Sophie ate her first real portion of solid food today. After several unsuccessful attempts to feed her over the past few days, Stephanie insisted on giving it a try and succeeded in feeding her a good sized portion of rice cereal.

4th of July

We celebrated Independence Day with a barbeque at Corina's house. It was also Laura's 4th birthday. The cousins had a lot of fun playing on the swings and the hammock, and watching fireworks together.


Ok, most of the fireworks were more exciting than this!

Our school year is wrapping up

We're still not completely done with our studies, but things are definitely winding down. The last few weeks have been all about achievement tests, recitals, awards ceremonies and "school" parties.

First, here are some pictures of their time at Thursday school and other extra curricular activities.

Maddy presents her report on porcupines in science class

Stephanie at the spelling bee

Hannah assists with Sparks

Maddy and Rachel take violin lesons at the co-op

Their Christmas recital

Rachel takes piano lessons from a Russian teacher named Vladimir

Rachel and Hannah are on a volleyball team in Beaverton

Then there's the actual home school, which sometimes looks like this

Other times it's more like this:

Dad's 70th Birthday

We celebrated dad's 70th birthday with a bang this year. Corina and Cornelia spearheaded the effort to put on a special party at his home. Usually our extended family is enough to fill the house, but this time we invited 20 of his closest friends from church to join us. There was barbeque, pasta and potato salads, delicious appetizers and exquisite desserts. The highlight of the party was when dad's friends began to share what an impact he has had on their lives. They told of his generosity when they were in need, the hospitality he extended when they had just come from Romania and felt alone, the way he was always ready to lend a hand when they needed help with car repairs, etc. We laughed, we cried, it was wonderful. It's sad that we usually reminisce this way about someone after he's gone. I'm so glad that dad got a chance to hear this while he is still with us.

Rachel's Graduation

Rachel graduated from the 8th grade. Where has the time gone? I can't believe we'll be parents to a high schooler this fall.
Anyway, we had a homeschool graduation ceremony with 6 of her classmates from our church co-op at The Old Spaghetti Factory, complete with diplomas and speeches. Grandparents from both sides came. And Joey. It was a special time.


Ain't she cute?


Hannah G., Rachel, Macenzie L., and Jennifer H.





Where are the photos of the grandparents and of Joey, you ask? Don't ask.