Last Sunday...

This Past Sunday the Carlson family Opened their home to us.
We enjoyed delicious food, learning new games and just getting to know the Carlson family
a little better.

I Lost My First Tooth!!

Easter 2007

Here are a few pictures from Easter morning ...

Sisters in new dresses and BIG smiles.

Anna Vonholten, Joanna Erber, and Raeanne Carlson
blessing the church with music

Breakfast

Grandpa's 76 Birthday

Last Saturday we went over to Grandpa and Grandma Strand's house to celebrate
Grandpa's 76th birthday and Easter.

It was also a good time for the younger kids who enjoyed playing with their cousins, and eating
Grandpa's traditional birthday cake.

We took them to Court !

Last Wednesday we finally finished the last step in what has been a long two year journey to adopt the
three youngest, Eleanor, Erik, and Maggie. We have been through much and I believe grown as a family
in many more ways than one.

Our appointment with the judge was scheduled for 2:50 in the afternoon, a very cold and windy afternoon.
The Erbers and Yens came over to our house about 1:45, and around 2:00 o'clock we where on the road.
After a 20 to 25 min. drive, we all piled out and got into the court house as quick as we could.

After going through security up four flights of stairs, and through a few doors
we where in the hallway out side the courtroom, where we met Grandpa and Grandma Strand
the court session all where running about 10 minutes behind. But after waiting we all went in and sat down,
and all the proper legal things where said and done. It all went pretty smoothly except there was a
piece of paper that went missing somewhere between the time when we filled it out and when it was put on
the judges desk.

When all we got home, we eat dinner and sat around and chatted while some of the boys went out and had a
war of cornstalks. ( fun for those who wish to partake in such a sport, and a lot of fun for those who are watching:)
Grandpa and Grandma left about 6:30 and everyone else after 7:30.
Although this was the end of all the legal part of the adoption. It is not the end, Merely the end of the beginning. We look forward to what God has in store for our family.

Christmas in March...

In the past years our family goes to my Aunt's house to celebrate what is known as "Pawpaw Christmas".
This past year however we where not able to get together with my Aunt and her family, but instead

we where able to host Pawpaw and Grandma at our home. Beside exchanging Christmas gifts,
they where able to meet the three latest additions to our family... and partake of the

many carefully prepared meals that Eleanor and Maggie made them withe Maggie's new
kitchen (complete with cell phone and dishwasher) and play food.

Although the weather was very cold, inside our house was nice and warm, and smiles
and laughter was abundant.