Piper's 3rd Birthday Party

Piper blowing out her candles with help from cousin Evie.

The kitchen Piper's been dreaming of for months!

Everyone gets to play.

Opening presents.

Waiting in line to swing at the pinata.

Gotcha' Day: Two Years!

Two years ago today, Piper was put into my arms by her caretaker from the orphanage. It still takes my breath away. What joy she has brought into our lives! Praise God!

See for yourself what a nut she's become. (Sorry for the sideways video.)

She's laughing at Taylor's antics.

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

This morning as I was reading my Bible,

Piper asked me to get her a snack.

When I came back with toast and

mandarin oranges this is what I found!

A Special Day

Sweet smiles from Piper and Ting-ting.

Last Saturday we got a call that changed the course of our day... the Hammer's were in town! Almost 2 years ago we traveled to China with Mark and Jenny to adopt our daughters. (Piper and Ting-ting were in the same orphanage.) We could hardly wait to see them!

The whole group. We had such a wonderful time catching up!

Hugs goodbye.

At the Park

When Piper got a new dolly stroller she couldn't wait to take it to the park.

Turns out she wasn't the only little girl with this idea.

Piper and Lily became fast friends.

Camping!

Piper sporting her sunglasses.

Whitney and Taylor working together?

Piper got a mosquito bite under her eye:(

Playing cards because Piper was scared to go to sleep.

When we asked her in the morning why she was so sad, she said, "Tent no like me."

Camping Chef Extraordinaire!

Taylor takes charge of the mattresses. (Yes, we are wimpy campers.)

Setting up the tent.

So far, Piper likes the tent...

And the flashlight.

Taylor helps Piper with her princess fishing pole. She loves to fish!

Jim Gets His AA!

In the fall of 2001, Jim decided to pursue a college education through Northwestern's Focus program. In 2003 with only 3 classes to go, he made the decision to take a break from his studies in order to devote more time to the family. Last fall, taking advatange of a new college program at Bethlehem he completed his courses, earning his Associate of Arts degree.

Piper!

What To Do on a Rainy Day

We had a few rainy days on our vacation.

Emily and Whitney decided to make David and Taylor their Egyptian slaves.

Then, they turned the makeup on each other... yikes!

Photos from REBELution

Whitney's Hospitality Team:

Hannah Currie, Tessa Larsen, Whitney and Emily Hedstrom.

They did a great job!

Dropping the Harris family (and Joseph Patrick) at the airport.

Joseph, Joel, Alex, Whitney, Brett, Gregg, and Isaac.

More on the REBELution soon!

REBELution Tour Promo Video

This is the conference for teens (and their families) that we've been talking about. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In_4Dj7Umg8

therebelution.com

The Rebelution!

What is “The REBELution”? It is a teenage rebellion against low expectations — a growing movement of young people committed to doing hard things for the glory of God. Whitney is one of 8 teenage captains that will put these principles into practice as they facilitate bringing the REBELution’s “DO HARD THINGS” conference to Minneapolis on June 21st.

http://therebelution.com

Whitney’s blog: afragrantoffering.blogspot.com

Foreign Missions in Minneapolis? A Post from Jim

In these days, many are being awakened to missions. Pray that God would continue to raise up those who will go, especially to the unreached peoples, and that Christ’s name would be exalted and worshipped all around the world.

We are becoming increasingly aware of a unique “missions” opportunity that exists right here where we live. South Minneapolis neighborhoods are among the most ethnically diverse in the country. This means that the nations are coming to us!

Will you pray with us that God would pour out his Spirit and open eyes to see the surpassing greatness of Jesus Christ? Pray that God would give us inroads and opportunities to build relationships that reach across ethnic and cultural lines. Pray that these relationships would be grounded in love, and that the most loving thing in the world would happen; that the gospel of Jesus Christ would be shared and rejoiced in.

Oh, that God would draw the nations to himself right here in South Minneapolis! We long to see a preview of the day when all nations and tribes and tongues will be gathered before the throne of God, worshipping the Savior.

Our Cutie Peels Her Own "Cutie"

Around here "cuties" are yummy tangerines. (The stickers say "cutie.") Today Piper spontaneously grabbed one out of the bowl on the dining room table and began to peel. We were amazed at her tenacity. When she finished she sat down to enjoy the fruit of her labor:)

Hmmm...

Now I know what they do in their spare time.

Sleigh Ride

The Waldemar family celebrated "an old-fashioned Christmas" including a horse drawn sleigh-ride. It was a weekend full of children, laughter, food and sharing. Here are some pics.

The sleigh awaits.

Chloe and Audrey all bundled up.

Scott models his new scarf. Yikes!

Piper, Jim and Barb ready to go.

Audrey loves the snow!

Grandma Becky holds Piper.

Taylor with cousin Zack.

Piper's first ride in a sled.

Chloe and Evie mix up a birthday cake for Jesus.

Ingrid licks the spatula. Mmmm chocolate!

Sleigh ride.

Jim and Myles rolling making lefse.

Nicole, Marty, Ingrid and Maddie on sleigh ride.

Granda Becky made aprons for all the girls!

Taylor, Zack and Carl Dean.