I'm Back reporting on Life as a Family of 8!

S0 - We have been home for going on 2 months now and have had numerous requests to PLEASE update our webpage. Gosh - we didn't know you were so interested. When one request today suggested we just add a live video cam that would let you "peak in" anytime you wished, I decided it was time to sit down and add a few entries.

It seems hard to believe we haven't even been home for 2 full months yet. Gosh - how busy and blessed and busy and loved and busy and embraced we have been! And, did I mention we have been busy?!!?

Seriously though, we have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and support we have received from so many of you. Friends from the Parent-Toddler Coop and elsewhere threw a wonderful family-welcoming shower for our family within a couple days of us arriving. The kids, in particular, had a wonderful time playing with other children, and our hearts were touched by everyone's joy and love for our bigger family.

A week after we arrived home, John and I, along with the two older children, went to look at a 15-passenger van that was being auctioned off at the University of Idaho. It was only 5 years old, with just under 50K miles! After doing a little research, we put in a bid and eagerly waited to see if we were the high bid! And guess what? We were! So our vehicle troubles are behind us - and everyone can see us coming wherever we go. The Friday before Labor Day, we were able to complete the sale and register the vehicle just in time to pick it up, get it loaded and head out for a family camping trip in St. Regis, Montana.

We met John's parents in St. Regis and they bought sleeping bags for all the new kids. We set up the tent, and had a great time that weekend roasting marshmallows, fishing, sleeping in the tent (with frost coming down both mornings!), and riding bikes. We knew camping was a definite hit when the kids wanted to not only sleep outside the night we got home, but were asking when we could go again.

Here's a few pictures from our first camping trip...

When you are a family of 8, you need a big vehicle! The Lord blessed us with this wonderful 15-passenger van. We have lots of room (maybe even for a few more kids!) and I really like driving it! My only complaint - it is white! I've been hoping for a colored vehicle (something besides white, beige or tan!), but oh well!

And when you have kids - you have bikes. This was our bike rack loaded up with 7 bikes (Anabella's trike was inside the van).


Everyone (and everything!) loaded up for our first trip in our new van


Our first night of camping - John is tucking in the kids.


Blow Olesya! Roasting (or burning!) marshmallows.


Since the kids had such a great time camping, we decided to make it out one more time before the cool fall weather would make it too chilly. We went camping near Avery, Idaho with a wonderful family from church - Steve and Diane Rathbun, and their two sons Seth and Nathan. The weather was rainy, but we all still had fun. Mariyana and John went on a 17-mile (all downhill) bike ride on Saturday along the old Hiawatha railway line.

The same weekend we went camping, our church held a wonderful reception/shower for our family and we were showered with generousity and love from so many families. We continue to be amazed at how interested, supportive and loving so many people have been...We can't even begin to explain how God has brought wonderful people into our lives, and our kids' lives to touch and bless us.

The kids have all begun participating in the Wednesday night church activities and really love it. The boys are Royal Rangers and the girls are Missionettes. The Missionettes had a costume party and sleep-over. Mariyana stayed the night (can't say sleep, because she didn't!), and Lillia and Olesya stayed until 10:30 pm! They were having so much fun, that when Dad came to pick them up at 9 pm, thinking they must be getting too tired, he was informed they still had things to do! Anyways, here are the girls dressed up in their costumes. Both Lillia and Olesya won the "Best Costume" awards for the party! (For some of my long-time friends - you may recognize the costumes - they were my tap-dance recital costumes!)

Olesya ready to go!


The 3 ballerinas! (If this was video, instead of a photo, you would hear Anabella crying in the background because she can't go with the other girls!! - It's tough being the youngest!)


After the Missionettes sleep-over, the boys had a turn. Both boys had fun sleeping at the church, going fishing in the morning and playing basketball. I didn't get any pictures, but believe me, there were plenty of smiles!

The first weekend of October we went down to the Wilson Banner Ranch in Clarkston, Washington for a Harvest Festival. This ranch is a working ranch that grows fruits and vegetables. The kids enjoyed picking pumpkins, painting pumpkins, sampling apple cider, enjoying apple treats and watermelon slices, and taking a hay ride (twice!). Here are a few pictures from that fun day...

The whole crew (minus me, because I'm behind the camera lens!)


Anabella picking out her pumpkin


We just returned late Sunday night from Big Sky, Montana (near Bozeman), where we visited John's parents for 10 days. John worked on framing a house, while the kids and I enjoyed learning about geysers, hot springs, wildlife and more, as well as enjoyed spending time with grandparents. We made a trip into Yellowstone, as well as the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in the town of West Yellowstone. It also happened to snow one day (about 4-6 inches up on the mountain) and so the kids had a great time playing in, rolling in, throwing and sliding in the snow.

Waiting for Old Faithful to blow during our recent visit to Yellowstone


Enjoying the Snow in Big Sky, Montana


It is late and so I need to sign off for the night. I hope this appeases those of you out there, at least for a few days. Things are going really well - much better than expected. When I have some more time, I will try to go into more details of family life and whatnot, but for now, I thought the highlights of the last 7 weeks would be good!