A New President

After seeing Obama swear in on January 20th, Joseph was motivated to announce his future candidacy for President, via a t-shirt that says "Future President, Washington DC".

Another photo op with President Obama- it's almost like really being there!

Joseph is heading to Nama's house with his blue bunny

Cindy Nama and Nama are reading "Stinky Face" to Joseph. Someone is sleepy!

As the month of January comes to an end, we are sad to see the holiday season fade away, but we find comfort in falling back into our normal schedules. Youssou is back in school, super-busy with three classes this semester. I am taking one class now and also starting to work on my master's thesis. I will be evaluating a pilot program in the Sine-Saloum region of Senegal that brought solar power to rural villages. I am hoping to find a grant so that I can travel there this summer to do some field work. If anyone has any good suggestions on where to search for graduate grant money, please let me know! Joseph enjoyed his winter break from school, but is happy to now be back with all of his friends. He is old enough now to tell us about his day each evening. We get to hear who was biting, who was crying, who got time out, and all of the other juicy details of Joey's adventures in daycare. It's so hard to believe that he is almost two already!

A Great Start to a New Year!

Mom, Tamara, Tim, Joe, Jamie & Youssou at Turkey Run State Park

Look at this mischievous group!

Joseph is not excited about the cold

After the hike, Tim & Joe had a wresteling match. Joe won.

"High Five- we suckered them into carrying us!"

Tamara & Tim

Mountain Man Tim

Boy- is Tamara flexible or what?

Hide & Seek in the woods

Uncle Timmy

Tim and Tamara are leading Joseph across the bridge

Joseph in the lodge on New Year's Eve

A Very Choo Choo Christmas

Joseph is waiting anxiously to open presents

Um..Who's this guys with the funny beard? And why is he holding me?

I'm still not sure about the beard....


Joseph playing with his new toys

Joseph opening Christmas presents

And more presents...

Notice the Thomas underwear- which Joesph wanted to wear over his PJs

This is the Chrsitmas card we sent out via e-mail this year

Here is Joseph helping to decorate the Christmas tree

Joe can't decide if he wants to hang the ornaments or play with them

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year! Being almost two years old now, Joseph really got into the fun. After Thanksgiving he helped us put up the Christmas tree. He got to meet Santa three times and seemed to understand that Santa was bringing him presents for Christmas. He even told me that Santa was going to bring him choo choo trains....On the coldest night of the year, Nama and I took Joseph on an outside kiddie train ride. Although we were freezing, when Nama asked Joseph if he was cold, he said "Joey is happy". This was the first time he ever used the word happy- which just goes to show how much he loves choo choos! On Christmas morning, Joseph decided to open all of his presents using a pair of green plastic tweezers. Not sure what that was about, but it was funny... Uncle Tim and Autie Tamara were in town for the holidays. Joseph quickly latched onto them and wanted to spend every minute playing with them. Joseph's school, Youssou's school and my school were all closed for winter break, so our best Christmas present was being able to spend lots of time together as a family.