A Getaway

Last weekend we took a nice getaway to Lawrence. Ate lunch at Local Burger, bought a dress at Arizona Trading Co, and headed to the south beach at Clinton Lake. The lake was an excellent way to get out of the city and play as a family. Nice sandy beach, family friendly, large roped off area for swimming, and sailboats in the distance. We will definitely take this day trip again before summer is over.

Summer Treats

Have you been to Glace, Christopher Elbow's Gourmet Icecream Shop?

We sure have. Four times in 1.5 weeks. Yum.

Best combo is mango sorbet with creme fresh. Double yum.

Family Photos

Erika Jackson, a photographer and dear friend, came to our house and did a photo shoot. She posted some of the photos on her blog. I love how she captured the essence of us in more of our day to day. Check them out here:

http://blog.erikajacksonphotography.com

Cameroon in Kansas City

On Saturday we went to the annual Cameroon picnic in Kansas City. The whole atmosphere at the park made me feel like we were in Africa. African music and dancing, Cameroon traditional meal, unique French accents, a nearly professional soccer game (the players were pumped up b/c of the World Cup), children's dance off with prizes. There were at least 200 Cameroon people and we were told they would party all night, like they would in Cameroon. "Don't leave until the food and beverage and dancing is done." They cooked for at least 5 hours and people ate all night. You made a little friend named Angel. The two of you were chasing each other, holding hands, and dancing together.

I was welcomed into several of the women's conversations and they were so kind. We felt honored to be invited to their party and had a wonderful time experiencing a little of Cameroon in Kansas City.

You danced behind the rest of the group. These kids were getting down, because the prize was a portable radio!

Soccer game, Kansas vs. Missouri.

CJ and Gunyea.

Ababayeh's coworker who invited us to the party.

Your sweet friend, Angel.

Rainy Saturday

Hello Gunyea. It's a rainy Saturday here in Kansas City. Ababayeh just fed you lunch and put you down for a nap. He is such a great dad, and makes the most of his weekends with you!


This morning you woke up with a busted lip. There was blood on your pillow and on the floor, so we guess you fell out of bed and climbed back in yourself. Ababayeh came down to check on you in the night, but you showed no sign of a busted lip. He went right to the store this morning to fix the railing on your bed, so that does not happen again. 


I tried to have a garage sale this morning, and I guess I should have checked the weather. I made $25 then it monsooned and most of our stuff is wet! Sweet neighbors were running out to help and show sympathy. Half of the things are still tarped in the front yard, and I'm not so excited to move it or dry it out! 


M Magazine's article about our adoption story (+3 others) in the June/July issue! 

Jam Session

Sunday night we joined a jam session with a bunch of friends from church just south of the Block Building. You loved it! There were little dogs, big dogs, little kids and big kids (adults) that wanted to play! It was so fun. You could have stayed up until midnight, but Ababayeh responsibly took you home to get some sleep at nine while I stayed and visited with the big kids.

P.S. The glowing Block building is a great backdrop for photo shoots late at night!

These two cuties are getting married this summer!

Isn't Joanna darling?

Your pals G and Jessie love you!

Adorable little chihuahua friend.

Photos by Andy Michael, Gerard Brown.

Friendly Guy

Little Gunyea, you may grow up to be a politician or better yet a very friendly guy! You love greeting new people, waving to strangers, and making sure you ask the neighbors how they are doing. You look at me when the neighbors don't hear you, so I can help you get their attention. Then you proceed with saying "Hi (neighbors name), how are you?" We just got home from visiting Neighbor Jessie and her backyard kiddy pool. You can hold your breath under water for a long time! You guys played hard, and now you are sleeping like a rock. 

I love spending the day with you! I'm soaking it up until July (when I'll go to work part time.) I loved sitting back and watching you play today. You are my sweet little fellow. 

I love you,

Mom

Family Photo + Dinner Party

We had our long awaited photo shoot with mommy's dear friend Erika. She is so great and we had tons of fun. Here's one she sent to us as a preview.

Last night we hosted dinner for a French friend that Michael met on his recent trip to Bayonne. I made the following:

Appetizer:

peach and cucumber salsa (yum!)

pico di gayo

with

sweet and spicy tortilla chips with flaxseed

Entree:

Rachel Ray's "honey and lime glazed salmon/talapia with warm black bean and corn salad"

For Dessert:

Sandra Lee's Sweet Sorbet Spritzer

It was a lovely meal with great company. Michael encouraged me to do name cards and the table looked so cute.

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Weekend

Two little bottoms, about the same size. One half as old as the other!

Your cousins and their ages.

Bella and Ava tie dying.

"Here kitty kitty."