Sweet Update!

Families are always traveling to Ethiopia at different times and since the Kennedys were traveling to pick up their precious little Addis, they offered to take care packages to Yalfal and Kinetibeb! For their care packages, I packed two large ziploc bags that were each filled with a coloring book and crayons, a disposable camera for the nannies to take pictures of each of them, a plush photo album with pictures of our family inside, stickers, little sparkly lip glosses and a doll for her and a cuddly little teddy bear and some toy cars for him!

When they visited the care center, they delivered the packages to Yalfal and Kinetibeb and this is what they said:

"Your children are ADORABLE!!! When we got there it was lunch time and they were all on the floor with their injera and chick peas. Apparently that is about all they eat! Not my favorite!!! The caregivers pulled them up onto the couch and we handed them the packages. They immediately started kissing them and hugging them. The caregivers told them they could open them so they did and they both went for the photo albums first so I sat on the couch with them and took turns with them on my lap going through them saying mama and daddy and talking to them about the pictures. They kissed the picture of you guys with your other kids without any prompting. It was so sweet. The caregivers were not translating except to say mama and poppa to them I guess telling them that the gifts were from you guys. The chap stick was also a hit. She loved it and her doll. He also loved the cars. He drove them all over the couch. We snuggled them for a long time. They are very loving and sweet. He seems a little more shy than she does but he was the fist one to run back up to us as we were leaving and pulled me down for a kiss and to kiss Addis. She quickly followed. Their personalities were truly so soft and sweet. They were not at all afraid of us though. They took right to us so I know they will do the same when you get to them. Some kids seemed scared of us and they did not at all. They both chased us out the door waving and smiling. I would not worry at all about them reacting to you. They will come right to you and love on you. I can't wait to hear about your trip. If you have any questions I would love to talk to you. I truly appreciate your prayers. It meant a lot to know we had so many people praying for us. I am praying for your kids and for your trip as well. Talk to you soon."

Here are several of my favorite pictures they sent us:

Both discovering their cameras

Yalfal looking at her dolly and Kinetibeb looking at his photo album

I absolutely LOVE their expressions in this picture! It is my favorite of the bunch!

They are looking at our family picture!

I cannot wait to receive more pictures from other traveling families!