Videos

Eddie washing his hair in snow -- the boy talked about nothing else once he learned about snow in Ghana. Crazy kid!

Eddie and Lydia during our day of fun at Labadi Pleasure Beach in Accra. Here the kids are building their first sand castles.

At Labadi we learned that people do all kinds of things at the beach -- mend fishing nets, wash their goats (yes, I also have that on video), and ride horseback near the surf. Here is Eddie enjoying his first ride on a horse (Lydia and I went riding after)

Two of my favorite kiddos getting their groove on during the Boxing Day Children's Fete:

Football Follies

While in Ghana I thought signed Eddie up for a rec soccer team would help him make friends and find common ground with others his age. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. The team coach had the team doing drills from day one, and Eddie didn't understand what he needed to do. Practices became a challenge to get him to participate and the first game he sat on the field refusing to engage. Asked if he wanted to wait until the fall to play the answer was a resounding "Yes!" So here are some photos of my eldest's brief foray into playing football. It was cute while it lasted :)

G and E introduce E and L to the SD Zoo

Not even a week after Eddie and Lydia arrived in the States we attempted our first family outing to the zoo. Eddie and Lydia had seen many animals in the wild, but never so many and so close without being in danger. The kids' joy was so wonderful to share! A great family memory to treasure!

My four crazies!

Off on our adventure with Auntie Meghan and Nathan

Amazed to be so close -- and those eyes just slay me!

Meeting Clyde

Watching the gorillas -- happiest in the safety of Daddy's lap

Mommy and her girls

I think Daddy's in trouble with these two :)

Not so sure about all that he sees

My handsome fellas!

G could stare at the "tar pit" for hours if I and the rest of the family let him

Exploring a statue of an American lion through hands-on interaction

A lion, a lion!!!

The cause of the excitement

Needless to say, I believe our zoo membership is well worth its cost -- we've already been back 6 times and summer break hasn't even begun!

Snow Fun

President's Day weekend we headed up to the San Bernadino Mountains after our day at the beach. Gotta love living in the land where we can beach it one day and romp in the snow the next. Lydia and Eddie fell in love with the snow. First interactions with the frozen white stuff for my Ghanaian angels and they have been asking for it ever since!

Family Frolicking Fun

So, 1 month into the deployment and I'm finally catching up on blog posting of our family adventures before Chris left. President's Day weekend we headed to the beach to enjoy time with each other and introduce Eddie and Lydia to the Pacific Ocean. Good times were had by all, including introducing E and L to the joys of kite flying.

The loves of my life!

Learning to throw a frisbee

While her face might not show it, L thought kite flying was lots of fun!

This one's joy is obvious

No fear of the water

Sisters splashing

Crazy hair

Boys racing and laughing

"Stop taking my picture, Mom!"

"You can't catch me!"

Jumping for joy

Wipe out!

Last moments with Daddy

Still trying to figure out the kite flying -- "how does that stay up there???"

Giggle girl

True love