More Catch-up

So it's been a while again since I've blogged and wanted to post a couple pictures that have been special for us.

These are of Miriam:

First Day of School

Last Day of School

She's looking forward to second grade already and can't wait for school to start. We are so proud of her. She has a math workbook for 2nd grade that we got from a sale and she wants to work in it so she can be ahead of everyone when school starts.

I still have pics to post from her 'heart' birthday party. I'll probably load them as a link from our shutterfly page.

We had to say good-bye to some good friends of the family. Our kids have been playing together for 4 years. That's more than half their lives. These pics were from the day before they left. Trevor, Maggie, Zachary and Carissa are greatly missed by our family.

We received a wonderful package from my mom which contained lots of goodies for the whole family and beautiful birthday gifts for Miriam. She's really into horses and barbies right now so that cool. She's actually saving money right now for a boy barbie.

We got together with some other couples for a BBQ night at the McLemore's house. We all ate well and had a great time hanging out together. The kids love playing and being silly with Justin and Oliver.

Another highlight of June for us was getting to meet our friends new little boy, William Lee Custer. The Custer's have been in Budapest as long as we have and are good friends. We've been so excited for arrival of this little baby and had a great time getting to meet him.

And just a couple final pictures of the kids playing outside during some of the brief times when it hasn't been raining.

It's been a good summer break so far. The kids are involved in a program at school learning about the Roman Empire and they love it. Miriam dresses in Toga and Zach takes his sword, shield and breastplate everyday. I've been sorting through pictures to continue to scrapbook and try to catch-up on that too. Aaron has been holdling Open Gym at the school 4 days a week and working on some school projects as well. We are excited to celebrate 4th of July with friends and then go on vacation to Prague. There is a Crusade family there traveling and have offered their apartment to other Crusade families to use at no cost. We are still trying to decide whether to drive or take a bus there. It will be good to get away. Many have told us how beautiful Prague is.

Long Time Since I've Blogged

I know it's been a long time since I've blogged, and it's not that there hasn't been stuff to blog about, but I've sort of got hooked on the Facebook world. I did want to take a second and kickstart our blog by sending out a huge thanks to some friends of ours at our Home Church, Patterson Park. We received a box from them yesterday with lots of goodies in it. The box was so great that I actually need to update our list of things we miss because they shopped so well.

As you can tell the kids were really excited, so much so that they labeled the Mac and Cheese with their names. We had a great time opening the boxes and are enjoying all the fun things that were sent. I have some new material too to start some new quilting projects. What a way to bless us over here and let us know that you are thinking and praying for us!

Please check back as I will try and update some of the fun things that have happened in the last couple of weeks, including Miriam finishing up 1st grade and her birthday party.

Interesting New Driving Restrictions

We recently received an e-mail alerting us of this new decision about driving in town. Many have thought it was bizarre, but it's real. Our license plate ends in an even number, so today we were okay because of the warnings, and next week is the 18th, but after that we'll see. Hopefully the restrictions will be lifted! Just thought this was something interesting to share with you, not something they would ever think of trying in the States.
Smog alert issued, road traffic limited in Budapest
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky issued an open-ended smog alert in Budapest effective 11 am on Sunday, imposing restrictions on road traffic. During the smog alert, vehicles whose licence plates end in an even number should be used only on even dates of the month and vehicles with odd numbers may only be used on odd dates, the statement said. Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky issued an open-ended smog alert in Budapest effective 11 am on Sunday, imposing restrictions on road traffic. During the smog alert, vehicles whose licence plates end in an even number should be used only on even dates of the month and vehicles with odd numbers may only be used on odd dates, the statement said. The alert was introduced after the concentration of dust floating in the air has exceeded the limit of 100 microgrammes per cubic metre for two days in a row, on Friday and Saturday. Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany urged ministries and state offices on Sunday to strictly adhere to the regulations of the smog alert, government spokesman David Daroczi said. Public transport vehicles, police, ambulance and fire services and vehicles of the diplomatic corps are exempt from the restrictions. On Sunday and Monday, police will not issue fines for violators of the smog alert restrictions, police spokeswoman Eva Tafferner said. However, there will be roadside checks throughout the city and on main roads entering Budapest and officers will warn drivers of the restrictions, she added. According to weather forecasts the dust concentration will decrease in the coming days.

Great Are You

I was listening to this song tonight and thinking about the words. It just made me silent thinking about how much He loves us even though we are so small. It puts a lot into perspective.

That Sneaky Tooth Fairy

So, as you can tell from the picture Miriam lost another tooth. Today was the first day back to school and she woke up so excited. She has told me she missed her spelling tests, timed math tests and recess. Her top front tooth, plus two lower teeth have been wobbly, and we've teased her about needing to pull the top one, but this morning she came downstairs and showed us that she pulled it out after we put them to bed last night. She was quite excited to come down and show us, especially since it was a surprise to us. She was getting ready to go up and see what the Tooth Fairy left her when Aaron called her over to talk to her for a second, so I could go up and put the coins in her tooth pillow. Thank goodness Aaron's wallet had some 100 forint coins in and I was able to get everything arranged before they made it upstairs. She was quite excited with what was left in her pillow and that the Tooth Fairy made it there. I know one day these things won't be so important, but right now it's a lot of fun watching them use their imagination.

