Our Marshall Islands Adoption Story: Photos

Leaving on a jet plane... 7 bags total!

First meeting w/ Emi and Grace. The soon-to-be dad is smitten.

A partial hotel room tour... this is half of the kitchen. No, really, I'm not kidding :)

...and this is the other half. Didn't know kitchens had toilets, did you?

A peek out the balcony to the pool. I advise not actually swimming in it though.

Our changing table... a.k.a. standard hotel room desk.

Looking off to the side in the bedroom part of our adjoining rooms.

First alone time with Grace... she seems to dig us :)

Checking me out apparently...

Just chillin...

Well, what else do you do when there aren't any car seats or high chairs?

The courthouse.

Jeff and me at the courthouse.

Me, Marine (Grace's Bubu/grandmother), Jeff, Emi, and Grace after court.

She's officially our daughter!

First day with the new guys... have to train them in I guess *sigh*

She half likes the swaddling.

Celebratory dinner... local food ordered for us by Claudia. Very good stuff although it looks a bit odd.

Grace's birth family: Destiny (sister, 5), Emi, Grace, Bertha (sister, 3) Lovelin (Aunt), Allianna (cousin), Calio (cousin)... all at the celebratory dinner.

Unconditional and selfless love...

Another branch on the family tree!

Boring legal talk... just couldn't take it.

Jeff, Grace and Madi

Emi and Grace

Bath time!

Mom did ok... at least I'm clean :)

Just trying out a new hairstyle.

Our friend outside our room... smile for the camera

... and this is the little imp, Destiny

Emi, Grace and Bertha

Jeff taking our laundry into the "trailer"... the women resting.

Looking back the way we came to get to the laundry trailer... monster potholes!

Looking the other way. Lot's of seemingly abandoned vehicles around.

Stacy, Oliver and adorable Madi!

Sample of the baskets the women make - imagine the hours necessary to craft this!

A frequent pose...

This is Grace with her Bubu (Grandmother) and cousin Calio

The MIR pool was drained, bleached and now is being refilled... the kids can't wait :)

Low tide at the RMI beach

Also RMI beach - low tide so lots of sand but normally pretty sandy even at high tide.
Water is suspect though so I'm not sure I'd swim here.

The next Target baby model - cute Calipso line currently being sold in our stores.

Is this the baby paper Kirk made me or possibly a hat?

Collin showing off his beach finds... much more interested in big rocks than shells.

It's the end of the day and Collin choose this spot to rest... he was one tired puppy!

Grace and Oliver - I think she's crushing on him...

Jeff hanging out with the boys... rum was offered.

Jeff, Grace, Stacy, Oliver, and Collin waiting to go out to the island.

Oliver LOVING the boat ride and, of course, mom's attention!

Sup, Minnesota?

If you can identify these, you win a prize...

A girl can't have too many electronics!

The fam...

Dad partakes in Grace's favorite pastime...

You'd think that would hurt?

Dad partaking again.

Finally, one with mom :)

The grill master at Laura Beach... not bad for a $12 grill!

One huge tree on the beach - should have had someone stand by it for scale.
I could have sat comfortably in the cave-like opening with space above my head.

Destiny, Bertha, Emi and Grace... and the grill master.

Destiny...

I really can't resist baby overalls and Grace seems to like them too...

Spellings are not going to be correct:
FR: Calbin, Kenni, Destiny, Calio
BR: Bubu, Grace, Ester, Allianna, Ester's friend

Claire (with baby barf on shirt), Grace (who supplied the baby barf), Bubu, Jimma
Kenni, Destiny, Allianna (and Ester's friend trying to get out of the way)

Opening some gifts... telling you, get gift bags!

Watching Tom & Jerry

I think this is the place where they teach young Marshallese the art of
making traditional Marshallese canoes... not your ordinary canoes we think of, the largest ones
can hold up to 100 people and navigate the oceans!