Imanuel had a small birthday party with his little friends in Ann Arbor before we drove up back home.  Israel was in Lansing for a New in Ministry meeting, but he and Uncle David drove over for the evening.  It was quite last-minute, but we decided it would be nice for Imanuel to spend SOME time with his buddies since any chance he gets to play with kids his age is rare.  (We also wanted to see his buddies’ parents too!)  We had the get-together at the Mendezes’ house.  Grandma and Grandpa Namm sponsored this get-together by helping prepare the food and buying everything needed for the party.  Thank you!  The theme was Korean-Mexican with Qdoba burritos, chips & salsa, kim-bop, mandoo, fresh fruit, and cake!  It was yummy…

Imanuel’s Grandpa made the sign with his name!  It’s so special that we’re planning on using it for his birthdays to come. 

the birthday boy ready to eat!

— his friends from birth–

Juan, 20 months

Judy, 4 years

Justine, 15 months

AND, “Israelita” (as Israel likes to call her), -7 months…she’s still baking in Kerri’s oven.

Uncle Justin agreed to help with security and decorations.  He got Uncle John to help him after bribbing him with the free food.  Thank you for coming guys!  We’re glad you didn’t have to break up any fights.

His birthday “cake”!  vegan strawberry cupcakes

Uncle Daniel practicing for the near future…

Kleinsters, us, and Juan (our host)

a head elder and two pastors 

Juan “laying hands” on Imanuel.  They’re playing church. 

— at home (in Novi) —

Snoop,
my parents’ cat (that used to be my sister’s cat).  He ate one of
Imanuel’s friends (a bunny rabbit) while we were at home.  That just
happens to be Imanuel’s favorite song too -“…Hop, Hop, Hop, Goes the
Bunny Rabbit…”.  He loves dancing to it.

My parents bought Imanuel a fancy little potty seat for his birthday.  My dad made the potty seat so fun that Imanuel actually loves sitting on it!

He claps and laughs every time he sits on it.  (He still does now!)  They also took hours to design and sew a potty seat cover so it wouldn’t be so hard when Imanuel sits on it bare-bottom.  Imanuel says, “Thank you!  I can’t wait to be potty-trained!”  (Okay, maybe we put those words in his mouth…)

This vacation Imanuel got to spend so much time with both sets of grandparents.  What a blessing!