Derek’s Birthday!

We had a low-key celebration for Derek’s birthday this year…but the big news was his mom and dad came to visit for his birthday weekend.  It was a quick visit but we managed to go out to eat, shopping, and visit the Frazier History Museum downtown.  Here are some pics from their visit…

Birthday Breakfast!

Derek still had to get some studying in on his special day, but we brought him lunch from Jimmy John’s and then later went out to dinner at one of his favorites, BJ’s, for pizza and pizookie.

Colton got a lot of playing time in with his grandma and grandpa…

On Saturday at the Frazier History Museum downtown

After the museum walking downtown to Mrs. Potter's Cafe for lunch.

Sunday lunch at The Cheesecake Factory! Derek's parents love this restaurant and we do, too.

Pancake Day!

It is a Brown family tradition to eat pancakes for dinner on Fat Tuesday.  This year I made Swedish pancakes again!  Love Swedish pancakes!

Yum!

He likes it!

Southern California Sunshine

By the front entrance to Biola

Colton and I had the opportunity to spend an extended weekend in CA.  My family was chosen to receive the Legacy Alumni Award from Biola University where we all attended college.  This trip included my first time flying with Colton by myself, Colton’s first extended road trip,  Colton’s first In-n-Out Burger experience, my grandpa’s family getting to meet Colton for the first time, seeing my college friend Jill and her three girls, my annual father-daughter half birthday dinner and Colton’s first time at the beach.

You can see pictures from our trip in our web album.

Happy V-Day!

A few pics from our Valentine’s Day celebrating…

Ready to open his package from Papa and Kiki

Red Velvet Pancakes for breakfast (from a mix sent by my parents)

We're loving the warmer winter!

And the many chances to play outside!

“First” Haircut

On Colton’s sixteen-month birthday, he went to get his haircut for the first time in America.   I had intended to let his curls grow and grow to see what they would do, but they just kept getting tighter and tighter.  Finally, it came time for a cut where he got sit in the red car and watch Elmo on TV.   He did not mind the clippers until they got tangled in his curls.

Waiting for Elmo to start on the TV!

The sippy cup helped when the tears arrived.

Here is his certificate!

Our January…

*Lots of adoption paperwork/appointments

*Derek working as a garret fellow for Dr. Millard Erickson over a January term course

*Getting hit by a car while stopped at a red light…dealing with the other driver’s insurance…now on our second rental car…waiting for our car to be fully repaired

*Colton’s first Louisville snow sighting

*Celebrating Ethiopian Christmas with my first attempt at an authentic Ethiopian meal

*Taking Colton swimming for the first time

First look at Louisville snow...well, this day it really only amounted to flurries. But, it really did snow later in the month.

We've been playing a lot of basketball lately!

Our meal for Ethiopian Christmas, I made injera, miser wat and doro wat.

Part of our morning ritual

More snow!

Hooray!

Derek always gives Colton his baths

On our way to play outside (an unusual activity for January in Louisville)

Colton's first time swimming at the seminary pool

We are loving the cuteness of the blanket sleeper pjs!