Welcome Tamenech

Today we drove down to Hartford, CT to greet a new member of the Laughner family. Tamenech is safely home with her new family. It is always a great joy to see the Laughners and we are so happy for them. Four adults and NINE kiddos.

Tamenech warmed up to us quickly and was running around the airport with all the kids and with balloons in her hands.

A new coat for the good New England weather is a must and it was a big hit.

Welcome home Tamenech!

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Both of our families live overseas so we get to spend Thanksgiving with our dear friends.

I cannot believe this is our third Thanksgiving with the Laughner's. They are in process of adopting again and are waiting for final court approval.

Our kids play so well together. Well, these three are always up to something.

This is a big milestone for Jo. The first year we had Jordan she would not hug Lori. Now she runs up to her and it makes all of us smile and feeling very blessed to have both her and Daniel in our lives (and all of our kiddos).

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!!!

Another day with friends

I am a week behind on posting another blog entry.

Anyway last Saturday we spent a beautiful day with our dear friends the Laughner's. It is amazing to watch how much our kids changed the last few years. Two years ago Jo did not want anything to do with anybody. Look at her now best friends with Lori.

Dad's on lifeguard duty.

The kids spent close to 4 hours nonstop in the pool.

Well they did get out to jump right back in.

These two are a blessing in our lives. It just warms your heart how happy they are and how well they fit into our families.

Thanksgiving week in pictures

We started Thanksgiving last Saturday by celebrating with our good friends the Laughner's. I do not know what I was thinking about taking a picture of the kids at the end of the day. You can see they got their bellies full and spent most of the time playing outside (that explains Nate's green knees). We had a great time.

I did not take any pictures of the turkey this year but can tell you it was good. The only picture I took of any type of food is this one. We celebrated Thanksgiving Day with our friends from church this Thursday (total of 24 people) with lots of yummy food and great fellowship.

And we ended this crazy week by decorating the house for Christmas including a Christmas tree. I had tons of helpers.

The girls did a great job now if I only can keep their little hands off the tree.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Branson - Monday

I am still trying to process the whole Branson trip. I have never been to a reunion before. I came home tired (very tired). Do not get me wrong it was an amazing trip in so many ways. It is sometimes hard to explain to people who have never experienced a reunion with people you have never met. We've known many of these families for such a long time yet we never met face to face. I felt like I was seeing old friends and meeting many new ones. I wish I could put it into words what we experienced this week but somehow I cannot find them.

We got together with the remaining families for lunch on Monday at a park so the kids got their energy out.

It was fun to see the Laughner's family again (cannot wait to see you soon).

(with Brady in the picture)

Kari, Zoie and Kari's dad.

moms

dads

After lunch we ended up at a little water park next to the playground. It was the perfect place for us to relax and the kids have fun.

And for dinner we got together with some families at Danna's BBQ.

Since it says 'photo spot' the boys wanted a picture there.

So did Emma (with a bloody nose) however Jo was not interested.

I hope we will get to do this again.

Just in case you haven't noticed we had uncle Vit with us. He was a huge help with the kids and we cannot thank him enough.

Fun at the Beach

We made it to the beach again. We almost cancelled and went to Boston as it rained all night and we thought it would rain during the day. When we found out it would clear up in the afternoon we decided to stick with our original plan and go anyway. We got to spent some time with our good friend the Laughners.

I believe it is safe to say that the boys spent most of the time in the water.

Do not listen to Fil who will tell you that the water was actually warm today (64F). It was not. We have been living here too long and are getting used to the cold temperatures:)

She knows she is stinkin cute.

And so does she.

Well Nate is cute in his own special way.

I have no idea what's up with my kids and sand. They just love feeling it and they will get it all over their body each time we are at the beach.

We played a little bit of Frisbee and I will admit that I have no skill when it comes to this sport.

Jo had sand everywhere and I am going to leave it at that.

Emma and Alison having a great old time.

We had a perfect day.

Emma and Daniel.

Mommy and her girls.

I am sure the boys will have "wavy" dreams tonight.

There is something about the ocean.

And a kiss good night.