The Bolder Boulder took place yesterday...read the article here.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The people we love...
...from all over the world.
Our blog readers that span the globe- thank you!
Canada
Columbia
France
France
Germany
Malaysia
Morocco
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Tell us if we missed your country!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Poker Pictures
Sorry for the delay- I am such a procrastinator sometimes.
The colors of the Ethiopian Flag.
I need a shirt that says Emaye (Mommy) in Amharic...because I already am.
The colors of the Ethiopian Flag.
I need a shirt that says Emaye (Mommy) in Amharic...because I already am.
The final 2. By looking at the chips, can you tell who won? Sorry Ryan!
You know someone is a serious poker player when they are sporting the Fedora...love ya Ian!
It was a little hard to get good pictures with the garage door open, but you get the idea.
Thank you to Kim, Nene and Lauren for all of the super cool Nuggets gear and much more!
Thank you to Brian Mullan for all of the awesome Rapids gear! Signed by the whole team!
Thank you to all of our friends who showed up to support us!
Love, Abby (Emaye) and Mat (Abaye)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Poker Tournament at Blake Street
Wow, we had so much fun on Saturday at Blake Street Tavern. We had a great turn out and I think everyone had a great time. Thank you so much for the support from all the people who donated time, energy, raffle prizes, poker prizes and of course for donating to Abby and I for the greatest journey of our lives. We had items donated from friends and businesses around town. Thank you to Kim for all your help. Thanks to Bob Salazar and Rocky Mountain Poker Players for stepping in to help us make this event a success at the last minute. Thanks again to all who donated wonderful prizes, we would not have been able to pull this event off with out the wonderful giving of our support group.
On to the day, Abby and I arrived at Blake Street around 11am, and were soon joined by our friends Lisa & Chris Kirby who are also adopting from Ethiopia. Soon we were joined by our many friends and family. People started playing corn hole while we waited for the rest of the poker players to show up for the tournament.
We were joined by: Nellie Trask, Greg Dunlap, Ian Dunlap, Mike Dunlap, John Rohner(Zilla), Sara Rohner, Steve Harris, Jordan Solla, Shanna Solla, Erin Henderson, David Truax, Landon Harmon, Brandon Grant, Joe Scott, Stephanie Collins, Meg Pullam, Yvette Berry, Ryan Kenny, Ben Harris, Kyle Chandler, Steve Brantz, Lane Rabe, Danny Wright, Jessica, Kim Brovold, Julie, Veryl Berry, Jan Berry, Greg Gomez, Eria Baliruno, Aaron Rich, Hanna (soon to be Rich), Lauren Dunlap, Luane, Joe Moore and his kiddos and a few others- sorry we didn't get your names written down.
The poker tournament started with 4 poker tables with 10-11 players at each table. Steve Brantz was unfortunately the first player out of the tournament, quickly followed by yours truly. Abby was smart and was taking pictures and watching the tournament unfold. My mom, Jan Berry, was doing her best impersonation of a waitress and making sure everyone had an adult beverage, thanks mom. The tables were quickly dwindled down to 2 after a break for a little backyard BBQ with hot dogs, brats, BBQ chicken sandwiches, cole slaw, baked beans and all the fixings. Everyone enjoyed lunch and then it was back to the card action.
The tournament was beginning to unfold and quickly we were at the final table. The final table included: Ian Dunlap, Veryl Berry, Lisa Kirby, Ryan Kenny, Danny Wright, Jessica (one of the dealers who instead donated her pay and time to us, thank you), Steve Harris, Landon Harmon. With the bets increasing people were quickly being knocked out of the tournament and then there were only 3. The final 3 included Danny Wright, Ryan Kenny & Lisa Kirby. Lisa definitely had the chip advantage and she used it to finish off the tournament and walk away with a rather large pair of shoes autographed by Nene of the Denver Nuggets. She also won an autographed basketball from the Nuggets. Ryan Kenny then chose a gift basket donated by Nene's wife Lauren, which was filled with all sorts of goodies- Ipod shuffle, 3 DVD's, Ear Buds, candy and a $25 Itunes gift card. Danny then chose 4 $25 gift certificates to 4 different restaurants around town.
