Sister visit number one

We are having a lot of visitors this summer. Last weekend, my older sister Johanna and her family came to visit us. Her daughter Meredith is very popular at our house... the littles could barely contain their excitement that she was coming. Meredith is at that convenient age where she is still fun for the littles to play with, and also fun for Emily and Anna to take shopping at the mall. We really enjoyed having them visit and are thankful that Colin and Johanna decided to visit us at the end of their vacation tour of the upper midwest and great plains.

Our sweet and sassy Meredith!

Colin and Johanna

My cousin Crystal, husband Don and their kids joined us for some lake fun. Here the grown-ups are relaxing while the kids swim.

Boatload of kids!

Sarah working her charm on Uncle Colin.

Johanna takes the jet ski for a spin.

Colin's turn


Johanna and me

Johanna playing Sorry with little cousin Caden.
He won, using his creative rules for the game.

As a final disclaimer, I want it to be publicly known that Meredith did indeed drive the jet ski on her own... for some reason I can't find a picture. She did an excellent job, and the absence of photographic evidence should in no way indicate otherwise.

Independence Day

This year was blazing hot for our July 4th festivities... not unusual for Nebraska in July, but stifling nonetheless. The kids managed to get in some swimming and lemonade sales early in the day, and after dinner, they got to try their hands at home fireworks. Littles only, as no big kids were home with us for the day.

First up, a safety talk by Daddy.

Candace has her punk ready to light her parachute.

And it's off!

Thomas retrieves the parachute.

Sarah and Thomas comparing parachutes.

Later in the day, we were joined by our family friends the Loughmans for some water fun and to watch the fireworks. The littles were very happy to see Evan... he's always willing to play with the kids and they love him.

Evan getting Thomas ready to go for a ride with him on the jet ski.

Evan and Candace

Evan and Sarah bringing the jet ski in.

Heather and Bill getting some pointers from Evan.

Bill and Heather

Heather swimming with the littles.

Sarah and her sparkler.

Thomas

Thomas' first year home!

One year ago today, Thomas passed through immigration in Washington, D.C., becoming a brand new citizen of the United States of America... ready to join the Spears family as the new little brother. It's been a year of many firsts, and sweet Thomas has been embracing all that life has to offer.

We love you, Feyissa Thomas Spears!

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Summertime

I've been neglecting a lot of things lately, most noticeably my blog and my housework. I have a couple of reasons for this: 1) It's been freaking hot outside; 2) I just can't get into the workaday swing of things since our fabulous vacation; and 3) It's been freaking hot outside.

Oh, and our A/C was malfunctioning for awhile and it's been freaking hot outside.

Anyway, I took some pictures of the littles yesterday enjoying the lake while I enjoyed the shade of my fabulous new beach umbrella. It was nice and peaceful yesterday with a minimum of boat activity and I was feeling very blessed while I watched my kids play.

My birthday umbrella... love it!

Thomas at work on his volcano.

Sarah and Thomas working together.

Thomas, Sarah and Candace... putting some muscle into it!

The crew


Thomas and Candace cooling off.

Water handstands... love those pink feet!

Candace

My toothless trio.

Young entrepreneurs

The littles decided awhile ago that they wanted to open a lemonade stand. They have asked about it constantly. Right before we went on vacation, I found this great portable lemonade stand on Zulily and I knew they would love it. It's so cute, right? It came with stickers for decorating and it can also be used as a puppet stage. It was delivered while we were away, and when the littles saw the box, they couldn't wait to set up shop. They made ten dollars on Sunday, and Thomas made a dollar more on Monday when he sold some lemonade to the garbage crew while they were picking up our trash. :)

Hawaii!

This was one of our best vacations ever... the resort was beautiful and everyone had a wonderful time. Without further ado, the video recap:

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Three years ago

On May 31, 2009 we met these little girls for the very first time... our new daughters, Candace Selam and Sarah Fikir.

Sarah (left) and Candace (right) were shy around us at first.

Looking to each other for moral support.

Suckers helped break the ice.

They showed off their skills.

And eventually they decided we were all right.

Since then, our world has not been the same. Many tears, many hugs... but now firmly rooted in love. We love our Candace and Sarah so much.

Pomp and Circumstance at AGHS

Anna graduated yesterday... the youngest of my bigs; she was my baby for fifteen years. Hard to believe she is on her way to college and adulthood. The ceremony was our first in Ashland, and we really loved the hometown feel. Congratulations, AGHS graduates of 2012!

Anna receives her honor cords to go with her National Honor Society hood and all-conference academic award.

Receiving her diploma

Moving her tassel

Hats off!


Anna with BFF Abbey


Senior besties Daryl, Kenzie and Anna


The graduate with the littles.

The family, minus Emily who was changing her shoes.

Anna and the grandparents.


Anna and big brother Kenneth


Sisters


The proud parents of the graduate. :)