Thursday, July 7, 2001_sLICeS of aMEriCAnA or why doesn't this blog write itself

Well...thee ol' blog machine has certainly slowed since the adoption is now complete.  However, life is goin' on... It's been six weeks since Jeanne and Jason have returned.  We are blessed to be a family, are bonding as one and in the throes of adjustment as a new family.

We are enjoying life from hide 'n' seek in the backyard, selling toys to make some money, to birthdays & Fathers day to family and holiday gatherings at home and at the lake...sLiCEs of LifE.

Here's an update from Memorial Day Weekend through Independence Day Weekend...here's THE LIST of "slices":

• Visiting and BBQ at the St.Louis Park Ritzman's (Dean,, Nan & our nephew Case...also 3 dogs including their newest TV star dog featured on KARE 11-"Puff").  Great hangin' out. Case is high on the COOL scale.  Jason continually asks, "when we go see Casey?" Case was awesome playing, skate boarding, BMX-ing and hangin' out with Lucas and Jason.
• Visiting and celebrating (on the Bour side...Jeanne's fam) our niece Brianne and her new husband Nathans's marriage to one another at a reception 4 months post-wedding at her parents house.  Great weather, food and company.  Boys had a great time playing with cousins, uncles and aunts...especially wrestling with cousin Jon and Aunt Cindy's "Art Class" as we called it (for the boys) when she set silver plated plastic silverware on fire...kinda like sparklers...ooh, shiney!
• Went to the lake for Fathers day and Lucas's family birthday.  Just our family and Uncle Tony.  We had a great time in the water, firepit, lawn mowin' and ridin' the waves at 30+ mph with Uncle Tony and Dad takin' turns with the boys.  We love the cabin life!!!
• Then, Lucas, Jason, 8 other friends and us had a wonderful time partying and celebrating Lucas's Birthday at Farmington Lanes.  Everyone of the kids was so edifying of Lucas and encouraging of one another as they bowled, ate pizza and cake, and then, opened gifts.  We were so proud of these children at what total joy and freedom they had with both fun and respect. One of the best birthdays.  Happy Birthday, Buddy! We love you!
• Family (Zuzek-Bour) Annual Golf outing and Party.  Thank you Grandma Jan for watching the boys as we golfed.  Truly enjoyed the golfing and adult time before the family party.  Thanks Johnny Z. for hosting an outstanding family event again.  The boys had a great time again with all their cousins and rocket launching in the front yard and trampoline in the back.
• Independence Day Weekend was one of the best ever.  We received Jason's certificate of U.S. citizenship on that Friday...how appropriate.  We stayed in the cities because we wanted him to experience the celebration of his new country's birthday and freedom.  Friday, friends (uncle) Bill and (aunt) Pam invited us all for a delicious dinner at their house.  Their son Ryan, a Soph at KU, made the boys feel real special as they ate together.  As adults, we got quality time and the boys got surround sound premium audio & video on a 92 inch screen for a viewing of "Descipcable Me"...way to go Uncle Bill!!! Saturday, our friends in the adoption process, The Boehrs, came over for a BBQ and fun. They brought their 5 children including Jason's friend, Nathan, adopted from the same orphanage and returned home together on the same flight.  Wonderful time! Below, the kids are eating on the sport court.

• On Sunday, Jeanne took me to Alexis Bailley Winery for goodies and jazz for my birthday while GREAT Aunt Jackie took the boys to see "Mr. Popper's Penguins."  Thank you Sweetie for a great gift of time with you in an awsome setting. As a family, Jeanne and the boys surpised me later with cards and gifts as did our neighbors the Wahowskes.  We then all loaded up in the car and headed to Bloomington for fireworks...they were fantastic!  Monday (4th)...to the Apple Valley Parade...Fly- over of WWII War Birds, great bands, floats, queens, military presence, clowns, Shriners and only a couple politicians (perfect)...everything that made for an enjoyable 4th of July celebration and then to our neighbors pool for a swim...thanks Mike and Heidi!  The boys love all things water...pools, lakes, sprinklers, sprinkler parks in AV as well as MN Zoo  and Cascade Bay WaterPark.

That's, for the most part, all caught up.  Boys are biking a lot. Jason loves summer school which is helping him further immerse in language and culture.  Our church rocks! Twins have a shot. And summer weather is finally here.

We have more to blog...hopefully in a sooner timeframe than last.