Jaxon's First Day of School

Well it is official - Jaxon is in fifth grade (can he really be that old already?). We had our first day on Monday that included a convocation service. It is always great to be able to start the year off with prayer and a focus on God. He was excited when he got home about his new teacher, who is also new to the school, and thought she was pretty great. He reluctantly took these pictures for me - but I guess I will have to fight him until he is in 9th grade to take a picture by the sign - which I have deemed our first day of school tradition. He had some homework last night but he was very willing to do it which was nice for a change. Now we will just have to work on violin practice this week too!!!

It is amazing to see these pictures over the years and how much taller he has gotten each year by the sign.

Jaxon and Ms. Jouwstra

Jaxon at his desk getting organized (I think he glared at me after this one - I did quietly leave)

Chicago Fun

This past weekend we were able to meet up with some families that we met in Ethiopia when we were all there picking up our kids. One family is from the Cincinnati area and one is from the Indianapolis area. It was so great to see them again - as one of them is Lenny's long lost twin separated at birth (it is really scary how much they are alike). It was amazing to see how much the kids have grown since January and to meet everyone's other kids. To top the weekend off Lenny's Aunt and Uncle came from Michigan to meet us. We even got to meet little Sophia! It was a great weekend. Now off to the part of the trip that I don't like - unpacking and laundry.

The whole crew

The three roommates reunited

Little Miss Tseganesh

Landry and Sydney checking out the fountain

Jaxon checking out how old he would be in sea plant life years (actually I can't remember what the sign said so I might of just made that up)

The kids (except some random child in the left hand corner) checking out the touch aquarium

Lydia checking out how soft Tseganesh's blanket is....

Yep good enough to take away

Lydia and Tseganesh discussing hair secrets (really Tseganesh is saying how did you end up with those loose curls)

Oh how cute little Sitota is - aka Tseganesh's squealing twin (it was really hard to tell them apart when they did their little squeal that we are convinced they taught them in the care center)

Gail, Britt, Sharon, Sarah, Bob and Joel sitting around the pool area (watching Lenny and kids swimming)

Landry and little Sophia

Two goofs on the bridge

Lake Fun

Here are some pictures of the family at Lake Andrew with Lenny's family. Jaxon is not appearing in hardly any pictures due to him hiding every time he saw me with the camera. (I guess it is part of being 10)

But he will do anything for his cousin Carter

Here he is avoiding the camera behind his knee board

Landry wasn't sure about the water trampoline until Jaxon convinced her it was just like Lucas and Kalley's - then we couldn't get her off of it!

Making us some dessert

Giving Aunt Kat and great new hairstyle

Having fun with Carter

Loving the water even though it was really cold

That tongue just must hang out

So tired - we didn't know where she went and then we found her next to the wall laying on this blanket sleeping.

Hanging out with Daddy and hoping to get a sip of that Coke

A picture from our boat ride after a light rain - it was a beautiful and peaceful - night until the girls starting screaming.

6 months home

Well it is hard to believe that we have been home for 6 months. It seems that Tseganesh has always been here. She continues to grow and amaze us. Here are some recent pictures of her.

Here is one of her favorite things to do...play in water (including the toilet)

Our little beach babe!

Playing peek a boo

Just chillin

Oh what my big sister gets me to do

My three little blessings!

MN Zoo

My friend Liz beat me to it - so I better get these pictures up from our day at the MN Zoo. It was a great day with the older two - Tseganesh got to stay with Grandma all day. I felt so guilty leaving her home as they had a pretty cool Africa exhibit. But when we were there I was glad that she was comfortable at home as it got pretty hot. Liz and I should of bought new t-shirts as we were pretty sweaty. Here are some pictures from the day.

Jaxon and Landry on the bridge overlooking the turles.

Landry, Jaxon and Henry discussing what is next on the agenda.

Little cuties - Henry and Landry

Jaxon helping Henry get a better view.

Jaxon feeding the giraffe - definitely was his highlight of the day.

Landry was a little more cautious of the big animal.

This is got to be one of my favorite pictures. She didn't want to stand with her back to him but after some convincing she did - but as soon as I snapped the picture she was out of there. I love that the giraffe looks like her is going to lick the side of her face and her expression is hilarious.

Poor Henry trying to cool off - he was trying to eat it as fast as he could but it was so hot it was melting pretty fast.

Just like mommy - an avid photographer. (she used the first aid kit to take pictures with)

Landry and Henry enjoying their suckers while Jaxon is probably trying to not get touch by sticky little hands.

Little League Champs!!!

Here are some pics from the Little League Playoff game with a 24-23 win over BOLD. It was a nail biter with some interesting moments but they pulled it off in the end.

Jaxon throwing to first to get an out!

Calling Coach Derrick (who was sick that day) to let him know they won!

Team picture

Running the bases to celebrate!

Introducing....the newest violin player!

Here is our newest violin player in the house.  Yes, it is the littlest violin I have ever seen - it is so cute.  She has had three lessons now and is doing so well.  Actually I am shocked how well she has done and how much she loves to practice (I know that won't last!)  But I will enjoy it while it lasts.  She has learned how to stand properly, hold the bow (which is actually pretty hard), bow, clap 4 rhythms and play one rhythm on the violin.  Well, hopefully we will post a video soon when she learns "Twinkle".