Paul's done with military...

Small towns are so similar wherever you are. Paul finished his six month mililtary training, which traditionally ends with a parade through the square in Jakobstad. Here are some pictures:

All of the guys loaded in the back of one of the Sundström trucks:

Driven by Jopi and Janina:

I'm sure his parents are so proud (he's in the blue)! ZEROOOOOO!

All they left behind was a smoke bomb...not so pleasant:

Two more from the game

Too good not to put up:

Football game

No, not REAL football, but still fun to watch! We took some of the boys to watch Kristina's brother, Jopi, play a game the other night. Here he is (#20) looking like black flames follow him as he runs:

Ivar thinking about...fishing?

Another action shot:

You've got to click this one to see the intense concentration on his face:

Shot on goal! One of three close ones for big number 20 that evening:

Future Beckham?

Cousins

These cousins are, surprisingly, only two weeks apart.

Maternity box

When mother's give birth in Finland, the government gives them the option of 140 € or a box filled with a TON of baby clothes with various sizes up to one year old. Also included are nail clippers, brush, children's book, and other useful things. We weren't eligible since Kristina doesn't have her residency here, but we were able to get in touch with a family member who didn't want the box. Through a generouse gift, we were able to get the box, and now just need to ship it back! Look at the neatness:

Miriam modeling one of the hats.

The mountain...

"Shelling peas" in Finland

Summertime in Finland isn't much different than summertime in the South. Whereas my mother and aunts are going nuts trying to find the best deal on peas and then spending hours shellin', my family here brings in boxes of fresh Finnish strawberries almost daily to clean, cut, and freeze for the winter. Not all of the strawberries made it to these worker's deft fingers...

Pregnant belly update #1

Not much to see...the little girl is in there kicking and screaming (though Kristina assures me she isn't screaming). We're almost at week 21, so Kristina should start showing more and more! Please continue to pray for our family.