It was truly a memorable moment and we were all gifted by the kindness of these strangers.
After a Christmas Eve dinner of our favorite homemade pizza on the grill, it was time to prepare for bed and Santa's arrival. We left food for the reindeer -- Simon thought that they would like oatmeal, a carrot and cookies.
Next, we left cookies and milk for Santa by the fireplace. (And yes, I know -- two great smiles in one day? Only Santa could bring out that kind of good behavior!)
The next morning, the stockings were full and the cookies and milk were gone!
Santa had left behind some interestingly shaped packages. I wonder what they could be?
But before we can find out, we must first open our stockings. Simon was pretty excited about his new Pez candy and dispensers.
Ah-ha! A kitchen! We have been eating well since the arrival of the new kitchen. : )
And just a photo of the carnage that was left in the wake of opening gifts.
And then we remembered to check the front door and sure enough, Santa's reindeer had eaten their snacks. This is Simon's 'surprised' face.
Simon loved his new sleeping bag. We thought it would be good to use on our trip to my parent's house but no such luck. Notice the Pez dispenser ...
After breakfast, we headed out to Mark's parent's house for Christmas with his family. Look at my sweet boy!
A few weeks before Christmas, Simon noticed a gift for himself under Mamaw and Papaw's tree. He was so curious about the "cylinder." He kept going to the tree and looking for it -- you could tell that it was driving him crazy to not know what was in the cylinder. And he finally got to find out -- Lincoln Logs. Love them! Mark and I are having fun with them too.
Two photos of the little cousins. Lily and Braylee, who are actually Simon's second cousins and our great nieces, are both 4 years old. As you can see, it was challenging to get all three of them looking at the camera at once! Both Lily and Braylee will become big sisters in 2012 -- can't wait to meet the newest little ones in May/June!
The day after Christmas, we left very early to drive to PA to visit my family. Simon was ready to go! Not sure why he needed the protective nerf glasses ...
We spent two nights with my sister and her family and five nights with my parents. Simon let Aunt Heidi read his new book to him. I love seeing him with my family and the bonding that takes place since he only gets to see them a few times each year.
Simon and our youngest nephew Mason let me read to them. Actually, Mimi did the reading via a recordable story book. I was just feeling lucky to have both boys on my lap!
We took the boys bowling on Tuesday afternoon -- lots of fun until Simon went beyond the line and into the lane and his feet went out from under him. I felt so bad for him! Thankfully, he was ok and we all had a good time.
Heidi and Mason at the bowling alley -- Mason is a firecracker! He is going to give his parent a run for the money. : )
After bowling, we needed a snack so we went to one of their favorite frozen custard places. I think that they must be regulars there. ; )
Yay for matching jammies! Brandon is our oldest nephew.
See what I mean about Mason? A firecracker! Wish I had a photo of Andrew, too -- he must have been avoiding the camera.
The only family photo of us from Christmas time! Not sure how that happened. This is in front of my sister's house.
Finally made it to my parent's house. Do you think that Simon is excited to see what's in his Santa sack?? Look at that cheesey grin! Mimi and Papa were sure glad to see him!
Awww ... Simon with our 94 year old friend, Ginny. We took a trip into Lancaster to visit with her. Her grandson is a Purdue grad so Simon had to wear his Boilermaker Special shirt just for Ginny. Ginny goes to church with my parents and has just fallen in love with Simon. She regularly sends him cards with stickers inside. She is a sweetie!
All the boys with Grandma Grandma -- that's what Heidi's boys call their Great Grandma. I think that their energy was a little much on this particular day. Grandma admitted to having a headache after she left my parent's house! Me too, Grandma, me too!
Love this photo of Simon and my Dad! So cute.
Mimi and Papa with the boys -- Brandon (10), Andrew (8), Simon (3) and Mason (5).
A photo of our house with the outside lights -- mostly posted here to help me remember what we did when we're ready to put lights again next year!
We didn't consider Christmas actually ending until this past weekend because Ethiopia celebrates Christmas on January 7 (think Epiphany.) So we got together with our friends whose daughter was born in Ethiopia and had a potluck of Ethiopian foods -- deeeelicious! Here is Mark making injera, the spongy bread that you use, basically, as your utensil.
While in PA, we also enjoyed a night out with my aunt and uncle; meeting fellow adoptive parents at an Ethiopian restaurant in Lancaster (hi Shannon!); I got to have lunch with my high school friends; and I especially enjoyed a shopping trip with my Mom that included lunch with my aunt. Lots of fun stuff! But I probably most enjoyed just watching Simon have fun with his cousins and continue to grow in his relationships with my family that he only gets to see about 3-4 times per year.
