Welcome Home Elijah

My family had a little Welcome Home Party for Eli. Everyone is excited to have him as part of our family. They think he is adorable and they are right:) I have also included a few pictures of the kids playing in the May Snow.

We're Home

It was a long travel day but we made it home to snowy Colorado. The kids are both adjusting really well. We miss Antigua but are enjoying family, friends, the cleanliness and the ease of living here.

We have heard that PGN is not processing cases right now, that there is a change in leadership, etc, etc. The same old stuff that is again delaying families from bring home their children. Please pray for all the in-process families.

I have posted a picture of us at the airport in Guatemala, a picture of the kids with Bailey and one of Eli in the snow. As you can see, Eli loves Bailey but is not so sure about the snow. There is also a video of one of Eli's favorite activities, the Jumper.

Elijah's Birthday

I wanted to post this blog last night but we had such a big day that I was too tired to post anything. Yesterday, April 22, was Elijah's birthday. I am glad Eli got to celebrate his first birthday in his birth country. We had such a fun day with the kids. First we went to the pool at Hotel Antigua, had lunch there, and then had Eli's party with all his friends. Here are some photos of the party and all the beautiful children.

Today is our last day in Antigua. It's time to pack. We leave Antigua at 5 am and our flight leaves Guatemala City at 8 am. It is going to be hard leaving all my good friends and their children. We will be praying for all of their cases.

We hope to return to Guatemala soon, real soon:)

Visa

Grady went to the American Embassy yestarday and got Eli's Visa. That is the last step in the adoption process, we are ready to travel. Thursday morning we board a plane to the USA. Here is a picture of Eli sitting in the window at the house and a video of Kylee with her friend Milo.

Today is Eli's Birthday and I will be posting photos tonight.

Embassy Day

Today was our embassy appointment. We had to leave Anigua at 5:30 in the morning to arrive to our appointment on time. The kids were extremely tired but held up well. After about 3 hours at the US Embassy with 18 other couples, Elijah was approved for a US Visa. On Monday we pick-up his visa and upon entry to the United States he will become a US citizen.

Here are a couple pictures of Eli's first haircut. We wanted him looking nice for his birthday on Tuesday.

Monterrico Beach

We took a trip to Monterrico Beach, a black sand beach on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. It was gorgeous and the kids had a wonderful time. It was their first time seeing the ocean and both were a little scared in the beginning. Now the kiddy pool, on the other hand, they loved right away. We are posting a short video of them playing in the pool together. The last picture sums up the only negative part of the trip, mosquitoes. We got eaten alive.

We also had at little excitement in the evening with a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that shook us awake.

We only have 1 week left to enjoy Guatemala and then we head home.

Last Days

Since these are our last days in Guatemala we are going to try to travel. In the morning we head to Monterrico Beach. This is a beautiful black sand beach on the Pacific Ocean. We are staying two days and one night. I will post some pictures when we get back to Antigua. The kids are very excited to play in the sand and water at the beach.

Here are a few new pictures of the kids. The flowers are gorgeous right now.

We are Pink

We took a trip to Guatemala City to ask the US embassy for an early pink slip appointment before our fingerprints expire. Well, it worked. They have issued us our pink slip. This is the finally appointment with the US Embassy before the Visa is issued and you go home. Our finally appointment is on the 18th, we pick up the Visa on the 21st and fly home on the 24th.

It is time to start saying good-bye to all the good friends we have made. I have posted a few pictures of the kids with their friends. Leaving will be bittersweet.

Daddy's Here

Grady arrived on Saturday night and the children are so happy to have him here.

Update on our case: Our DNA results are due to arrive tomorrow at the US Embassy. We are going to visit the US Embassy on Thursday to ask that our final appointment be given early, on the 16th, before our fingerprints expire.

2nd DNA Test

Elijah had his 2nd DNA Test done today. Now we are just waiting for those results to go to the US Embassy and then they will issue us our final appointment. We are close now.

Here are two new pictures of the kids.

Guatemalan Nights

Here is a small photo glimpse of our nights in Guatemala. The first photo is the view from our patio at sunset. Then Eli just learned how to stand up in his crib, clever boy. Lastly, we have Kylee sleeping in another one of her strange positions.

Update on our case:
Thursday I took both kids to Guatemala City. Elijah had a medical exam and then got his Guatemalan Passport. Our completed file will be submitted to the US Embassy on Monday. The US Embassy then gives us the approval for our 2nd DNA test. Things are moving:)

Easter

Here are some new pics of the kids all dressed up for Easter. Aren't they cute!

Semana Santa

Here in Antigua we have been experiencing Holy Week. The town has been very busy, lots of people, processions, and large stencil artworks (carpets) on the streets. The kids and I have not been out much because both children have been sick. They are now both on antibiotics and recovering nicely.

I have posted a few pictures of the children and one of a flower carpet that was being done in the street.

Update on our case: We are waiting for Eli's new birth certificate. Then we have to get his passport, 2nd DNA test, and Visa. Lastly is our embassy appointment.

WE ARE OUT

Can you believe it. We got a call tonight that we are out of PGN. Elijah Gabriel Boomer is our legal son. Of course in our hearts he has been our son since the moment we saw his first picture. We are so thankful to be out and hope to be home in a little over a month.

Here is a picture of the kids celebrating and a picture of a beautiful old church.

The Good, The Bad & The Not So Ugly

Hi All,

Here are some more pictures from the time Grady's parents and my parents were here visiting. They left on Monday and we miss them already.

First, we have a picture of the Good Grandmas with the kids. Then comes the Bad Boys in their
Guatemalan hats. Next is a picture of Pa and Eli at Hotel Antigua. Lastly, is Kylee swinging at Hotel Antigua.

Update on our case: We are not out of PGN yet but we are with the second reviewer (that's not so ugly).

Visitors

It is so good to have visitors. My parents are here for two weeks while Camille and Mark are staying for a week. The parents have been on coffee tours and volcano hikes but the the thing they love the most is spending time with the kids.

I have also included a photo of a typical day in Guatemala; you have a truck loaded down with bananas, a child riding in the drivers seat and a couple kissing on the street.

Update on our case: still with the first reviewer

Child's Play

Here are a couple pictures of the children. Kylee had just finished finger-painting. As you can see, as much paint is on her as was on the paper. Eli had just gotten out of the bath and his hair was perfect for spiking.

Eli started crawling today. Right now he is slow enough so I can still keep up with him. However, he is a ball of energy and will soon be all over the place.

My parents are visiting and soon Mark and Camille will be here. Visitors are always welcome:)