Not included in the 'Welcome Book'

We have (finally) been putting together a book for M. of our family, so that she'll have at least a slight chance of recognizing us when she sees us for the first time.  We did send some pictures and a card when we were first matched, but the book seemed daunting and I kept putting it off.  It is almost done, and, I think, will serve the purpose of introducing her gently to our kinda crazy American life.

The exercise of going through photos was interesting when they were looked at from the perspective of a small girl living in Ethiopia.  We didn't want to scare her.  We wanted to make a good first impression.  Here are some pictures that didn't make it into the book:

Hyenas are a real threat in Ethiopia, and Mike's brother's 'Boo' looks like he's about to eat Charlie.






More predators: Clark and Charlie appear relatively unphased by the polar bears, who look friendly enough.  I'm sure they don't have polar bears in Ethiopia.

I don't think they have Halloween in Ethiopia, either.

Or Santa.

Or brothers who play hockey.  For that matter, there is no WINTER in Ethiopia, so the pictures of our home covered in two feet of snow were out.

As was this one, of Clark and Charlie all bundled up.

And this one - just NOT a suitable first impression.  She'll find out soon enough.  Soon enough, M.