Last Post!

This will be the last official post on this blog. We want to have this "adoption journey" bound for Tanek to have later in life. We feel like this chapter of our life is finished - that we are on a new journey now. We are no longer on a journey to Tanek, but on a journey with Tanek! And, we can't think of a better journey to be on than the one with our little family! So, as sad as it is to end this blog, we've decided to begin a new one. If anyone still wants to follow along, here is the new site - http://lifewithtanek.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there!

Potty Time!

Tanek likes to do many things while sitting on the potty.... play with his cars.... practice brushing his teeth....
and read his books (or at least look at the pictures)!

Tonight Tanek pee-pee'd in his potty for the first time! Hoorah! He usually has a lot of fun sitting on it, but has never actually pee'd in it....until tonight! I (Stephanie) was at work when this major event occurred, so Tanek and Daddy saved it until I got home so I could see for myself. He's getting to be such a big boy!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

These are actually pictures from Tanek's "Cars" birthday party we had on the Saturday after his birthday (the 23rd). He had a fun day playing with family! He had the attention of Mommy and Daddy, Nana and Papa, Mimi and PawPaw, and Ms. Jennifer (his godmother) and Juliana! Isn't Juliana cute? You can see her in the background - she is a little China doll!

This is Tanek's actual birthday. Nana bought him some "Cars" balloons to play with on his special day, which he loved! He is very into the movie "Cars" right now, in case you haven't noticed. He thinks Lightening McQueen's name is "Mine" because his shake 'em up car says "The checkered flag is mine." Ever since he got that car, that has been his name! Tanek is so funny sometimes! He now has "Cars" everything (at least it seems like it) - blanket, towel, wash cloth, books, movie, chair, many many cars, rug, backpack, fork and spoon, sippy cups, pj's, swimsuit, etc. It's a little excessive, I know, but at least his bedroom and bathroom are not decorated with "Cars"!

Here's Tanek in his "Cars" pajamas enjoying his waffle.

Tanek watching "Cars" with Daddy - of course, he has to have "Mine" sitting next to him!

Nana bought Tanek a "Cars" swimsuit for Valentine's Day and he just couldn't wait to wear it. He insisted on wearing it over his pajamas one day while he was watching the movie and he thought he was really cool!

This past weekend (Feb. 16, 17) we took Tanek to Wild Adventures in Valdosta. He loved all of the rides and enjoyed seeing the animals. I think he would have stayed on the spinning rides all day long if we would have let him! The weather was perfect and since it was the opening weekend of the season, there were no lines! Needless to say, we did ride the spinning around rides several times each. Who would've thought the kiddie rides could be so much fun?!

Holiday Pictures

We had dinner with Nana and Papa on Christmas Eve. This rocking horse is Tanek's Christmas gift from them. He'll have to grow into it a little bit, but I'm sure it won't take long before he's riding like a little cowboy!
Here is Tanek in his ball pit on Christmas Day. I think this is one of his favorite presents- he already loves crawling through the tunnels and throwing those balls around!

Tanek had fun looking at all of the Christmas lights at Nana's house.

Tanek got a new sandbox from his Mimi and PawPaw. It's fun to dance in while it's empty, but it will be even better when there is actual sand in it!
Here's Tanek showing off his "Ho Ho Ho" pajamas. He has such a cute little tushie!

Tanek loves his new truck, but he hasn't quite learned how to steer it yet. He just pushes the pedal down and kicks back for the ride!

One Year Ago Yoday

One year ago today Tanek was placed into our arms forever! It's hard to believe a whole year has already gone by - Tanek has grown and changed so much since we brought him home! We feel like we have the best little boy in the whole world and we are so blessed to be his parents! It seems like so long ago that we were in Karaganda meeting Tanek for the first time because it feels like he has always been a part of our family! We will always treasure our experiences while in Kazakhstan getting to know the people and culture - there are so many memories to cherish.... We thank God every day for allowing us to be Tanek's parents!

More Washington Pics

We took this picture on our day trip to Sisters, Oregon. Isn't all of that volcanic rock amazing?

This was the day we went to Fort Vancouver. Tanek just happened to be wearing the perfect colors to have his picture taken in the little pumpkin patch they had at the Fort!

We visited Mom's cousin Linda and they took us to see Mount Ranier. The scenery up there is just beautiful and Mount Ranier is much more awesome when you get to see it in person! Tanek had a good time, too!

Ricky liked these pictures of the clouds coming in around the mountains.

We took a scenic drive through the Columbia River Gorge and visited some of the gorgeous waterfalls. Multnomah Falls is always spectacular to see.

Washington Trip

This is my Aunt Rena and Uncle Gerald. I'm so glad we were able to take Tanek on the trip so he could meet his "Auntgrandma" and "Unclegrandpa". He had such a good time and was such a good boy! And, he took his first steps almost as soon as we arrived at their home! It was an exciting trip!

I Can Walk!

Kazakhstan Trip.kmz (2006/10/18)

Kazakhstan Trip.kmz

Such a Cutie!

4th of July

Today Tanek spent his first July 4th with his Daddy! Ricky took him to the parade - Tanek didn't like the fire engines, but the rest of the parade was okay. Since it was raining most of the day, they couldn't go swimming, which is probably Tanek's favorite thing to do.

Tanek and Valerie - Together Again!

The Wimmer's came to visit for the day while they were in Florida! It was really good to see them again, and somehow, we think Tanek and Valerie remembered each other at least a little bit. It is amazing how much both of them have grown and changed in the six months that they've been home! They were so cute together! I hope we can continue to keep in touch and are able to have Tanek and Valerie grow up knowing each other.