Happy Birthday

I wanted to include these videos, but unfortunately they all have to be done seperately from Youtube, unless someone else knows a better way, open to suggestions....
Just some fun things from the holidays.

Coming to the Tree

Sentimental moment

Away in a Manger

Happy Birthday Jesus

Our Christmas

We have been so busy this month and then just enjoying each other that I have not taken the time to blog about what we have been doing. I wanted to take some time and just share what we've been up to lately.
We put up our tree and the kids got to put all the decorations up this year. Usually in the past I let them put them on and then later I re-arrange a few so they're not on top of each other, but this year they did a great job, and had so much fun doing it.

December 12th was the Middle School/High School Concert. We enjoyed going and seeing the older kids perform traditional and more contemporary Christmas music. I think my favorite was the hand-chimes. It doesn't seem very common to hear those anymore.

December 16th was the Elementary Concert. It was the first time we've actually attended, but since we have a first grader now we wouldn't miss it. Miriam was definitely in her element and loved every moment. Before the concert started she got to hang out with her friends for a bit. Here's a photo of Miriam with Maggie (left) and Lizi (middle)...two of her best friends.

The next day I had the privilege of helping with Miriam's class Christmas Party. Zach also got to be involved which was a lot of fun. We played Christmas Bingo with M&M's, made our own Reindeer, and had an ornament hunt around the room. We finished our party with green tree shaped cookies and red kool-aid. We had a lot of fun.

We went to a friends house for dinner one night and they let us borrow Home Alone 1 and 2. The kids had a lot of fun cuddling on the couch watching a new Christmas favorite.

December 20th - Velence Orphanage Trip - The youth from church and students at school were collecting blankets and toys to deliver to an orphanage about 40 minutes outside of town with about 94 kids. The couple in charge arranged to have a verse stitched into each blanket for the children. Romans 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It was a special thing to be part of. Most of the kids at the orphanage are between 6-20 years of age. This is an orphanage that the high-schoolers have visited several times so many of them had relationships with children already. Miriam found the little girl that received her present and another student translated for her as she tried to talk to her. She had bought her a bead set and she was able to work with the girl on starting a necklace. Miriam is so social it is not difficult for her to try and talk to people she doesn't know. Here are some pictures of the day. We got home from the Orphanage Trip around 1ish, found three packages from grandparents at the school and then got ready for the Christmas Program for the church later that night. It was raining a bit, so that's why there are little white dots, but here is our family photo after the service.

The kids really liked the candlelite part singing Silent Night.

I had to take a picture of this because Miriam said it looked like chocolate:) That's my girl!

On Monday we made a family favorite - Orange Cookies. The kids got to wear their aprons and they were watching the test cookie as the oven worked it's magic and the kids cleaned the beaters.

On the 23rd we celebrated Christmas Adam (day before Christmas Eve) with our Campus Crusade family. It was a nice night of food, singing and hanging out with some friends. I felt like after this night Christmas morning was just around the corner....getting excited.

A special pudding treat we enjoy, for breakfast Christmas Eve.

They got to open one present - which was their new PJ's....

Setting out Christmas cookies and milk for Santa...Miriam made us promise that we wouldn't eat the cookies. We didn't. In the morning she came down and quickly checked the plate and said "He must be real, he's really real"!

We were so blessed by having packages arrive before Christmas. Our tree was beautiful and we had a great time opening presents.

Aaron saved a special treat for Miriam for her Christmas breakfast - Froot Loops. She was so excited, this is one of her favorite cereals. Here are two of the things they received. Most of our fun was recorded on video so I don't have as many pics of opening presents.

We are started a tradition this year of making a birthday cake for Jesus to help us refocus and remember what the holiday is really about. We talked about what we could bring Jesus as our gift to Him this year.

On Christmas Day 'The Tale of Despereaux' was released. We considered going on Christmas Day and thought it was nice to be home and move at our own pace. We went on the 26th and had the mall to ourselves. The only things open at the mall were the McDonald's and the movie theatre. Zach has been seeing previews for this movie for quite a while and really wanted to see it. It was a good movie.

This has become one of Zach's favorite movies, and if you see him ask him to do his wall-e and eva impression. It's something you'll remember!

Another favorite is Kung-Fu Panda. On Sunday the kids had Ramen noodles for dinner and I gave them their 'kid' chopsticks to use. They didn't miss a bite.

We have been looking for an electric griddle for a while now because we like when Aaron makes french toast for us. Here is Zach 'helping' Aaron with his first batch on the new griddle.

On Monday we got our Christmas package from Grandma Martha and we got some cool stuff. Zach got a football guys set in of course 'Ohio State Buckeyes'. It is so much fun!

Miriam got more clothes for her American Girl doll named 'Miriam'. We had fun getting her dressed up and changing her clothes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Langs