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.