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

Memories from the Christmas Season

As you probably can tell, by the lapse of time on our blog, we have been very busy! So I thought I should do a quick snap-shot of things we have been up to recently.

Cutting down our Christmas tree in our back woods

Jacob with his "mini" snowman (due to the lack of snow we've been getting) :P

 

Christmas concerts also kept us busy.

Mom and Dad went into court for the second time, to officially finalize our adoption.

 Here we are, going out to eat, to celebrate the two new additions of our family that have been such a blessing to us.

Then, on top of that we hosted Christmas. We had both sides of our family over for a joyous celebration.

AnaLise and our cousin, Jack

Jonas, Jenna (cousin), and Jacob =P

Mom  is a wonderful chef! 
We celebrated with sparkling pear juice.

Mama, Uncle Mike, and Grandma Pat

Our cousin Shane, Isaac,  Eric (cousin), and Lucas

 Grandma Dolores opening up gifts

Posted by Tessa

Happy Birthday, Jacob!!

Happy 10th Birthday, Jacob!!!

It's been fun to get to know his personalities over the few months.  Jacob and Jonas stick together basically all the day. Whether it be hopping in the car with "Pop" as they call him, or throwing snowballs at each other outside, or building neat machines with different odds and ends. :)

Jacob is a very sweet and sensitive boy.  Yet, when it comes to boy things like baseball, he is all boy. :D   He is very caring.  For instance, when Jonas falls down or gets hurt, he'll be right there to comfort him.  He likes to be active, so I have fun jumping on the trampoline with them or simply playing with Legos.  He is very creative, Jacob has built several bow and arrows with sticks and string.  For his birthday he received his own real bow, so he has been doing that a lot.  Outdoors is one of the things he loves to be doing.  He always tells us that he wants to hunt like Papa, which he sometimes does by going out in the woods sitting next to Dad just waiting and watching. :)  He has been such a sweet brother to me.  I love having younger siblings!

Isaac enjoys playing catch with the boys or, in this picture they built a giant snowman with the little snow we had. ;)

Mom and Jacob when we first got introduced to them in Ukraine.

Jacob and Jonas enjoyed to make "pillow forts" in our little apartment in Kiev, Ukraine. =D

Posted by Tessa