Kjersten's 'homework'
Our family, as portrayed by Kjersten. From L-R: Carl, Kjersten (top), Tianna (bottom) and Andrea. The sticker is of her beloved doll Emilia. 

We found out a awhile back that we will be welcoming baby #3 into our home this winter. What'll we have??? Guess we'll just have to wait and find out (actually, we prefer to wait and find out anyway-- we like surprises).

 

While they were here, we went out to eat, went to Baker Park Reserve (pictured above) where Carl works, and the Igreja Brasileira de Esperanca, as well as our other church in the morning.


What nice parents-- doing yard work and other household work for us!!!
 

Also while we were in Oregon, we were happy to have a chance to see other members of Andrea's side of the family. At the beach, Andrea's aunt Pam came to visit for a few days, which was great. We were very glad to get to spend some time with her. All the cousins camped out along the road waiting for her arrival, for a couple of hours prior to her arrival.
The pictures here are from the family picnic, which included uncles, aunts and cousins from the Jensen side of the family, as well as some other extended family.

Here's a picture of us, Andrea's parents, her sister, Naomi, and Naomi's family. It's the first family picture we've had of the Jensen side of the family since our wedding, when Naomi's daughter (now almost 9) was less than 2 years old.

Andrea's uncle Steve & aunt Judy hosted brunch on the day following the larger family reunion. There were 3 of our cousins there: Lori (and her husband and two boys), Peter (recently married, but whose wife is in the marines and unable to come up for the occasion) and Alec (the youngest of the cousins). All but one uncle and aunt were there as well. It was really nice to see all of them, and I'm just sorry we didn't have more time to spent with each of them! 

Finally awake, Tianna emerged down at the beach awhile later. She enjoyed any exposure to the elements, though I don't remember her caring much for the cold ocean water.


But wandering around on the sand, even wet sand, was quite the enjoyable experience!
 

 

At one point cousin Gabe became distraught when he saw his parents, Naomi & Tim, walking down the beach without him. He ran to catch up, but being unable to he returned to Mom and me, very upset. In effort to distract him with something different and fun, we got him to start burying me in the sand. At first he wasn't very excited, but then became more enthusiastic and decided he wanted to be buried too. Before we knew it, all the rest of the kids (except Tianna, who was napping) wanted to be buried in the sand too.

Emily, Tessa, and Kjersten

Kjersten and Andrea

Cousin Emily

 

Our last day at the beach turned out the be a beautiful day, and much warmer than the previous days had been. What could be more fun than to dig in the sand with Grandpa and cousins???? Above is a picture of Grandpa Vovo and cousin Tessa, who is 2.5 months older than Tianna.
Kjersten loved every minute of digging in the sand and playing with her cousins, and still prays that her cousins will be close by so she can see them again! Above is Kiri playing with her cousins Gabe and Emily. Above is Kjersten with cousin Mika, her oldest cousin on the Jensen side of the family.
What a backdrop, huh? 

In late July we made our first true family vacation since August 2001 to the Oregon coast, where we met Andrea's parents & sister, Naomi, and her family for a few days right on the coast. It was a quick trip, making it to Oregon in two days of driving from Minneapolis, MN. Our kids withstood the long journey fairly well, though certainly glad to be out of the car for a few days after we arrived there!
As I brows through the picturs from our vacation to the Oregon coast this July, I realize we go to different beaches for different reasons. We don't go to the Oregon coast to catch rays and kick back in the sun, but rather to see the beauty of God's creation and the creatures that live there. It's an inspiring site to see!!! Above is a picture of our oldest daughter Kjersten, being held by her Grandpa Vovo.
Also along the coastal rock formation, here's a picture of Carl and Tianna.

 

Yesterday Tianna started kissing Kiri when she came over to her booster seat. It was the first time I'd seen her do that and they just kept doing it, so I couldn't resist taking pictures. 

Some pictures from when the Cowley's visited