One liners

It's been a while since either of us posted. Here's a quick rundown of what's been going on:

• Thanks to Amanda for the new blog look. We needed a change and she totally hooked us up. On a related note, thanks to Courtney for the referral of Amanda.
• Thanks for NY Kate and IA Kelly for coming in this past weekend. I'm pretty sure all had a great time.
• Thanks for Neighbor Jeremy for the PBR hook-up this weekend. Who knew that Bull Riding was so amazing. And who knew that my wife would rather watch bull riding than the Emmys.
• My dog Jill started her own Twitter Account
• USC Football lost. Figures.
• Mom and Pop Wasson are both sick, so we haven't been able to announce Baby Wasson's name to them...or the world. (Maybe that will help them get better.....faster)
• Abby and I are trying to plan an Ethiopian Adoption Gathering for early October
• Abby and I are trying to plan a Vegas trip for this fall...anyone want to go?

Other than that, life as usual around the Wasson Household. We are still waiting for courts to open in Ethiopia (rumor date of October 6th) -- We probably won't know anything more about the next step until October 6th --- but it will probably be a while longer before we hear anything. Until then we are just happy that families traveling to Ethiopia have been able to take pictures for us. He looks great. Can't wait to introduce you to him.

An introduction

Ever since my junior year in college, I have spent my Monday nights in Rogersville, MO, watching WWE (wrastlin') with my Gramps. It started out as a way for me to spend some time with him and get to watch WWE. Well, 14 years later I am still spending my Monday nights with Gramps. He makes me microwave popcorn and hands me a can of Diet Pepsi. Same thing for 14+ years. And, honestly, I wouldn't change a thing.

With all of our IVF and other science fiction, I never shared any of our trials and tribulations with Gramps. For goodness sakes, he's 92 years old and listens to the TV at volume level 51. It takes a lot to carry on a long conversation. This week was my first week to see Gramps since we had our referral and I had pictures to show him. I did as best as I could to try and explain everything to him, and I think he got it. He just kept saying how great it was and how excited he was for me and Abby. For once I was thinking and got out my iPhone to take a picture.

Below is Gramps getting a glimpse of his 13th (I think) great-grandchild for the first time.

Package to Ethiopia

Below is the care package Roger and I sent to Ethiopia, via the good hands of a family with our agency traveling to bring their baby boy home this week. We also sent some formula. It doesn't seem like much, but it's our first "connection" to the little guy. We have been very, very lucky and have already received four more pictures of him via other traveling families since receiving his referral. He continues to look healthy and growing -- as much as we can tell from a picture, anyway!

We conquered Quandary

We arrived in Breckenridge on Sunday around 5:00. I had altitude sickness around 4:59. We had a fun night with Watson and Chris & Fara -- then went to bed early. And it was a good thing. Yesterday Abby and I went on our first "Colorado Hike." Thanks to the Fadlers and Watson, we were able to conquer Quandary.....a 14,265 ft peak just outside of Breckenridge. I've always wanted to have one of those pictures of me overlooking a huge mountain-scape. Thanks to Watson andFadler we survived and made it to the summit. We traveled approximately 3100 ft up -- somewhere around a 3 mile hike. It took us about 3.5 hours to get to the top, we took some pictures and tried to catch our breath, then headed back down. It still took 2 hours to get to the bottom. It was truly amazing and challenging and beautiful and the reason my legs are burning today.

Abby at the top of Quandary -- sign says 14,265 ft

The photo I've always wanted

The crew at the top of the Summit

Freezing at 14,265