More to follow, including pictures and the amazing raffle which included many wonderful prizes. Thanks again to everyone, we had a great time.
With our love,
Mat and Abby
On to the day, Abby and I arrived at Blake Street around 11am, and were soon joined by our friends Lisa & Chris Kirby who are also adopting from Ethiopia. Soon we were joined by our many friends and family. People started playing corn hole while we waited for the rest of the poker players to show up for the tournament.
We were joined by: Nellie Trask, Greg Dunlap, Ian Dunlap, Mike Dunlap, John Rohner(Zilla), Sara Rohner, Steve Harris, Jordan Solla, Shanna Solla, Erin Henderson, David Truax, Landon Harmon, Brandon Grant, Joe Scott, Stephanie Collins, Meg Pullam, Yvette Berry, Ryan Kenny, Ben Harris, Kyle Chandler, Steve Brantz, Lane Rabe, Danny Wright, Jessica, Kim Brovold, Julie, Veryl Berry, Jan Berry, Greg Gomez, Eria Baliruno, Aaron Rich, Hanna (soon to be Rich), Lauren Dunlap, Luane, Joe Moore and his kiddos and a few others- sorry we didn't get your names written down.
The poker tournament started with 4 poker tables with 10-11 players at each table. Steve Brantz was unfortunately the first player out of the tournament, quickly followed by yours truly. Abby was smart and was taking pictures and watching the tournament unfold. My mom, Jan Berry, was doing her best impersonation of a waitress and making sure everyone had an adult beverage, thanks mom. The tables were quickly dwindled down to 2 after a break for a little backyard BBQ with hot dogs, brats, BBQ chicken sandwiches, cole slaw, baked beans and all the fixings. Everyone enjoyed lunch and then it was back to the card action.
The tournament was beginning to unfold and quickly we were at the final table. The final table included: Ian Dunlap, Veryl Berry, Lisa Kirby, Ryan Kenny, Danny Wright, Jessica (one of the dealers who instead donated her pay and time to us, thank you), Steve Harris, Landon Harmon. With the bets increasing people were quickly being knocked out of the tournament and then there were only 3. The final 3 included Danny Wright, Ryan Kenny & Lisa Kirby. Lisa definitely had the chip advantage and she used it to finish off the tournament and walk away with a rather large pair of shoes autographed by Nene of the Denver Nuggets. She also won an autographed basketball from the Nuggets. Ryan Kenny then chose a gift basket donated by Nene's wife Lauren, which was filled with all sorts of goodies- Ipod shuffle, 3 DVD's, Ear Buds, candy and a $25 Itunes gift card. Danny then chose 4 $25 gift certificates to 4 different restaurants around town.
More to follow, including pictures and the amazing raffle which included many wonderful prizes. Thanks again to everyone, we had a great time.
With our love,
Mat and Abby
Monday, May 16, 2011
RSVP asap- only 5 days away!!!
Join us, the Berry Family (Abby and Mat) at
2301 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80205
Saturday May 21st, 2011
12:00-5:00
Details: $30 donation towards the Berry's upcoming adoption. You will receive a food and drink ticket. The party starts at noon, food will be served from 2-4pm. Blake Street Tavern is located one block North of Coors Field. Free parking in front of the tavern and in their private parking lot.
Games: FREE POKER TOURNAMENT with PRIZES, FREE CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT with PRIZES.
Raffle tickets available for purchase with great prizes from Snooze, Denver Nuggets Memorabilia, Cantina Laredo, Starbucks gift basket, Ed Hardy bag, 3 hours of cleaning from Maid to Please, Hollywood Theatres and many more.
Poker Tournament: Capped at 150 players, the first 50 players to RSVP will receive $1,000 in extra chips. The next 50 players (51-100) to RSVP will receive $500 in extra chips. Registration will begin at noon and play will begin at 1:00pm.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Mom Book
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea!!!
I already told Mat I really want our kids to do this
and I had G to it for his Mama (nanny fam).
Weekend with The Kirby's!
