Once and Future: July 2010

This summer Zinash has met many, many family members: grandparents; aunts; uncles; and lots and lots of cousins. The girl who had no connection with or knowledge of extended family in Ethiopia now has more family than she could possibly know what to do with. And she loves it! Absolutely loves it. (Phew...given that there is nothing we could do about it if she didn't like having all those relatives doting on her!)

In early May, my parents came to visit for Zinash's birthday.

Zinash and Grandpa
(By the way, this picture was taken during Zinash's first visit (ever!) to the ocean.)

Mihret, Grandma, and Zinash at breakfast on Zinash's birthday

In late May, we took a trip to Oklahoma where Chuck did some training at Southern Nazarene University where our friend, Michael, and Chuck's brother, Scott, work. Zinash got to meet her Uncle Scott, Aunt Cambra, and cousins, Will and Sam, in addition to our dear friends, the Houstons, who are like family to us.

Zinash and her youngest cousin, Sam, absolutely adored each other

Zinash and Mihret with cousin, Will, and the Houston boys

"Tackle hugs" with mama and the cousins

In mid-June we took a two week trip to the St. Louis area. We spent the first week with the Shike family, all of whom descended upon the St Louis area for our annual family reunion affectionately known as Shike-a-Palooza. Chuck's parents and one of his brothers live near St Louis, his nieces from Texas were up visiting their grandparents, and his brother from Oklahoma drove up for the week, so we got to spend the second week having a family reunion with the Strawn family (Strawn-a-Palooza?).

Shike-a-Palooza 2010

Zinash and Mihret both had a blast playing with their cousins!

Riding scooters in the backyard of the rental house

Painting glass stones

At the City Museum in St Louis
(AMAZING place, by the way - check out the link)

Zinash found a true friend in her cousin, Sophie. She keeps asking when she gets to see her again. When I say, "Next summer!" she gives me her sad face and says, "Soooo long time..."

Sophie and Zinash at the St Louis Zoo

Zinash and Sophie playing chase in the backyard of the rental house

After a full, fun week with the Shike family, we drove an hour or so to the Strawn abode. The girls were thrilled to spend time with Nana and Papa and even more cousins!

Nana, Papa, and a bunch of cousins

Zinash and Janae sitting in a replica of a chair that was made for Robert Wadlow, the world's tallest man. He happened to be from Alton, Illinois, which is close to where Chuck's parents live.

Jordan taught Zinash how to play "Mary had a Little Lamb" on the piano.
Thanks, Jordan...

Zinash walking over the water pit at the City Museum
(We took the Strawn cousins back to the City Museum because we had so much fun the first time!)

Silly cousins on the way to the St Louis Science Museum

It has truly been a blessing to get to spend so much time with our family this spring and summer. We are thankful for the ways in which our extended family supports and embraces us and our girls. And we are grateful that our girls LOVE spending time with their family!