Summer is Here!!

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've updated the blog. Summer has finally arrived and the boys are loving it!! Every morning the first thing they do is wake up and walk to the sliding glass door to the backyard. Jake has a special place in his heart for flowers (like grandma Judy). He won't pass up a flower or weed without smelling it!

We have a very busy summer planned. I wish I could say I plan on posting more often. I actually am considering shutting down the blog. I will keep you all posted. I hope you are all enjoying the summer. We miss and love you all! Hope to see you soon!

Flossing Fun

It seems that the boys have already managed to pick up one of my many annoying habits....I am crazy about flossing!! I think it stems from having braces as a child. Is this where I get a call from Dr. Phil in about 15 years and Jake and Zach have me on stage to discuss how traumatized they were growing up with a crazy-flossing mother??? Oh gosh....the guilt begins!! LOL

Grandpa

Jake loves his Grandpa Dale! When I was in Los Angeles and Pete's parents came to visit Grandpa Dale and Jake really bonded! Last night before bed we were reading books and he grabbed a calendar that Auntie Jessie made that had a picture of Grandpa. He pointed at his picture and said, "GRANDPA"!! Pete is away on business so I was lucky to sneak in a video from my camera without Jake noticing!!

Jake's First Play Group

Jake had a wonderful time at his first playgroup. Here are pictures of his new friend Michael. Zach took an interest in in Michael's mom, Mary. As soon as he saw Mary he wanted her to carry him. Poor Mary, she held him for a good 20 minutes before we pried him from her arms. We just couldn't figure out why he was so enamored with her. He cried whenever she would put him down. This was the first time we had met Mary and her family in person. It was the funniest thing. We just couldn't quite figure it out. What was the attraction?....then...DING-DING...Pete had a thought......Mary resembles his Grandma Judy!....What do you think??? At first glance?? For those of you who know Grandma Judy, I am interested in your thoughts!

As you can see, Zach was emotionally exhausted from being torn from Mary's arms and fell asleep before he could share his Dad's Steak Escape sandwich!

The boys are doing well. Zach had his first fall at the gym daycare yesterday. He was standing on a table and he fell off. The table flipped back up in his face and gave him a bloody nose!! When I returned to pick him up an hour later, they told me what happened and I had to sign a form. I signed the form and left. When Pete came home we talked about it over dinner. When should they tell you your child is injured? BEFORE or AFTER the incident? Being "newbies" in the parent department..we aren't sure. More importantly, how do you NOT NOTICE a Toddler standing on the table?

MN Children's Museum

We took the boys to the Minnesota Children's Museum last weekend and they had a GREAT time. They could touch EVERYTHING without restrictions!!! It will be a GREAT place to come back with their cousins this summer. Jake loved pushing the shopping cart around the grocery store and putting EVERYTHING in his basket. Zach tried his Chef skills with the wok in the Asian restaurant. His grandpa would be proud!!

Today we will be going to our first play group. I met some other families who formed a playgroup for other adopted Guatemalan children to meet once a week.
The weather has been horrible, so we will be meeting at a mall!! WHAT??? Did I hear mall??? How appropriate...our first playgroup at a mall...what a beautiful thing!! I will post pictures a little later.

Spring WAS in the air.........

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY ON WEDNESDAY! We couldn't ask for better weather. We spent the entire day outside. The boys were exhausted and so was mommy!

Today is NOTHING like Wednesday. I am still having a hard time getting use to beautiful sunny days followed by rain showers...sometimes the same day! Rain in the summer months??? Who knew?? I guess that's how the Midwest keeps everything so green and pretty! I must say, I was pleasantly surprised that only one month ago the snow finally melted and the grass was brown and ugly! Today, the grass is already beautiful and green.

We will be patiently waiting for the storm to pass. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Today we are off the the Mall of America to get out of the house......POOR DADDY! He too will hope and pray for sunny days ahead to keep mommy out of the mall!!

Our Hoopsters!

We set up the boys basketball hoop in the basement last weekend from Uncle Dave and Auntie Jeni. They had a blast! It was fun to watch and think about all the games we will be attending in the future!! Our little Point Guard and Center will be practicing their skills for future games against Daddy and Uncle Dave!!

Easter Pics

Easter was wonderful! The boys really had a good time hunting for Easter eggs. We decided to hide them in the park behind my sister's condo. It was perfect! I'm not sure if they put more eggs in their basket or tanbark! The day basically consisted of eating....talking...and more eating!! What else do you do when you get together with friends and family????

Girls Weekend

Tomorrow I leave for Los Angeles for a girls trip. 4 days alone without the kids. I've never been away from both boys so the trip is bittersweet. I know I will have a great time but I will miss them dearly!

My girlfriend Melissa moved from Hermosa Beach to the burbs to have a baby. We are excited to spend time shopping, drinking coffee and hanging out at the beach. The weather forecast is in the high 70's low 80's. Minnesota weather is forecasting for snow....AGAIN...so the timing is GREAT!

Grandma and Grandpa Eichhorst are coming for a long weekend to help Pete with the boys. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! You are lifesavers! I really appreciate it and I know Daddy does too!

Have a great weekend!!

Hanging with the BIG KIDS!

Jake is placing bets on the Final Four!

WOW!! This big bell makes LOTS of noise!

Corbin and Zach

Are you sure I'm too young for you Alexis??


The boys had a blast hanging out with Corbin and Alexis (my best friend Carla's kids) during our visit to California! . The first couple of days at home they were looking around for Grandpa, Aunties, Uncles and Cousins. NOTHING but boring ol' Mom!!!

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.