Florida

So I thought I should update everyone about what's been happening in this VERY busy home. ;)  Thanks to Christmas break I've had time!! (I know...excuses excuses...) =P  One thing that was a big highlight, was Florida!  We spent a week down there enjoying our family vacation time. :)  

The first half of our visit was spent in Venice, relaxing in the sun...and well simply enjoying a time to take a break and enjoy the scenery.  The last few days we spent in Orlando...being "typical tourists". ;)

Here are some pictures from our time spent there...we're so glad God made this work out! :)

Jonas and Isaac...the sand castle experts! ;)

Shark's teeth hunting...at the end of our trip we found a total of 140! 

We saw quite a few exotic birds.

Lucas...the "rock explorer" lol =)

Jonas and "Papa" :)

We took a boat tour at a Natural Reserve

If you look closely...there's an alligator in the water

Jonas doing his "Sea World" song/dance :)

While in Orlando, we went to Sea World, as well as the Disney parks.  See what I meant by "typical tourists"?! =P

Inside one of the shows

Lucas found an...emm emm...let's just say an interesting buddy =P

Dad and the boys went ocean fishing....and brought back some delicious fish for us to eat!

This picture made me laugh =P

Very intense players lol

A picture of a picture...inside one of the rides at Magic Kingdom  =P

"King of the mountain" ;)

Some zebras we saw on the safari tour at Animal Kingdom

Pictures at the airport...=)

Nice one Ize =P

Me, being really weird...lol =P

Yeah....really weird!!

Ok...at least I'm not the only weird one!!

Pay attention to the signs...lol =P

That's it for our Florida experience...=)

Hopefully I'll blog more soon!

Posted by Tessa

Family Camp 2012!!

We spent last week at a homeschool family camp in Iowa.  It was hosted by the Bontrager and Wissmann families.  (I think I posted about it last year too.)  We had a really fun time fellowshipping with other like-minded families. We highly recommend it for any of you homeschool families.  If you are interested, just click on this website:  www.homeschoolfamilycamp.com

 

 

Thanks to Mr. Witzenburg for talking a few of these pictures!

 

 

Hannah W, myself and AnaLise

 

Some activities we did were: floor hockey, around-the-world-ping pong, and tons of volleyball! The boys made life-sized cardboard boats, they actually put themselves in the boats on a lake and had a race! (Somehow I ended up in our boat with Jacob...my "claim to fame" is...we didn't sink!) haha Another game they played was the annual, mighty mighty scoop noodle challenge.. a family favorite. ;) The girls' projects were making the family flag for their boat and making hair flowers.

 

 

We played a short set of music for one of the evening sessions. (It was weird playing without Isaac who was busy at college, but thanks to Carson B. we were able to have bass on one of the songs.) :)

 

 

Here's a picture with Susanna R, from Texas.

 

 

 

 

;D

 

For some of the sessions they asked for volunteers for the object lessons.  Lucas volunteered and ended up running a mini race with his upper legs duct-tapped, and wearing a back-pack with weights inside! The message was demonstrating how it is difficult to run the Christian race if we are entangled with the weight of sin. (Heb. 12)

Posted by Tessa

BEHOLD, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth, bless you from Zion!

 

~ Psalm 134: 1-3 ~

 

Posted by Tessa

More Birthdays

Since AnaLise posted about my birthday, I thought I would post about the Spring/Summer birthdays including: Jonas, Dad, Mom, Isaac and Lucas. 

First I'll post about our cute comedian, random joker, little stinker, and smiley and enthusiastic boy...in other words JONAS!!             

I love you Honka!

Have a Happy Birthday, Jonas!

Now I'll do Dad and Mom, who have been such amazing parents! 

You guys are such incredible examples, I love you both SO much! <3 p="">

In addition to both of their birthdays, it recently was their anniversary.  Thank you for your love and commitment Dad and Mom!

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!

Isaac

(In the picture above Isaac is running the Tough Mudder...let's just say, a very difficult obstacle course that involves mud. ..As the picture proves!)

You are such an awesome brother! Now you are an even more "official" adult. ;)

Happy 21st Birthday, Isaac!

(This photo was taken in Spain at a soccer stadium.  Lucas and Isaac went there to visit our exchange student, Samuel while the rest of us were in Ukraine, adopting Jacob and Jonas.)

Lucas is 19!

Time has gone by SO fast...I can't believe that he's 19!

Lucas is such a nature lover...(and I think he's secretly a mad scientist!) :D  Lucas is a sensitive and loving brother.  I am so grateful for you, Lunes!

Happy Birthday, Everyone!

Posted by Tessa

Happy 14th Birthday Tessa!

Looking back at the blog, I realized that there was never a post of Tessa's 14th birthday back in February.


                                                   

So in honor of her belated b-day, I thought I'd post this pic and tell you a couple of interesting things about her. =)

 Favorite...

Color: Blue

Food: Chinese and Italian

Sport: Volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee

Song: Indescribable (by Laura Story)

Band: Steep Canon Rangers, Allison Krauss, and Dailey and Vincent

Desert: Banana Cream Pie Ice Cream Cake (from DQ) ;)

Bible verse: Psalm 103: 2-4

Movie: Courageous

Book: They Loved To Laugh


Posted by AnaLise

A Sweet Memory

It has been so neat to see Jonas' sweet 'little boy' personality come alive.  Many orphans think they need to be the 'tough guy' at their orphanage for survival.  So now it's great to see him starting to open up, and have more little boy time, playing with stuffed animals, cars...etc.

Today he gave Mama a bouquet of dandelions. :)  It's such a blessing to have such a sweet little brother!

Posted by Tessa

Sweet 16!!!

Happy Birthday AnaLise!!!

Just thought I'd like to write a little note, recognizing her birthday...  On New Year's Eve was Ana's 16th birthday! (I know, I am extremely behind!)

Anz is an awesome sister and best friend to me. :) She has been a wonderful role-model also. 

Happy Birthday!

- Tessa

Ski Trip to Lutsen

We recently had the chance to go to the Lutsen Ski Resort with our our church group. The ski hills were awesome, It was definitely a step up compared to the smaller ski resorts we've skied at: Afton, Trollhaugen, Spirit Mountain, and Giants Ridge. It was the first time skiing for the boys. They did really well, and we definitely had a blast!

On the way up, we went bowling, which was also a first for the boys.

Ari, Me, and Meagan

Most of the skiers

We stayed at an AmericInn that was about 20 min. away from Lutsen.

After we got back from skiing, we played lots of games.

After our last day of skiing, we went to an adorable little pizza place called Sven and Ollie's.

Top: Mrs. Wanschura, Mom, Lucas, Jacob, Jonas, Dad, and Mrs. Ostby

Me, Jesse, AnaLise, Daniel, Bill, Meagan, Christina, Nikia, Ari, Amanda, and Hannah

Lucas, Rob, Isaac, Dan, Phil, Jarek, and Dan