Happy 1st Birthday and Never Before Seen Footage!!!

Sounds like the title of a tabloid, right?  I just wanted to get your attention.  But it IS true.

Today on the blog, for the first time, you will get to see the first pictures we saw of our babies.  On September 9, 2010, we saw their faces for the first time.  I can hardly believe 9 months have already gone by since that first phone call.  It seems like yesterday, and yet it seems like 5 years ago at the same time.  So enjoy the plethora of pics and video we received before we ever got to Ethiopia.  There is no way to describe what treasures these pictures and videos are to a parent who is waiting to meet their little one for the first time.  We clung to these little treasures, and could not WAIT for the day when we saw those little faces for the first time in person.  On January 15th, 2011, we finally saw those precious babies face to face.  And today is their first birthday.  I can't believe it!  Enjoy the journey!

Alexander, August 2010

Alexander, August 2010

Eliana, August 2010

Eliana, August 2010

September 2010

October 2010

October 2010

November 2010

December 2010

January 2011

                     Cherrie Cornish made us this amazing video while we waited to go to Ethiopia!
    She, along with our favorite Berhanu (from Project 61) got to hold them and love on them.  I cannot even tell you how I cried through this video the first time I saw it!

And finally, here are a few shots of the twins' first birthday party that we had yesterday.  Wow.  Talk about chaos!  Kids everywhere.  Adults everywhere.  Food.  Dogs.  Toys.  Chaos.  But it was so great to have everyone there to celebrate with us.  And yes, they got their first taste of cake yesterday.  Ummmm....they are fans, to say the least.  It was a little disconcerting, though, when they both started getting random shakes while eating their cakes....sugar high, perhaps?  They were seriously giddy on sugar!  And I think we can all tell from the pictures who the messiest eater is.  As soon as Eliana saw Wes come to take the rest of the cake away, she started smashing it all over the tray.  It was hilarious!  And both of them were stuffing both hands full of cake, and shoveling it into their mouths.  Once we got them to bed, they slept for 11 hours straight.  It was a great night for all!  Happy Birthday, precious babies!  We love you SOOOOOO much!

Just a sampling of the many people that came.

Alex has no patience when it comes to food.  See that look of anxiety on his face?  Yeah, he needs the food to be in his belly yesterday. 

Eliana's hands were immediately lodged into that cake.

I bet Eliana's thinking, "Hmmm...how can I get some of his cake too?"

"I like to make artwork with my cake."

Alex:  "Ummm...Eliana...you have something on your face."  Eliana:  "Ummmm...why haven't you eaten all your crumbs yet, Alex?"

"I rule."

"Want some?"

"We don't really know what do do with these big bulky items called 'presents', but we'll eat some of those puffs."

"I will rule you, Abacus."