December 2011

Grandpa John came for a visit this month and we had a good time hanging out, playing rummy and making raised beds for a garden next summer.

Adler, Grandpa and Erik

Adler was asked to MC his scout troop's Advancement Ceremony. He did a great job! He is really enjoying any opportunity he can to 'take the stage' and improve his public speaking skills.

Our Formal Adoption application was submitted this month. We have also opened an Etsy shop in order to raise money for our adoption. Check it out at

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ransomedredeemed

November 2011

Adler and Joe had the privilege of performing in Ozark Actor's Theatre's production of White Christmas this year. It was great fun for both of them. Adler found out he can dance and had a wonderful time learning several numbers with an ensemble. Joe was in a couple ensemble numbers and an extra who dressed up in nice suits and sat at restaurant tables.

Snow!

Dashing young man!

Here they are shown with the group in the final ensemble 'White Christmas'.

October 2011

Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! jr.

Interplanet Janet

The boys participated in Fine Linen's production of Schoolhouse Rock this fall. They had a great time learning the songs that their dad and I grew up on.

Crazy Faces

In October our family also made a big announcement! We are applying to adopt from Haiti. More on that (and probably a different blog) later. God is really humbling us in this process.

September 2011

Erik entered a Lego building contest at a local toy store. He didn't win (it was a Facebook 'Like' contest) but he enjoyed seeing all the other entries.

This summer we added on a bit to Adler's room to solve a leaking problem so we can remodel our kitchen. I made new curtains for it and the inside still needs some finishing. The best news is-no more rain in the kitchen!!!

The addition is on the left side of the upper floor, above the breakfast nook.

August 2011

August brings us the Hecker family reunion. It is always a wonderful time to catch up with loved ones, but it always goes too fast! Here is a great picture of all the First cousins that were able to attend.

On the way home, they boys always like to stretch their legs at the state capitol.

Our homeschool picnic this year was a fabulous success! The planners encouraged everyone to make a "family banner", so we broke out the scrapbook supplies and gave everyone a corner and created this masterpiece! I am really happy with how it turned out and how much fun we all had working together on it.

July 2011

Happy 12th Birthday Erik! Turtle Cheesecake!
(there is a little glimpse of the broken arm)

This is the cake he had at his cousin's house. He loved having more than one party. We also got to make our own pizzas for this party. It doesn't get any better than this!

We took a big family trip this month to Minnesota to go to the Severson Reunion at Mavis' cabin. It was so good to see my
cousins again and get to meet their families. We also got to camp with my brother and sister and their families.

We took a day to go to Blackduck and visit Grandpa and Marion on the lake. It was a special time to go back to a place I hadn't visited in many years and for my family to see the places I tell them stories about from my childhood.

June 2011

We don't have pictures of it, but Erik goes on record as the first one of us to have a broken arm. He was just being a boy and tried to jump on a milk carton that still had the lid on and try to make the lid fly down the sidewalk. Those lids hold well! Not only did it not pop off, the jug threw him on to the sidewalk. Just a soft velcro cast for a month and he was good to go. He has hardly had a skinned knee, so this was tough for him.

May 2011

Erik is really into building stuff with Legos. This is just one example of the creations he comes up with.

Here is some magic trick fun that Adler has been doing. He reads and studies tricks a lot. His friends hardly trust him to shuffle a deck when they are playing a game any more!

April 2011

In April, Joe and Adler were in Fine Linen's production of Seussical the Musical. It was a FABULOUS performance, with a packed house every night for 8 performances. Always great fun hanging out with our friends at Fine Linen.

Cadets! Butter side up or down?

A Who family

Circus clown
Judge Yertle the Turtle
with Horton and The Marshall/Wickersham Brother

March 2011

Happy 14th Birthday Adler!
Presents! A summer sleeping bag for Scout camping.

Tacos for dinner

Strawberries and Angel food cake
You are a great young man!

Erik the big winner!!At our credit union's Annual Meeting, Erik won a drawing for $100. He had lots of great plans to spend it on, especially LEGOS!

February 2011

Erik was working on a Boy Scout Merit Badge in Pet Care. This required him to take care of our Dog for several weeks. For the most part, ever since we got Daisy, Adler had been her main caregiver. This time gave Erik and Daisy a new, special bond. He did very good on his responsibilities, and since Daisy was not a good candidate to take to the troop meeting, he and Adler filmed this video to show to the troop. Things like this are more special now as they are the memories that we hold on to since we lost Daisy in August. (read more about that in the August post)

January 2011

Hanging out by the fireplace before heading outside for the night.

Hot cocoa is a must!

The year started out with Adler's scout troop doing a "Freeze-Out". They raised money for a local food pantry and a homeless shelter and experienced what it was like to be homeless. They spent the night in cardboard box "houses" that they designed themselves. For some reason, we didn't get a picture of the box!

2011 the year in review

It has been nearly a YEAR since I posted anything. I wonder if I really should be a blogger! I think about doing it a lot, just never get it done. Sounds like a great New Year's resolution! Joe and I are on a business trip and I have the whole day to myself, so I am going to attempt to recap the whole year, TODAY! Enjoy!