Happy 1 Year Anniversary

A year ago today we flew to Guatemala to bring Jake to his forever home! I often look back on our life a year ago and can't believe we made it through the transition!! At the time, it didn't seem unreasonable. Hectic? YES! But we were on a mission to unite our family.
I am amazed everyday at what a handsome, sweet little boy we have and I feel so incredibly blessed that somehow, from thousands of miles away, this precious peanut found his way into our family. I often think about how many times, while we were in Guatemala, a local would say to me, after realizing we were adopting him and taking him back to the U.S., "he is very lucky." It's been exactly a year having Jake as our little-BIG-boy, I know now, they had it backwards.

We love you Jakey!!

Packer's Practice

Jake and Zach anxiously waiting to leave for LAMBEAU FIELD

Grandpa! Is this really it?? The place my daddy has told me about??? Ah......Lambeau Field!! I'm sooooo excited!!

Uncle Dave and Cousin Abby hit the field

Daddy brings us inside to see the Atrium.

Thanks Daddy! This was everything you said it would be....and MORE!

Our trip to Wisconsin was complete when Pete and they boys attended a Packers practice with Grandpa and Uncle Dave and Abby. The boys loved running around chasing each other. The weather was beautiful so it made the day just perfect!

Balloon Landing

Just a quick glimpse of the Hot Air Balloon that landed in our neighbors backyard. We thought it was going to land in the field behind our house but the wind took it about 4-5 houses away.

The summer nights have been really good. Very few bugs, little to no humidity, and very happy boys playing in the yard! Visitors are always welcome...hurry before the snow comes!!!

Our Trip To The Dells (JUNE)

I have been horrible about posting lately. I will TRY..TRY...TRY my best to get caught up.

We started June off with a visit from my entire family!! Yes, the entire family!! Even my sister from Costa Rica!! It was a LONG....long visit. I love my family dearly, but 17 people in the house was a bit much!! We had a great time and managed to get away to the Dells for a couple days. Pete's family was able to join us which made it extra special!

Jake is talking up a storm and Zach is growing like a weed. They are playing so well together. We have our share of biting and fighting, but most of the time they are the best of friends!

I am staying sane by getting out with some play groups and looking into getting the boys in some activities for the Fall.

Pete just wrapped up the softball season last night. There's not much to say about how well the season went, except.....Thank goodness it's a RECREATION League!!

Who Will You Vote For In 08'

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!!!