Happy Birthday Diego! 7 Years Old

Diego Celebrated his 7th Birthday!!! Happy Birthday Diego!

We celebrated with a birthday party at McDonalds Playland. The theme this year was Tranformers. He invited about 10 friends from school, along with his brother Jeferson, and his cousin Jordan. Grandma Nancy and Aunt Sherry also came to visit us for the weekend. The Party was a lot of fun, and Diego received many TRANSFORMER gifts, along with other fun presents.

It was a fun day for everyone, and we had pizza for dinner and watched the Transformer movie at night.

Happy Holidays!

Happy New Year everyone! Here is a link to a very common New Years Song played throughout Colombia on New Years Eve. Click on the link and enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4l84UiSNwc

We hope that everyone enjoyed and survived the Holidays.

The boys had such a great time this Christmas. They have picked up on all the American Christmas traditions. We were even able to remind them that "Santa is watching" when they were misbehaving. Not sure how many more years that will work, but they understood what it meant this year!! Jeferson was even in tears a few times, when he was naughty and thought that Santa was not going to bring him his "Rocky the Robot" toy for Christmas. Diego is starting to write words now, so he kept wanting to write a note for Santa, telling him how "good" he is. He also wanted to write a note to Santa telling him when Jeferson was naughty. Here is the note that Diego wrote for Santa, and left along with Cookies and Milk.

"Dear Santa, We are good boys. Diego Jeferson"



On Christmas Eve, we spent the afternoon, making our "Christy Express Train" so each of us had a train car for Santa to put presents in. The boys really took pride in carefully making their car. We went to Christmas Eve Mass, and then came back home, ate dinner, and opened gifts to each other and other presents the boys had received.




Diego and Jeferson taking a ride on the " Christy Express".
The Train Cars now overflowing with presents!! Thanks to everyone for all the awesome presents.






Diego showing his new game. We have played this several times and he loves it.

Jeferson and Diego love Transformers. Every Visit to Santa, included a request for a Transformer!







On Christmas morning, Diego was the first one up-as usual. He went downstairs, to see if Santa had come, and was sure that Santa had taken some of his presents that he received the night before. He kept saying that his box was overflowing with presents the night before. I explained to him that once he unwrapped all of those presents, that it just looked like less. I assured him that Santa would not take any of his presents. After an inventory of his gifts, he did realize that they were all there.

He was then able to move on to the presents that Santa brought for him!

Jeferson woke up shortly after, and was so happy to see that Santa had brought him his Rocky the Robot Truck. Since we had planned to stay home for the day, the boys played with their new games and toys all day. Late in the afternoon, we decided to go and see a Family movie.

It was a very enjoyable Christmas for all of us.

On Sunday following Christmas, Eric and the boys left to go up north for some skiing, sledding, and visiting with family and friends.

Since Mom did not have any time off from work this year, she enjoyed a few days all to herself, to catch the after Christmas clearance sales, shopping, cleaning, and just some time to herself!

We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Joyce, Eric, Diego and Jeferson.

Why does the sun go away earlier?

I went to pick up Jeferson from Daycare yesterday, and he looked at me and said, "mommy, why did you forget about me? Do you see it is dark outside already". I tried to explain to him that it was the same time that I always pick him up, and he asked why it was dark out this time. He didn't seem convinced that I was telling him the truth. As I tried to find an explanation that he would understand, I was left with no way of explaining to him that the days get shorter as we get closer to winter, and that we also change our clocks. Why? Why? Why? was his response to everything that I came up with. If anyone has a good answer to this, please share it with us.

Autumn 2009

Happy Fall to you all!



We thought it was time for an update, to let everyone know what we have been doing.


With the summer over, we started school in September. Diego is in Kindergarten at Green Tree Elementary in West Bend, and Jeferson is in preschool in West Bend as well.


Diego 1st day of School :








Jeferson 1st day of School.

Both boys continue to learn more everyday, to improve their language and to learn good behavioral skills. Both of their teachers have set up a color system, to indicate their behavior each day. Red is the best color they can get, and we have told them that if they can get Red everyday, that we will let them pick out a surprise at the end of the week. Diego did achieve this 2 weeks ago, so he was able to get a prize. We are hoping this will improve their listening and behavior skills in school. English is 100% in both boys, and Jeferson remembers very few Spanish words, and Diego knows a few more words, but not many more. Now that they have learned the English language, we have to get them to start studying Spanish, to keep up with their native language. Wow! I never thought that I would say they have to start learning Spanish!

We completed all the paperwork, in order for both Diego and Jeferson to be issued US Birth Certificates. We had our court hearing on October 6, 2009. They now have official US birth certificates, legally dropping their 2nd last name, as was required in Colombia.

