Stephen's Second Soccer Game and more

A proud mom over here - Stephen scored 3 goals tonight in his second soccer game. I think he takes after his father! The part I liked to see the most was how he cheered just as much for the other kids' goals as he did for his own! He even learned about "kicking it to the other team after they get hurt" - sportsmanship!
Many thanks to Pake and Beppe for watching all 4 kids today so I could go to London and visit my friend and her new, tiny baby. It was good to be able to visit without kids! Please pray for them as they have a long road ahead.

First time to school and first soccer game.

Stephen went to school for the day to meet his future classmates. He had a great time and his favourite part was doing high jump.

Here is Stephen in his first soccer game. I totally forgot his black shorts! BUT I did remember everything else. And Daddy, he looks like a mini you on the field!

Silas and Esther have been real troopers to go with us to practices and games. I am getting a lot of use out of my new stroller too!

Indoor Soccer

Gotta love jumping jacks.

Stretching is important...

So is circle time to get instructions.

We enrolled the oldest two in a 4 week indoor soccer program before we found out we were staying. Driving 30 minutes once a week is not my idea of fun, especially when one child does NOT want to participate.

Mom and the kids

Just so everyone knows, Jono left on Saturday for Nigeria. We are holding down the fort without him. Day #3 and all is well so far. Kids have been playing with their "new" car and with stickers from Aunt Nancy. This afternoon Samuel is off to the ENT to have his hearing and tonsils checked out. Please pray with me that he handles be poked and looked at well. Until next time, Janice.

A special ride with Opa.

Samuel going for a ride.

Stephen going for a ride.

Easter

The oldest cousins. Notice a theme??

Dying eggs with Aunt Theresa being the teacher.

Esther laying out with Joshua.

Stephen hunting for his eggs.

Samuel searching for his.
Silas slept through the festivities so Daddy found his eggs.

BC trip

Esther on her first plane ride.

Jono, Esther and I spent almost 2 weeks in BC. We had a wonderful time getting together with friends and churches out there. It was great to catch up with everyone and share about what we have been doing since we left there in 2006! We took our camera with the intention of taking lots of pictures of everyone and everywhere we went. Needless to say, we have a couple of Esther, some sad attempts of Mt. Baker (shots from Hwy 1), and some shots for our friend Jon (also quite sad). Its a good thing that we know photography is not one of our skills!

Finally, another post!

Stephen racing his car at the LEGO store in St. Jacob's.

Samuel showing off his car.

Silas saying hello to Thomas!

All three boys outside having a snack.

Do I bother will Christmas pictures now?

Here is Esther with her cousin Joshua. Who do you think was the bigger baby when they were born? Remember, there is only 2 months between them.

Here is a family picture that we took tonight because we needed one for Sunday when we present in a "new" church. How do you get 6 people to look at the camera and smile at the same time? Is it even possible?

Samuel's Birthday - Part 2

Opening his present from Pake and Beppe with personalized wrapping paper. What will they think of next?

Reading his new book from Aunt Theresa and Uncle Joe.

Checking out his bubble train from Oma and Opa. Could there be a noisier, wetter toy?

Trying to blow out his candles. The cake looks rather sad, some how I made fancier cakes in Nigeria. Can I blame it on having a baby 6 days before?

We took a trip to the Dollar store and Samuel picked out noise makers and his birthday candles himself. The hats are being reused from Oma's birthday in November.

Samuel's 3rd Birthday - Part 1

Yummy birthday dinner at McDonalds. Who knew that you could get grilled cheese there?

Discussing how to put the tracks together.

He has learned to open the card first already!

Our little guy is 3 already! It was good for him to have some special attention. He had been waiting for his birthday since we were getting ready to leave Nigeria!

Snow!!

Sledding off the back porch.

The three boys outside during our 3 day snowstorm last week.

All ready to head outside. It definitely takes a long time to get 3 boys ready to play in the snow!

Pictures

Here is Esther in her first non-sleeper outfit. Please ignore the messy change table.

Here is a four generation picture taken this past Monday. My Beppe is holding Esther who is her first great-granddaughter (after 15 great-grandsons!). My mom is Beppe's oldest daughter and I am my mom's oldest daughter. Silas just wanted to be in the picture too!

Esther Ruth

Well, the 9-month wait is finally over. Esther Ruth was born on December 5, 2009. She arrived just after 4am. When the boys woke up a couple hours later the got to meet here. Each of them wanted to hold her, of course. They are going to be great big brothers.
Beppe was there just in case the boys woke up and then she took them to her place for a sleepover! How nice to have the house to ourselves for a day. We do thank God for another miracle in our lives.

Oma's birthday

Here is the birthday girl after dinner. She has yet to see the wonderful cake!

The spread put together by Evelyn and Janice with some help from the guys. Decorations were taken care of by the sons and grandsons.

Uncle Dan having fun with his nephews!

A tired Samuel - he didn't even finish his sandwich!

Carving pumpkins

Here are Bob and Larry. Just so you know, Bob has ears and Larry has a mustache and hair!