This was a few weeks back (April 22nd and the 24th) I admit, but very worthy of a post.
Lisa's Birthday. Canvas and Cocktails. Easter.
Our wonderful friends, Chris and Lisa Kirby (who are also adopting from Ethiopia) spend Friday and Sunday with us. It was so much fun! Lisa and I spend a few hours at Canvas and Cocktails while Mat and Chris had a couple beers at the bar.
We had the best time ever! Then we met up with the guys...toting our paintings down the street to the bar. And went back to our place for Mesa Grill burgers and Meringues Chantilly. This was the first time I had ever made meringues.
And of course Easter. We had such wonderful food thanks to Mat and Lisa, enjoyed lots of Mimosa's and played games. It was the first Easter together and there will be many to follow- with all of the kiddos a couple years down the road.
Thanks again Chris and Lisa!
Lisa's Birthday. Canvas and Cocktails. Easter.
Our wonderful friends, Chris and Lisa Kirby (who are also adopting from Ethiopia) spend Friday and Sunday with us. It was so much fun! Lisa and I spend a few hours at Canvas and Cocktails while Mat and Chris had a couple beers at the bar.
We had the best time ever! Then we met up with the guys...toting our paintings down the street to the bar. And went back to our place for Mesa Grill burgers and Meringues Chantilly. This was the first time I had ever made meringues.
And of course Easter. We had such wonderful food thanks to Mat and Lisa, enjoyed lots of Mimosa's and played games. It was the first Easter together and there will be many to follow- with all of the kiddos a couple years down the road.
Thanks again Chris and Lisa!
Random Thought #2
How I felt on Mother's Day.
Let me back up. A year ago, we knew our kids were out there (we had just been put on the wait list), most likely already born and living in Ethiopia. We celebrated Mother's Day and Father's Day. It was happy and we said, maybe next year we will know our kiddos. But we were parents then, as we are now-even though our children are not living with us yet- some will completely understand our position and feelings, others may not.
Now to the present. Last week I received a Mother's Day card from my friend Sarah who is going to bring her little girl Bir home from Ethiopia very soon. Yay! I was so happy to get my very first Mother's Day card! I burst into happy tears. I called Sarah. It was such a good feeling.
Mother's Day. It was a strange feeling. I don't know how to describe it. I didn't want to go to church or anywhere. I just wanted to stay home. I didn't want to say Happy Mother's Day and not hear it in return. There were a few who did wish me Happy Mother's Day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have to be honest, that is important I think, to share my genuine thoughts and feelings. Besides, maybe one of you is feeling the same way at this exact moment. And then we won't feel so alone. I am normally very upbeat, positive and know when the time is right, everything will fall into place for us. As I have mentioned before, the wait is really not a problem. I think Mother's Day just triggered something in me and I was, well a bit sad. It was to be exact, bittersweet.
Lots of random thoughts
It seems like we have been so busy lately that I have not had time to write down my thoughts. That being said I have still been thinking about what I want to say on here. Just yesterday I was laying down reading (and thinking of numerous post ideas) and quickly fell into a deep sleep. Rain is surely nature's perfected lullaby.
Random thought #1
Our backyard project has undergone some serious changes. The old unsafe deck is gone and a new one is taking it's place. It is almost complete. It will have one more addition. Low maintenance ground cover of some sort to cover the remaining brown dirt and to weave and wend in between the moss rock. I think it will make everything come together nicely. Until then, here are some photos...
I will come back later to finish my other random thoughts. To include: how Mother's Day felt. The Mom Book. Updating our adoption forms since we have been on the wait list for 12 months, etc.
Random thought #1
Our backyard project has undergone some serious changes. The old unsafe deck is gone and a new one is taking it's place. It is almost complete. It will have one more addition. Low maintenance ground cover of some sort to cover the remaining brown dirt and to weave and wend in between the moss rock. I think it will make everything come together nicely. Until then, here are some photos...
I will come back later to finish my other random thoughts. To include: how Mother's Day felt. The Mom Book. Updating our adoption forms since we have been on the wait list for 12 months, etc.
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