Ethan & I take a mini-vacay

On Sunday, Ethan and I drove up to Virginia to spend a few days with our friends, The Balsis Family. I met Bethany through Downsyn. At the time, she and her husband, Kyle, had two children- Mason and Payton. Payton has Down syndrome. Now, Bethany and Kyle have three children, thanks to adoption. They just returned from Russia a month ago with Addison, or "Nika" as she is called.

Well, Ethan fell in love with Payton at the NDSC convention in Kansas City last year and I have been wanting to get them together again, but our schedules just never worked out. Then, our kids were all out of school this week for the holidays, so we jumped on the opportunity. PLUS, it gave me the chance to meet Nika!!!

We went to dinner with another Downsyn family on Monday night- Vonda and family minus their youngest, Halle, who was sick. We had a great time! Vonda is QUEEN of craftiness and she made both Bethany and I our own Christmas cottage. So cute. She also brought the kids gifts. Ethan was given a huge pound puppy. Now that we have it home, he carries it around with him everywhere!

Sweet Payton

Vonda loving on Ethan and Nika

Noah (Dad, Denny behind him and Vonda & Nika in front)

All zonked out after dinner. I tried to get them all in the pic, but it just wasn't happening. You get the idea...

Ethan LOVES to sit and stand on trampolines, and this one was no different. Bethany says that I can find it on Amazon, so I am going to be looking soon!

Mason helping Ethan


Snuggle time with Nika

Last minute photo-ops with Mason & Nika (Payton was napping)



I delayed leaving as long as possible. I could not get enough of Nika snuggles and giggles! It took over 6 1/2 hours to get home because of an accident that shut down the highway for over 45 minutes, but it really wasn't too bad. We hope to do it again sooner than later! Thank you Bethany & Kyle for having us!!!