Jake's New Vacuum

Jake is mommy's big helper. He gets his own diapers when he needs to be changed and loves to help clean the house! We found an very inexpensive vacuum that he just loves! If we could only find one that actually picks up dirt we would be in business!!!

Best Friends

Jake received a truck for Christmas from his Aunt Tess and Uncle Brian. It is one of their favorite toys now. They are really learning to play with one another. They take turns pushing but Jake gets the short end of the stick because Zach doesn't push him too long...and if he does...he usually pushes him into a wall!!

California Here We Come!.

The timing couldn't be any better!!! When we woke up to prepare for our trip to California we noticed another 4 inches of snow had dropped!
For the first time since we moved to Minneapolis, I was happy to see the snow. Not because it was really pretty....but because we were leaving for sunny 70 degrees!!
We look forward to visiting with friends and family for two weeks. I will post more pictures soon!

When can we go out and play??

Last week I took this sweet picture of Jake. He was gazing outside the window to the backyard. His expression says it all. He wants soooooo badly to go out and play. Today it finally reached 50 degrees!! YIPPPPEEEEE!! I called Pete at work to share the wonderful news. It was time for celebration....time to dust off the BBQ and make some burgers! Hopefully this is the sign of good things to come...warm weather, BBQ's with friends and family and lots of playing outside!! I hope the weather keeps up.

We are heading to California for Easter to spend time with my family and soak up the sunshine. Hopefully, when we return, the weather forecast will be warm and sunny.
Have a Happy Easter!!

3 Silly Boys

I thought I would share an evening at the Eichhorst House. This is an example of what you might see if you were looking into our house just before bedtime. When the boys are fussy or just feeling silly we try to make a game out of changing into their pajamas. On this particular night, they found it hysterical to see their pants on their head! I love to stop and imagine looking at life through their eyes.....take a moment today and laugh at yourself!

FLU

WOW!! What day is it?? We have all been sick with the nasty flu! Both boys and eventually me and Pete. I must give my wonderful husband credit. We were a nasty, crabby bunch for a couple weeks and he was a CHAMP!! Luckily, Pete dosed up on the Vitamin C and only had the "flu symptoms" for a day. For me and the boys it just lingered for weeks!
I am happy to report that we are all on the road to recovery!!I will be back to post later in the week. I hope you are all staying well and WARM...

Happy Birthday Sophia Grace!!

NOW
THEN

Jacob and Zachary's girlfriend, Sophia, lives in California. Her mom and dad are our good friends Michael and Reyna. Sophia and Zachary ironically are 3 days apart.
Today Sophia turns 1!! We wish we could be there to celebrate with her but we are thinking of her today and are with her in spirit. Happy Birthday Baby Sophers!! We love you!

Our Wisconsin Trip

We had a wonderful trip back to Wisconsin to visit Pete's family and attend his cousin Lisa and Geoff's wedding reception. WE HAD A BLAST!! We got to celebrate the marriage of Geoff and Lisa and watch The Packer game with friends and family.

Mommy's Big Helper

This morning while I was doing the dishes, it seemed too quiet. I looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see Jake cleaning and Zach supervising. Now, if I could only get them to do windows!!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Nina

Today is the birthday of Jake and Zach's maternal grandma Nina. Unfortunately, they never had the opportunity to meet her but will get to know her over the years through pictures, videos and endless funny stories told at home and family events. Grandma Nina is known for her amazing sense of humor and her zest for life! We will continue her legacy with Jake and Zach as we teach them to laugh and love life to the fullest! We know she is smiling down on us and happy to see that our family is now complete!! WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU GRANDMA!

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!!