Family photos

I finally got all of our new family photos uploaded on this post! :) This is our first photo shoot with the boys. They're taken in Biwabik MN, at Storybook camp. We go there twice a year for our church family camp, and the T.E.A.C.H retreat. So we thought it would be a fun idea to take them up there. Thanks to Meagan Wanschura who did a great job on these pictures! Visit her blog http://www.meaganwanschura.com/ to find more information about her photography.

Enjoy!

 

Posted by Tessa

Georgia Relatives

We have relatives from Georgia that came up to meet Jacob and Jonas, and for us to meet their two-year-old, Charlie. Charlie's dad, Nick is my dad's nephew.   Our house was full of life with a two year old, Mr. Energetic, in our house!

 Here's some pictures from their visit:

Jonas with his huge tower...he didn't have any trouble grinning in those pictures!

Nick and Jacob

We played a little bit of football. Here we are high fiving Charlie for his touchdown :)

Grandpa and Grandma took everyone out to eat at the end of the visit

Carly (Nick's wife who is pregnant with a girl :D), AnaLise, Grandma, Mom, and I

Big smiles!

Posted by Tessa

Catching up on the Alzen Family =)

After completing our adoption of Jacob and Jonas about a month ago, (you can read all about that process @ http://www.alzenadoption.blogspot.com/,) we have been so busy adjusting back to our regular and busy lifestyle, that I thought I would share some of the things we have been up to.

 

Fishing!! One of the boys' favorite hobbies.

Canoe Race

Tubing

Family Reunions

Tis the summer for weddings!

On the mini train at Lake Itasca music festival

Jonas, zipped up in Isaac's bass case!

Up to the cabin with the Godins :)

A few weeks ago we went up north to a friends cabin, who have been a big part of our adoption. Another family went up to join us for a day, we went to their cabin for a day also. We had a blast enjoying the beautiful cabin, swimming, fishing, badmitten, pool, board games, and tubing. Here's some pictures of us kids having a great time!

Jacob and Jonas fishing

We brought our fishing boat up. The cabin had a pontoon boat and a speed boat which we definatly put into use!

Here's Isaac concentrating on a shot of one of the many games of pool in the garage....including some crazy games of "crud" that Amanda taught us... super CRAZY!!

Jacob, Lucas, and Josiah on the tube

We had some great sunny days there :)

Riding the waves

Tyler, Ryan and Isaac...

Speeding on the wake...

And doing some stunts. :P

Jonas on the speed boat

Beach Volleyball.  AnaLise, Emily and myself

Jonas and Jacob getting dirty

Josiah and Jacob in the hot tub

Jonas and Abby - aren't they cuties?!!

Isaac and Tyler...lol

Hot Tub Fun

Yes, we had a nice time! =D

(Thanks to Amanda who took all the awesome pictures above!)

Posted by Tessa

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