Glasses

Jonas got glasses! He has lazy eye in his left eye. When he didn't get treatment for it in Ukraine, his mind blocked out that eye and he was unable to use it. So, we brought him to the eye doctor, and now he has glasses.

 

Posted by Tessa

Happy Birthday, Lucas!

Happy 18th Birthday Lucas!!! I miss your sweet smile and your love of nature. I miss playing chess and Othello with you...even if you almost always win! =) I miss going on bike rides with you, collecting and selling chicken eggs with you, and beating you in Ticket to ride. ;) You never cease to amaze me with all the interesting facts you know, and I will never stand a chance against you in Science! =P I hope you have a wonderful birthday...and know that we are celebrating with you across the ocean. May the Lord bless your journey into adulthood, and may you continue to seek Him with all of your heart. I love you Loons Lan!

Isaac's Birthday Post!!

It's Ize's Birthday !! Happy 20th (supper belated) Birthday!!

He has been such an awesome and inspiring brother to me. He is such a light to his college, and people can tell he is brimming with the love of Jesus. I love his wacky sense of hummor, and his knowledge of the Bible. (Sorry I haven't posted this earlier!) Some thing he enjoys are:

Playing softball

Bass

Board games

Ultimate frisbee

Snow football

Spanish

Broomball

Once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

- Tessa

Outdoor Wedding

 Here's some pictures from a wedding that we played at a couple years ago. This wedding was held at the Groom's parent's house.  We had a great time, even though it rained through part of the Ceremony. The rain got on my violin bow and it wasn't making a sound! Besides weather complications, the setting was beautiful.

Tessa

AnaLise

Lucas with his whiz-bang!

Isaac

Mom

Dad

It was a beautiful harvest-time setting.

Here we are on their deck, playing for the ceremony below.

Family photos

(Don't they look spiffy?)

Getting ready before hand. :P

Relaxing before the wedding

Mom and dad at the reception.

They had the reception at a church where we also played.

Brianna, the bride, sang a song with us.

Kicking it up with bluegrass at a wedding! =)

Posted by Tessa

Tessa's B-day post cont.

Please scroll down to the first part of this post entitled, 'Happy Birthday Tessa!!' before reading this second half, thanks!

Ahem.....that didn't work out the way I wanted to! :) I sort of forgot that the first picture you upload always has to be last, at least with our computer, and it would have looked weird to say, "Judge for yourselves on the pictures and photos I'll share with you above." Anyways, Tessa's birthday post continued! (And no, I'm not blond...:P)


Right off the bat, I'll start with six facts about Tessa.


Favorite food: Italian and Chinese


Favorite color: Blue


Favorite subject: Math


Favorite animal: Dog


Favorite season: Spring

Favorit sport: Ultimate Frisbee

In the summer Tessa enjoys gardening and taking pictures of the flowers in our yard.


She's a pretty gifted musician, and plays the Violin and Dobro as well as the Banjo

Tessa is a wonderful business partner! We sell our jewelry and various crafts at our concerts, and it's always fun to see what creative idea she's come up with next!

Tessa is definitely the early bird of the family, and how she does it ....well...ahem...let's just say I'm not a very good person to ask! Her alarm goes of promptly every morning, and because I am always to tired to climb off our loft bed and turn it off, she always has to do it, and once Tessa is up she is, (more or less,) wide awake! Believe me, I know....:P She is also the sleep walker of the family, (although I have also been found guilty before,) and because I share a room with her, I am the put-her-back-to-bed-er! She also delights me (NOT!!) by mumbling and acting out very unclear and abstract parts of her dreams in the middle of the night!

Tessa is pretty good at making people laugh, even without trying to, and is called a 'ham' by many of her friends! :) We did many plays when we were little. (Above)

When she was little, Tessa loved to pretend. We have many memories playing Little House on the Prairie together, and being that Tessa was the youngest of our foursome, she usually played Carrie, and a pretty cute Carrie at that!

Tessa is quite the crafty girl! =) She enjoys knitting, quilting, sewing, jewelery making, sketching, and card making. She has won ribbons for her quilting and knitting abilities, as well as various art projects. Recently she has picked up the hobby of drawing, and as we are taking an art class together she has come up with some remarkable sketches, especially of people.

I love you like crazy, Tessa! Happy 13th Birthday!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. -Psalm 106:1

Happy Birthday Tessa!!

Happy 13th Birthday Tessa!

As of Febuary 20th, my sweet sister Tessa is a teenager! This markes an important day for the Alzen family history.....because now, for less than a month until Ize turns 20, all four of the Alzen childern will be teenagers!

Tessa is a darling sister, and she adds so much joy to our family. Although she may seem shy at first, her smile and happy outlook on life will convince you otherwise. Judge for yourself on the photos and facts I'll share with you below about Tessa Katelyn!

Nikolai

About three weeks ago, Nikolai once again left for Ukraine. This Christmas's hosting program went even better for us, because Nickolai was used to his surroundings and it wasn't quite as bewildering for him. We loved having him with us for the festivities of the Christmas season, and he loved giving and receiving gifts! :) Nikolai picked out an adorable pair of slippers for me, and practicly glowed as I unwrapped, squealed, and thanked him for his sweet gift. He added so much to our celebrations, and was the best li'l 'Christmas gift' I could have asked for! Below are a few random and cute pictures of Nikolai.

Our little 'fish' swimming with Grandma

Nickolai adores riding on any type of boat or machine, particularly Jet skis....it was hard getting him away from them!

Nikolai's buddy

Nikolai certainly wanted to belong! He would get out his mini guitar, banjo, egg shaker, or croaking frog and diligently practice along side us. He sure brought the cute factor onto the stage! ;)

Speaking to one another in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs; singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. Giving thanks always, for all things, to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20