HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Where has the year gone??? It seems like yesterday that Pete and I were eating lunch in Sacramento on New Years Eve and had a wild idea to fly to Los Angeles for the night to bring in 2007.....Of course, I thought he was crazy but he quickly reminded me that it would be our last New Years (for a while) to just pick up and fly out the same day without any plans.....
WELL, the year has flown by and YES....he was right!! We have quickly become a family of FOUR!!
2007 will always be a special year for us. We can not imagine our lives without Jake and Zach. We are extremely grateful and very blessed to have them in our life. We look forward to 2008 and creating more memories!

Pete takes his turn at a little fun!

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Not only did Jake and Zach enjoy the snow but Daddy as well. Pete has become the hit of the neighborhood with the kids. They come to the door and ask if he can come out and play.
Pete, Sabrina and Aiden having a little fun in the backyard.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MINNESOTA!

WHAT AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS! This Christmas was extra special not only because it was Jake and Zach's first Christmas but because my family was able to come out and spend the holiday with us! The snow began to fall just as we sat down to open gifts! It was our first White Christmas as a family and we loved it!!

Winter Has Officially Arrived!

December 1st was the first day of snow this year! It made it feel a lot more like Christmas. Forecasts say more snow to come so maybe Santa will bring snow this year on Christmas Day.

Food, Food and More Food

Jake is showing his love for his new favorite.....corn pudding!

Happy 1st Birthday Jacob

Never forget for a single minute-
You didn't grow under my heart,
But in it.


A year ago today, our son was born in Guatemala. And a year ago today, a very special woman gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
Today, we reflect and give thanks to two wonderful women in Jacob's life. First, his birthmother, who we will be forever grateful to for giving us the most precious gift in helping us create our family. The second is to the amazing Foster Mother who cared for and loved Jacob the first 8 months of his life.
Each year, on Jake's birthday- we plan to light a candle of remembrance and honor. We pray that (Sandra) the woman who gave our son life will find peace in her heart and somehow know how very very much our Jake is loved~
Happy Birthday Jake- We love you VERY much!
Mommy and Daddy


The Gift of Life
(author unknown)
*
I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
*
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true.
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life.
Life gave me the gift of you~

Happy Thanksgiving

Grandma Judy and Grandpa Dale with all the grandchildren!

Auntie Jessica spoiling Jake

Zach having conversation with Grandma Judy

Cousins Zachary, Tara, Tori and Kailynn

Jenni and baby Abby


This year we are especially thankful for our two blessings, Zachary and Jacob. 2007 is coming to a close but it will be a year to remember! The two boys have brought amazing joy to us and for that we are grateful! We have both imagined this moment in our lives and now we are living our dream!!
We spent Thanksgiving here in Minnesota with Pete's entire family. It was the first time the entire family was together with all the grandchildren. The holidays are about family and that's exactly what we did. Eat and enjoy our family!!

Cat and Mouse

The boys are getting along so well!! They love to play cat and mouse! The laughter is the best sound!

Giggles

This is one of my favorite videos! The boys are getting along so well!! I just love to hear them laugh!

Happy Halloween!

We had a WONDERFUL Halloween with the boys! Jacob loved passing out candy and posing for pictures!!

Happy 11 mos B-Day

It's hard to believe Jake is 11 mos old!

Jake's crawling and standing

JAKE ON THE LEFT AND ZACH ON THE RIGHT

LOOK MOM....I CAN CRAWL!!

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY DAD........WATCH ME GO!

LOOK HOW FAST I CAN GO MOMMY!!

JAKE HAS BEEN HOME FOR 6 WEEKS NOW AND HE IS THRIVING IN HIS NEW ENVIROMENT!! HE WATCHES HIS LITTLE BROTHER'S EVERY MOVE.... EVEN THE NAUGHTY THINGS!!

The Move

Welcome to Minneapolis/St.Paul!!!
We made it!!
Zach helps unpack some bags
The boys take a break from unpacking!!

BROTHERS

Jake and Zach meet for the first time!
Our first family picture!! FINALLY
After traveling for over 15 hours......the first feeding!!
It didn't take them long to bond!

The Long Flight Home

Mommy and Jake waiting for their plane from Guatemala to LAX
Jake's first plane ride!
Goodbye Guatemala

Homeward Bound

This was the picture of the sunrise as we landed in Guatemala.

Jake and his daddy - our pick up meeting
Our family!! Finally united!
Jake officially receives his VISA to travel and his passport!!

Our last day in Guatemala

Daddy reads to Jake
Jake eats the infamous Pollo Campero!!
MORE PLEASE!!!
A few giggles before bedtime!
Our last night in Guatemala.

Jacob is coming home!!

 

 

 

We have wonderful news.....Jacob will be home in August!!!
We received word from our adoption agency that we will be traveling to Guatemala mid August to pick up Jacob!! We are extremely excited to have Jacob meet his brother Zach for the first time!!