Below is a picture of us in the courtroom with the Judge who approved our adoption in the US. It was interesting to actually be in the courtroom. Eric actually had to be sworn in and take the stand, accepting our responsibility as parents of the 2 boys.

Jeferson celebrated Birthday #5 on October 10. We celebrated in Michigan with Eric's family, as we also attended a wedding in Michigan on the same day. He had a "Buzz Lightyear" Party and invited about 9 other kids. The city of Norway, where Eric's family lives, happened to be having a parade and festival on the same day, so we attended the parade and participated in the kids activities in the morning. They had games and inflatable houses set up for the kids. Wow, it will be hard to top a parade for your birthday!

After, we went over to Auntie Sherry's house and had hot dogs, and cake, and opened presents. It turned out to be a great little party.

In preparation to Halloween, we visited a pumpkin farm and picked out pumpkins. We took a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins. Diego of course picked out the largest pumpkin in the patch.

Good thing we brought Daddy with us. We needed him to carry this pumpkin. We carved them up and roasted the seeds. Diego and Jeferson loved the cleaning and carving of the pumpkins. This is not a tradition in Colombia, so this was a new concept for them. I remember while we were in Colombia last year, that I couldn't find any pumpkins, so we purchased some gourds, and drew faces on them.

Below are pictures from "Boo at the ZOO". The zoo was open an evening for Halloween. They had light displays and many pumpkins lighting the walkways, and a hay bale maze for the kids

We went to several Halloween parties, so the boys got to wear their costumes a few times this year. Diego wore a Tranformers costume-Optimus Prime, and Jeferson wore his Batman costume again this year.

My superheroes had a great time Trick or Treating this year. I had to teach them the concept that you only go to houses with their lights on, and you say "Trick or Treat" and Thank you. The boys started out running from house to house, but as the night went on, they slowed way down. If someone came to the door before Jeferson would be able to ring the doorbell, he would ask them to close the door again, so he could ring the doorbell. I can't believe that people actually did this! He of course charmed them all! Now, my question is, "What do we do with all of this Candy?!" I remember when I was little, my brothers and sisters would trade candy with each other. Daddy of course tried to convince the boys to give him all the Snickers and Reeses Peanut butter cups.

So, things have been very busy for us. Diego and Jeferson are adjusting very well. They have learned to respect each other and us as well. Most importantly, we are now able to discipline them, and explain to them the reasons why when they do things they shouldn't be doing. They continue to keep us on our toes, with the things they learn everyday. Holidays take on a whole new perspective for us as well. We are still amazed at the energy that the boys have. We are truely blessed to have these 2 healthy and happy boys in our lives.


Joyce, Eric, Diego and Jeferson.

Family Day! (aka GOTCHA DAY)

As we look at these two beautiful boys- our hearts start to flutter with the excitement that Diego and Jeferson complete our family!

It is hard to believe that today is the official "Gotcha Day", and it has been 1 year since we met the boys, and Diego and Jeferson became a part of our family. We have decided that we are going to call this day "Family Day"and plan to celebrate this day each year.




First photos that we received of Diego and Jeferson. June 2008



Diego and Jeferson: 1 year later - June 2009


As we look back, we still can see those 2 little boys with big smiles, running into our arms, as we sat waiting anxiously to meet them. We exchanged huge hugs and many kisses. Those precious boys melted our hearts. This was the magical moment we had long waited for and the family that we had always dreamed of.

Wow! Have our lives changed! Our lives now cater to children's activities. We love it. We had so many years to do couple things, and now truely enjoy children's activities. (Well, at least for Joyce, as Eric has always shown his childlike tendencies). Joyce's concept of always having a clean house are gone! No matter how much she tries to accomplish this, the boys are not going to allow this. Our house is very much lived in: Fingerprints on EVERYTHING!!- windows, walls, mirrors, you name it, they are there. Thank goodness we have a dog to help clean up the food that falls on the floor during meal and snack times. Now, we are happy to just have things somewhat in order throughout the house. The one thing that has probably been the most surprising for us, is the loudness that 2 boys can create. We never thought about this. As all siblings do, Diego and Jeferson fight with each other, yell at each other, and when playing, they even speak very loudly. It is never quiet around our house, and I hope the neighbors enjoyed our quietness for so many years. We have dealt with many temper tantrums over the year, disobedience, not listening to what we ask, and of course their curiosity, testing their boundaries, and naughtiness. Oh well, "boys will be boys!"

However, all these difficult things are overshadowed with the love of these 2 little boys. They bring joy and laughter to our home. Just a simple "I love you!", "Mommy, you're pretty!", "Daddy, you are a good daddy!" or an "I am sorry I was sassy today" from the boys makes us forget all the obstacles we meet every day.
The boys pick flowers for mommy all the time, (yes, Diego even picked a cornstalk, roots and all, and brought it for mommy one day. He was so proud of himself for picking such a big plant!!) It is amazing to explore the world through the eyes of children.

