Finland

Johannes är redo att åka till Finland. 19 april bär det av! Weslie stannar till den 6 maj och vi andra till 26 maj. Vi väntar, längtar och räknar dagarna (95 kvar)!

Austin Vacation

We had a great, relaxing vacation in Austin in the end of April. It was really nice to be able to stay at Auntee's place, but we sure missed her (she was in Nebraska and Alabama while we were there). 

Lots of fun visiting and playing with cousins.

We missed most of the bluebonnets, but still got to see lots of other beautiful wildflowers.

 Tested the pool at Auntee's apartment.

 Jacob and Anna Joy learning how to make Uncle Orbie's biscuits.

Stouthaus hot chocolate and coffee was great!

Visiting with Dothan Odoms

On our last day in Alabama, some of Weslie's dad's family came up from Dothan in Southern Alabama (three hours away). We really enjoyed visiting with Nana, Aunt Pat, Uncle Tim and Cousin Emily. 

And we were glad to have more time to visit with Fammo's sisters Leah (with husband Butch) and Jan.

Lots of Odoms, enough to make pretty loud - and fun - conversations.

Aunt Leah entertaining again.

Fammo and Edith listening.

Thanksgiving

I was so excited to finally get to spend Thanksgiving with the Mackin family at Uncle Jimmy's house. It was a wonderful time with lots of food and visiting with family. I love Weslie's big family. It's like coming home to my family in Finland when I go to Alabama. It is a great blessing to have them somewhat close (within one day in driving distance), since mine is so far away.

Eftersom Weslie är pastor har vi aldrig möjlighet att åka hem över storhelger som jul och påsk. Därför var vi extra glada över kunna åka till Alabama över thanksgiving, vilket är en stor familjehögtid här i USA. En extra bonus var att det alltid ligger runt Ediths födelsedag, så vi kunde fira henne där. Först gången hon har fått ha mor- eller farföräldrar på sin födelsedag. Själva thanksgiving firades vid Weslies morbror Jimmys tillsammans med massor av mostrar, morbröder, kusiner och andra släktingar och vänner med mycket mat och annat roligt. Weslie har en underbar familj, och jag är så tacksam över att få ha dem här då min egen är så långt borta.

Edith and her cousins playing outside. It was nice and sunny, but pretty chilly. Can you tell which one has a mama from way up north :-)??

Weslie's brother David with their dad, Wayne. Clearly father and son :-).

 Uncle Butch and Aunt Cheryl looking at pictures of Grandma Sissy.

Lots and lots of great food.

And lots of kids.

Uncle John and Aunt Leah entertaining. Always fun to listen to them.

 Weslie has something important to tell his cousin Kelly and her husband Andy.

Alabama Cousins

We went to Alabama for Edith's birthday and Thanksgiving, and for the first time, we got to meet all of Edith's cousins. Weslie's brother and family from California were home too, and we are so excited to now have a picture of all the cousins together.

Littlest Cousin

And here is Edith with her youngest cousin, Magda, born in June. She sure loved holding her.

New Old Farmhouse

And some more pictures from Finland. Checking out my brother Joel's and his wife Janina's newly built house, a farmhouse in old Finnish style. They built it all by themselves and it is so beautiful. Good job, little brother!

More Alabama pictures

First Build-a-bear visit.

Cleaning Fammo's windows.

Fixing her hair.

Getting a back massage.

Aunt Leah & Uncle Butch

And visiting with Fammo's family at aunt Leah's and uncle Butch's house in Marion, AL.

Dothan

We also went down to south Alabama to visit Faffa's family.

Hug and kiss from cousin Jacen.

Crocheting with Nana.