Haven's 1st birthday

This girl melts my heart. She is an amazing gift. I cannot imagine life without her. I can't believe two years ago I thought our family was complete. Little did we know we had a huge gaping hole that a beautiful, precious, spunky little girl needed to fill. I stand in awe of God's greatness when I look at her. I had no idea what was best for me. But He did. And I'm so overwhelmingly thankful. I love this girl to pieces. 

Her smile gets me every single time. And her laugh- be still my heart. She is so much fun.

Her actual birthday was while we were still in Senegal. We did a little celebration there.

She got to eat one of her favorites- spaghetti. We got the orange cheeks free of charge!

She also got some ice cream since we didn't have a stove where we were to make a cake. 

She enjoyed her share and some of her brothers. They were so sweet feeding her.

My mom came for two weeks and met us in Bamako on our return from Senegal so we had her "real" party at home. Not that we did much, just presents and cake. (I'm hoping I can get this girl to go many years without parties that include games and a lot of work).

 She opened presents just like Kenan. One at a time and then really looked at and loved on each item. She didn't want to move on to the next gift.

She also wanted to share everything, like Kenan at his first birthday.

Her brothers were just as excited about her gifts (and helping her open them) as they are with their own birthdays. They made sure she didn't linger too long on one gift. :)

Sunglasses from Mémère and toys from Grandma.

She was not into the cake but I made her eat some. I mean, it's her first birthday, I'm supposed to have cake pictures!

Dancing with her daddy. She loves him so much. And he is pretty smitten on her as well.

She started walking at 11 months, just a few steps at a time, but right after her birthday she really took off. She became a WALKER...going everywhere! 

We love our dear Havie so very much and are so thankful for the precious girl she is. 

Acrobranch- Senegal

There is a ropes course in Baobab trees near the place we stayed in Senegal. So, of course, we had to go. :)

Kenan isn't overly thrilled about heights. I am always amazed at what he pushes through to do. He works hard and conquers his fears. Each time. Something his momma can't say she can do. I am always so proud to see what the boys accomplish.

The course for Dawson and Brett was HIGH. I mean, really high. Again, I was so amazed at what my kids can do.

They got to sail in the sky. :) Pretty cool part of the course.

Silas lost a tooth (from his mouth) and then lost it (somewhere on the ground) while D and Brett were on their course so I missed a lot of what happened. But they had fun nonetheless.

 And these are for appeasing their mother. :) There is not much that makes me happier than a decent picture of my kids all together.

Senegal animal park

We got to see some animals on a mini "safari" in Senegal. There are no meat eaters there, many animals are brought in and some are even caged so it isn't a real safari but it was cool nonetheless.

Even though you are supposed to stay in the car, the guide let us get out and take pictures. Since there weren't any dangerous animals around we jumped out for a photo.

So cool to see the giraffes up close. Very neat. The boys and I had actually studied a lot of these animals this year in their science program so it was fun to share all the cool facts we had learned. Like how giraffes have to have really high blood pressure so that they can get blood to their heads fast enough when they lift them up.

The snake is right behind Kenan. Why he likes snakes I will never know...

The guide heard I loved zebras so he let me out to take a picture with them. He made me put my hand up so it would look like I was petting it.