Oh, where have I been?

Crazy! I just looked, and the last time I posted on here was in October! Wow!! Well - I'll try for at least a quick post here ...

Kiddos are still sleeping. Hubby's at work. The washing machine is at work on my behalf ....

Anyway- I can't even begin to catch up on 8 month's worth of life here - so I'll just pretend it was more recently when I last wrote something! Our 'big highlight' was A and I making a trip to Mn in May. The two youngest boys made the trip with us. We had a really nice trip, tho' it made it crystal clear to us again what we're missing out on, on the other side of the ocean. Many things we miss about America - mostly family. Also friends, and ... just being Americans! Even A, as a 'true Finn', is really 'more American' with his ways of thinking and all. But for whatever reason, we're meant to live in Finland now, and we're okay here.

While we were in Mn, the kids finished up their school year (well, we got back on Friday, and they had 'report card day' on Saturday, so I was there with them for that!) We had two couples each here in our home for a week with the five oldest kids, while we were gone. I think things went about as smoothly as I could wish for, while we were gone! We're so fortunate to have people to offer us the opportunity to make a trip like that!

And, while we were there, in Mn, we got to see every family member (meaning my dad and step-mother, and all the siblings, their spouses and kids, as well as their kids' spouses and kids! Actually, the exception was the dear niece and her hubby and baby, who were at our home for the first week of our trip there!) We weren't quite all together at the same time - but for our annual 'camping weekend', there were 91?? of a possible 113?? people there, at least for part of the weekend. Pretty amazing! And very amazing for my hubby and I to be able to be a part of the family weekend again, after several years of missing it. I just felt bad for our kids who were still here at home - they would have also loved to have been able to be there.

Hmmm .... wonder if I can post any pictures. I will try ...

... Two happy boys, in America!

I'm not posting more America pictures here - I can't really 'show and tell' about our trip with the pictures I got. I'm not the greatest photographer!

T's last day in this school - getting his report card from his teacher.

M's class - getting report cards ...

... 'What numbers did I get?' (She did very well!)

The boys' summer work ... Mr. N works like (and has the strength of) a man!

T has been an awesome worker! He has probably put them most time into this project.

D doesn't have the power of his oldest brother, but he does well - takes a few more swings to chop the wood, but he is a very determined and energetic worker. Their dad has been very pleased with the work these boys have been doing!

Miss K reading to her youngest brother. 

Enough for one day? :) I really should get an iphone or some-such, and then I'd surely keep up better on here .... this is supposed to be as a diary for our kids for the future!