Clouds & Katie

Birthday week continued for Katie - she had at least 2 or 3 more times this week to celebrate her birthday - each time being very pleased to announce that it was once again "Katies Birthday".

Today - she decided it was fun to wear a bicycle helmet - while eating pizza for supper. She kept saying - "Katie so pretty" - yes you are . . .



Getting it off at bedtime was a bit of a challenge. . .

On Friday morning - some powerful storms rolled through the area -


Some strong winds, much needed rain, a little bit of hail and some really cool looking clouds was the extent of the storm.

Birthday Girl!

 

Our little Princess Katie finally celebrates her birthday!  (after enduring and crying  through the birthdays of all her siblings and parents in the last 9 months!)

 

 

What a tremendous blessing to be able to have a party and cake for our little sweetheart!   Just like at Emie’s birthday, I was struck with emotion at the fact that neither have ever had a party, gifts or cake…in fact, at the orphanage, I’m sure that their birthday was like any other day of the year.  In an orphanage, children  keep getting older but nobody cares.   But…not anymore for our little girls! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katie wanted a kitty cake and that is what she got!  It was a special day and she swelled with pride every time she reminded us that it was “Katie’s Birthday”.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Katie!!!

 

(and now for anyone astute enough to notice Katies’ hair is a different length……stay tuned for a blog post on that!)

Fourth of July

Three sisters - and two celebrating their first Fourth of July in the US! We are doing lots of reminiscing - as it is almost a year ago since we left for Ukraine.

Before we get to the Fourth of July - the 10 most interesting highlights since the last post (ok - most are probably not that interesting - but they are the most newsworthy for us).

1. Sam lost a tooth - he is now officially 'toothless' in front.
2. Andrew has not yet cut his hair - almost 1 year
3. Sam had a grand time in Iowa with Nana & Poppa & Cousins
4. The twins had a great week at camp in Iowa and also the week after in Sioux Falls
5. We have had strep throat - at least 5 of us.
6. David is back in Wisconsin staying with Auntie K for 2 weeks.
7. Sam caught a frog - named it Dexter and is supplying it with flies to eat.
8. We got our fence put up
9. We have had Wahpeton visitors stay overnight - thanks for coming after Valley Fair
10. We have paid our first monthly mortgage - only 359 to go!!!

The Fourth of July was spent up in the northwoods -

Daniel & Annie waiting for natures fireworks (bonfire)

We don't do little fires
(at least when the forest is really green we don't)

Andrew

Mr Sam my four wheeling man -who believes Sam can drive a four wheeler? What you don't see is that he is carrying a garbage can on a small trailer and the really expert drivers can get the can all the way back to the cabin from the garbage dumpster without dumping - and Sam can do it! - just like a pro!

We celebrated with a cake made by Daniel - our "Ace of Cakes"


And a good safe time was had by all - we hope you and yours also had a very good Fourth of July!