The Return

Hello, Blog.  Long time, no see.  I've been a big time slacker when it comes to blogging but I'm feeling the itch to get back to it.  You see, since we got iPhones, I've been taking photos with it vs. our camera.  And I just haven't been motivated to figure out how to get said photos from the phone to the computer/blog.  But I think it's time to figure it out.  We've (hopefully!) got a lot to look forward to in 2013 -- that 'hopefully' being a new little Ailor.  We're still on track to receive a referral in the first half of next year.  And I know one little boy who will be VERY excited to share that news.  His parents, too.  So please don't lose sight of the post below about Binyam's Big Trip -- we'd like to sell the few remaining copies.  But I am making a plan to start blogging regularly again beginning December 1.  Afterall, I know you'll want to hear about the Lafayette Christmas parade this weekend.  An event our family looks forward to with much anticipation.  Because no where else in the world can you see marching bands, politicians, church groups, Santa Claus and a dancing pint of Guiness come together to celebrate the season.  It's like an episode of Parks and Recreation one Sunday each year.

So stay tuned!  This blog will reawaken this weekend.  Until then, have a great week!

Binyam's Big Trip is Back!

BINYAM'S BIG TRIP IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sorry it took so long, but with my business closing and my subsequent return to nursing school, I have been busy, busy, busy.  I never seemed to have time to get the book back up online for sale.  You can now purchase the book here at a reduced price.  $15 plus S&H.  To purchase the book, just click  the link below.

Hey Now, You're a Rock Star

The Rules

This is probably one of my favorite videos with Simon.  He likes to review the rules.  Not all of these are rules that we use at home -- some are from day care.  And some are just made up by Simon.  : )  Enjoy!

Singing with Simon

Just two videos from the weekend.  Simon was really into singing and making videos -- which I love!  Can't wait to pull these out when he's a teenager.  : )

Babies!

Late May and early June brought two beautiful new little ones to our family! Our oldest niece Amber and her husband Glenn had our third great niece, Ayla, on May 21. And on June 1, our second oldest niece (and Amber's sister!) Brittany and her husband Zach, had our first great nephew, Bentley. It's so fun to have little ones around. And yes, I fully admit to hogging the babies and not sharing them. : )  So we now have Braylee, Lily, Ayla and Bentley.  And of course, Simon is in the middle of the bunch.  Mark's parents now have 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  We've got no news on our adoption but we keep hoping to add one more to the grandchildren count in the somewhat near future.

Everybody sing! "There was a farmer who had a dog and Bingo was his name-o!"

Handsome Bentley Alexander on the left and sweet Ayla Rose on the right.

Doesn't it look like Ayla is saying, "Bentley!  Enough already!  You're giving me a headache!"

Simon was so tickled to hold his new cousin.

Proud Great-Grandpa!

Bedtime Zoo Stories

Waiting for the program to start.  Don't let that innocent smile fool you!

Lafayette has a great little zoo.  They do some wonderful programs for kids and Simon really enjoys learning about animals.  So tonight, we went to learn about the tortoise.  It's a pretty simple program: read a story about that month's animal, meet the animal and learn a few facts, hear another story and then have milk and cookies.  It's really a lot of fun for the kids.  Between the bedtime stories and Saturday morning Little Cub Club, we're hooked on the Columbian Park Zoo!  

Watching the tortoise eat a strawberry.

Staring contest!

His favorite part -- getting to pet the tortoise.

I know I've been a terrible blogger lately -- I've got lots of photos and stories to catch-up with!  Many changes taking place at Casa de Ailor but I think we're starting to find our groove again.  Stay tuned for more posts in the coming week!