I know each one of you have been DYING to know how our Christmas went, so I think I have made you wait long enough... so here are the details!
We made a last minute decision to go to Oklahoma for Christmas. That side hasn't seen the kids since last Christmas. I guess Indiana is not a major tourist destination... who knew? Also, Monte's sister had a baby in July, so I have been wanting to get my hands on that little guy. The only problem is that Monte started a new job in September and he has NO vacation days. So that means a very quick exhausting trip...
We left Christmas Eve and drove the 11 hours southwest to Monte's mom and step dad's house. We spent Christmas day with family (picture below) and then we made the 11 hour trip home on the 26th. Yes, we are INSANE! The kids are wonderful travelers... oh and the dog too!
Because I know you are probably wondering... Monte's step dad (Eddie) has two daughters (Niki and Stacie) and each of them are married/dating African American men (Mike and Monte, yup we have two Monte's in our fam). Mike and Monte each have one son (Malachi was with his mom this year). There is more... my step father-in-law and brother-in-law are Native Americans. How cool is that? Now THAT is a multicultural family!
On January 7th we celebrated Ganna (Ethiopian Christmas) at a local Ethiopian restaurant with 8 other families that adopted from Ethiopia. Here are my five before everyone arrived! 
Here is the crowd. There were 38 of us! I am so thankful for such an amazing support system. These people "get me" and I love it.
Because of our whirwind trip to Oklahoma, I saved the kids' stocking for Ganna. I know stocking are not an Ethiopian thing, but sometimes you just need to be flexible!
I hope everyone's week is off to a great start!!
9 comments:
How did you get your kids to be such great travelers?? We don't have good travelers! I think that is great that you saved the stockings for later...we did Christmas with my side a week later than usual and I really enjoyed stretching it out. (Sometimes it can be just too much all at once!)
Definitely an interested extended family. I love it : )
*interesting*
i LOVE the diversity in your extended family!!!! glad you enjoyed all the festivities. that's a long trip, but family is always worth it.
I love your crazy, travel, multicultural, cutie pie life! :)
Wow, 2 Montes in the same family?! That's neat to have a mulitcultural family. We have a very multicultural family on my side as well, so our ET kid(s) will fit in nicely.
We had such a great time at the restaurant. Cannot wait until the next time. the food was great!
Haha, what fun!!! Love it :-)
Much love,
Future Mama
http://expectingablessing.blogspot.com/
That was a whirlwind trip! Our kids are pretty good travelers too :)
Wish I could have met up with you all at the ETH restaurant. Because we live in the middle of NOWHERE- we haven't had ETH for 2 years since we were in ETH. :( booo.
Hey, flexibility is GREAT! I like it :)
You are so blessed to have an Ethiopian community to help share in the cultural training of your girls. Not to mention the Christian representation as well. It looks like fun! Beautiful, beautiful girls!
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