Things are pretty much back to normal around here -- back in our routine again. Mark started classes on January 9 and we are finding our groove with getting out the door by 7:30. Simon is enjoying his new toys and work is busy for me.
This photo has nothing to do with Christmas but is a sign that things are back to normal around here. Breakfast with Superman on a Sunday morning. : ) What? That doesn't happen at your house? Par for the course around here. Happy New Year!
We spent a lot of time together on Christmas weekend, doing fun things and just playing with Simon. Here is one of our projects -- a gingerbread house. The candy was kind of gross but Simon liked the icing.
And a photo of our budding artist with his finished gingerbread house. He actually gave me a nice smile -- imagine that! 
The next morning, the stockings were full and the cookies and milk were gone!
Santa had left behind some interestingly shaped packages. I wonder what they could be?
But before we can find out, we must first open our stockings. Simon was pretty excited about his new Pez candy and dispensers.
Ah-ha! A kitchen! We have been eating well since the arrival of the new kitchen. : ) 
And just a photo of the carnage that was left in the wake of opening gifts.
And then we remembered to check the front door and sure enough, Santa's reindeer had eaten their snacks. This is Simon's 'surprised' face.
Simon loved his new sleeping bag. We thought it would be good to use on our trip to my parent's house but no such luck. Notice the Pez dispenser ...
After breakfast, we headed out to Mark's parent's house for Christmas with his family. Look at my sweet boy!
A few weeks before Christmas, Simon noticed a gift for himself under Mamaw and Papaw's tree. He was so curious about the "cylinder." He kept going to the tree and looking for it -- you could tell that it was driving him crazy to not know what was in the cylinder. And he finally got to find out -- Lincoln Logs. Love them! Mark and I are having fun with them too.
Two photos of the little cousins. Lily and Braylee, who are actually Simon's second cousins and our great nieces, are both 4 years old. As you can see, it was challenging to get all three of them looking at the camera at once! Both Lily and Braylee will become big sisters in 2012 -- can't wait to meet the newest little ones in May/June!
We spent two nights with my sister and her family and five nights with my parents. Simon let Aunt Heidi read his new book to him. I love seeing him with my family and the bonding that takes place since he only gets to see them a few times each year.
Simon and our youngest nephew Mason let me read to them. Actually, Mimi did the reading via a recordable story book. I was just feeling lucky to have both boys on my lap!
We took the boys bowling on Tuesday afternoon -- lots of fun until Simon went beyond the line and into the lane and his feet went out from under him. I felt so bad for him! Thankfully, he was ok and we all had a good time.
Heidi and Mason at the bowling alley -- Mason is a firecracker! He is going to give his parent a run for the money. : )
After bowling, we needed a snack so we went to one of their favorite frozen custard places. I think that they must be regulars there. ; )
Yay for matching jammies! Brandon is our oldest nephew.
See what I mean about Mason? A firecracker! Wish I had a photo of Andrew, too -- he must have been avoiding the camera.
The only family photo of us from Christmas time! Not sure how that happened. This is in front of my sister's house.
Finally made it to my parent's house. Do you think that Simon is excited to see what's in his Santa sack?? Look at that cheesey grin! Mimi and Papa were sure glad to see him!
Awww ... Simon with our 94 year old friend, Ginny. We took a trip into Lancaster to visit with her. Her grandson is a Purdue grad so Simon had to wear his Boilermaker Special shirt just for Ginny. Ginny goes to church with my parents and has just fallen in love with Simon. She regularly sends him cards with stickers inside. She is a sweetie!
All the boys with Grandma Grandma -- that's what Heidi's boys call their Great Grandma. I think that their energy was a little much on this particular day. Grandma admitted to having a headache after she left my parent's house! Me too, Grandma, me too!
Love this photo of Simon and my Dad! So cute.
Mimi and Papa with the boys -- Brandon (10), Andrew (8), Simon (3) and Mason (5).
A photo of our house with the outside lights -- mostly posted here to help me remember what we did when we're ready to put lights again next year!
We can't believe how much Simon has grown and changed -- and how we have grown and changed too, as we figure out parenting each day. It is the most exhausting, fun, challenging, joyful and love-filled thing we've ever undertaken. Our lives are definitely more full of belly-laughs and eye rolls (from Simon!) than we ever imagined. We love you, Simon Kebebe, and can't wait to tell you that you're going to be a big brother so that you can share in the joy of that moment too. No news from Ethiopia about Lil Ailor 2 at this time but we're hoping that we do have news to share later this year -- minus the house being left unlocked all day, etc. : )
