I'm heading to Ethiopia today for three months, so Emily and I decided to start a blog. Although there will be frequent updates about my Ethiopian adventures on here Emily will also be contributing from home to keep everyone posted as she tries to survive alone!

Soon I'll be filling you in with details about Ethiopia, but first a post on Emily's fall birthday.

Today Emily is 23! Happy Birthday! She's very lucky to have started the day with a cannoli and cappuccino, what else could someone want!?  Perhaps for me not to be leaving for 3 months on her birthday....that's understandable of course. Yesterday we had a fantastic day with our family and friends.

We had a lovely day starting with a picnic at the apple orchard! Luckily the weather held up nicely and we were able to wander around the sculpture garden where Emily and Grammy saw two young bobcats! We then went to the vineyard for a lovely wine tasting before heading back to the house for some lamb tacos and carrot cake.

Off to do some final packing! Emily and I are thrilled to go to Ten Tables tonight for dinner prior to my departure for a last birthday/sendoff celebration! It will take me a few days to get set up in Ethiopia but I'll post soon! 

Love,

Mark and Emily