This and That

It's been a few weeks since I've posted an update. All is well and we've been keeping very busy. Ben is back in swim lessons and will start ice skating lessons is a couple of weeks. He continues to do well in preschool and enjoys playing with friends there. Believe it or not, he had his Pre-Kindergarten screening this past week (is it even possible he will be going to kindergarten next year?) and passed with flying colors, which was no surprise to his Mom and Dad. He continues to amaze us with how much he knows and how much he remembers. At the same time, he's a very active, happy guy who makes us laugh every day!

Claire is also doing very well. It's so hard to believe that she's been home for 6 months already. She's SOOOOOO close to walking. She runs around the house pushing her walking toy and can stand from a sitting position without holding on to anything or anyone. She cruises around furniture as well. One of these days, she'll figure out that she can do it on her own and will be off and going. She is transitioning from the infant room at daycare to the toddler room, where she'll take naps on a cot and will feed herself at lunch. Her cousin, Joey, is already in the toddler room, so she's excited to hang out with him again. We have a couple of very special occassions coming up that we're looking forward to...Claire's adoption finalization hearing (making it all finally official and she'll become a U.S. citizen) and her baptism. We'll be sure to post updates on those soon.

Here are a few clips/pics of some recent happenings.

Summer is officially over and that means it's time to get the cabin ready for the winter. Claire, Ben, Joey and Sam were intrigued watching their dads taking the dock out of the lake-a sure sign that summer is over!


Koreans recently celebrated Chuseok, which is similar to our Thanksgiving. One of the families in our group hosted a gathering to celebrate the occassion How cute are these little ones in their hanboks?

Check out Claire on the move!

And watch how she can stand!

We recently attended a fundraiser that our adoption agency hosted where the proceeds benefited the agency in Korea that took care of Claire. Ben tried his hand at Taekwondo---take a look! I sense Taekwondo lessons in our future!

The start of a new school year!

It's hard to believe that summer is gone and it's the start of a new school year. Ben "graduated" to the "Kindergarten Bound" room at his preschool. He was so excited to move up to the "big kid" room and see some of his friends who he hadn't seen all summer.

Got the backpack packed and I'm ready to go!

"Check out my new cubby!"

Claire is still in the infant room where she loves her teachers and playing with her friends!

Great times....great friends!

A couple of weekends ago we ventured to Osh Kosh, Wisconsin for an annual reunion of wonderful friends. Many of us lived in the Twin Cities area after college, where we shared so many good times together. Some of us still live in the Twin Cities area, while others live elsewhere. We all look forward to this annual gathering at Mike and Theresa's on Lake Winnebago in Osh Kosh.

Claire finally got to meet Julie...

...and George!

Ben and Dave ran out of gas on the jet ski and had to be towed back to shore as Kurt and Kaden patiently waited for their ride on the tube.

The weekend wouldn't be complete without the ladies only cocktail cruise...always a good time!

Claire hanging with Julie Hoff!

And Judy, too.

Ben and Claire with Kaylee and Drew.

Thanks to the Eiermans for hosting, yet another, wonderful reunion. We so look forward to this every year. Thanks, also, to the Sorrells for your wonderful hospitality. We're so lucky to have such wonderful friends in our lives!! Can't wait til next year!

Dave, Christa, Ben & Claire