Spring in the orchard

We love spring!!! Everything is coming to life spectacularly.

The pear tree has already blossomed.

But the apple trees are full of flowers!

The cherry trees too.

The concord grape vine has buds.

The chasselas grape vine is beautiful.

Pretty soon, the garden will be worthy of pictures as well. 

Two years!!!!

Two years ago our family grew in a big spurt when we stood before a Ukrainian judge and asked to adopt Nathalie, William and Marc! Can't believe it has been two years already. Doesn't seem possible, but as I have gotten up morning by morning, taught school, cooked meals, given out hugs and kisses, washed laundry, chauffeured kiddos to rugby, music, etc., two years have flowed swiftly by.
Some things have changed, and some seem to be the same. But mostly, we are well on our way to being one big happy blended family.

Here are a few pictures of our celebration.

Last days in the States

by Laura


Pictures of our last two days in the U.S.

Getting ready to drive back up to Aunt Tammi's.
You might not be able to see it, but that is a TV screen on the gas pump. 

You have got to be kidding me! I must be in America! 

On the road.

Last dinner with the Rojeks. (Mom's favorite place to eat.)

Teaching Lexi a song.

Grandpa asleep on the way to the Airport. :-)

Chicago O'Hare! 

Goodbye Chicago...

Wesley, Nathalie, William and Marc waiting for us! 

More food pictures!!!

by Laura

Here are a few more pictures of our U.S.A trip!
It might look like all we did was eat!!! (That isn't too far from the truth.)

One of Grandpa's favorite steak houses. The waitresses all know him.

 Deep fried onions.

Can't be in the U.S. without eating at least one hamburger.

Being silly. 

One of my favorites: Charlie Parker's.

Who would think a place like this would have good food!

Sunday lunch with my Uncle Bob and friends

Favorite watering hole for hunters and hungry people.

Our Saturday in the U.S.

By Laura

Here are a few pictures and descriptions of our Saturday in the States!

We went to get a free car wash and breakfast on Saturday at Grandpa's car dealership.
(Only in America, right?)  Quite a line of cars waiting !!!

So since the wait was long, Mom and I decided to go see what interesting things there were in downtown Springfield.

Like the capital building!

 I liked this door handle.

We saw an old fire house and thought it was cool.

Cute church

Illinois State Library 

Old State Capitol

At the breakfast (served in the showroom) there were some Porsches. 

My younger brothers would have loved to see this one !!!

After breakfast, with the car nice and clean, we took a picture with the very funny and efficient workers.

Then we went to the Lincoln museum. It was really cool!

The Lincoln family. (and a couple intruders.)

Outside the museum we saw this building that used to be a train station.

On our way home we went to see Lincoln family home for 17 years in Springfield.

Also on the way home, the governor's mansion.

Stay tuned for more U.S.A. pictures !!! ;-)

Trip to the U.S.A !!

by Laura

Hello Everyone! This post is about a trip to the States ! Because yes, my Mom and I went the the States for a week! Unfortunately, the reason for our trip wasn't a happy one. We went to spend time with my grandpa who recently lost his wife who went to be with the Lord. So we went to try and cheer him up.
Here are a few pics of the beginning of our trip!

At the airport.

Goodbye France !

And hello England.

My first Coffee all to myself ! hmm :-)

Landing in Chicago.

On the way to Grandpa's house we stopped at "Woody's Truck Stop."

Grandpa being silly with my "beanie."(as Grandpa calls it.)

A few other posts will follow with other pics of the trip !!