The boys seem so happy, and comment all the time "We are a happy family, right?"
It is amazing to see how much they change everyday, how much they learn each day, how they have adjusted so well, and the amount of language that they are both speaking. The greatest difficulty thus far, has been the language barrier, and we are now at a point, where we are actually able to communicate with the boys. To actually have conversations with them, and to begin teaching them right from wrong.

We love their bright and beautiful smiles, their contagious giggles, and their curiousity in learning new things. We love to read books with them each night, and most of all, we love the snuggling, hugs and kisses, that we are showered with every day.

Thanks to everyone who has given us so much support over this past year. We are blessed to have such great families and friends.

There is nothing more precious than the love of children. Every obstacle in life seems minimal when we look at how much our family has been blessed!

Love, Joyce, Eric, Diego and Jeferson

June 27, 2009 "1st Brewers Baseball Game"

"Take me out to the ballgame!!!"

Diego and Jeferson had the opportunity to experience a professional Baseball Game. GO BREWERS!! They had such a great time. The stadium is awesome, and it has a children's area, where children can hit balls in the batting cage, race against a timer to home base, slide down "Bernie Brewers dugout slide", and also pitch balls. Jeferson has a great arm, and even hit a baseball. We think he is going to be our little baseball player. Hopefully by next summer he will be old enough to join a little league tee ball or baseball team.

We started out the day "tailgating" and grilled out brats, burgers, and hotdogs in the Brewers parking lot. It was also coincidental that it was the same game where the Brewers celebrated their Tribute to Hispanic Baseball players, so there was a Mariachi band that played instruments and sang some great Latin American songs. This was also the game where the Brewers played against San Francisco, which is the team that Edger Rentieriez, originally from Colombia plays on. It was fun for the boys to learn not only about baseball, but to also celebrate a little bit of their heritage.


Jeferson showing off his muscles, which as he says "is the reason he can really throw the baseball!"

Diego Running into homeplate. Kids can race against a clock and a cardboard figure of Corey Hart.

Jeferson with his Auntie Sherry.



Diego with his Godfather, Uncle Bob.

So many have commented about Jeferson wearing glasses.
Yes, when we took him to the doctor a few months back, they determined that his vision was poor enough to prescribe glasses for him. We think this is why he always watched TV with his head tilted back, as it would allow him to see clearly. Does anyone know how difficult it is to keep glasses on a very active 4 year old? He received his glasses on a Saturday morning, and on Sunday afternoon we were playing outside, and Jeferson walked up to mom, and said that he "doesn't want his glasses anymore!" Mommy noticed that they were not on his face, and asked where they were. Jeferson walked her to the front lawn, and pointed down into the grass. He said" they are scratched! I can't see out of them!" He picked them up and showed his mommy, and she noticed that they were so scratched, that the lenses were literally white from all the scratches. Jeferson took the glasses while playing on his hotwheel, and with the lenses down, scratched them back and forth across the driveway. He of course knew what he did was not good, so he told mommy about them right away. So, the first pair lasted about 28 hours!! The lenses did have a warranty on them, so the optical did replace them. Then about 2 weeks later, Jeferson and Diego were outside playing, (possibly fighting with each other), and Jeferson pulled off his glasses and squeezed so hard that he cracked one of the lenses. Not bad, within 2 weeks of getting glasses, he has now gone through his second pair. We had these replaced as well and tried again. It has now been about 4 weeks, and so far, we are doing well. No mishaps with the glasses, and he lets us know if we forget to put them on him every morning. We think they are good for him, and hope that he continues to wear them.

Keep checking back for more summer adventures. Our summer is going so fast.

Love, Eric, Joyce, Diego, and Jeferson

Minocqua, WI Camping Trip June 2009

We hope you are all enjoying your summer. We started out the summer with a one week camping trip to Minocqua. The boys loved it.
Camping was a new experience for them, but they lasted the whole week. Since Joyce has returned to work, she was only able to spend the first weekend, and then the following week
Thursday thru Sunday. Eric had some great helpers, with him though throughout the week.
Diego and Jeferson's Aunt Sherry camped from Friday until Tuesday, and their cousins, Marco and Jordan also camped with them over the weekend. The four boys play so well together. They all had such a great time, camping, fishing, swimming, catching bugs, roasting marshmallows, and whatever other trouble they could find to get into. And boy are they LOUD when they all get together. It is amazing the volume when they are all playing together.

Diego is taking a running start off of the dock and into the lake.

And JUMP!!

Hiding in the tent. Wonder what they are up to??

Fishing buddies.

The boys loved to sit around the campfire at night. They had a great time roasting marshmallows. I am not sure if they really liked the marshmallows, or if they just liked the flame when they started on fire!

Jeferson telling a story around the campfire. Both boys are great storytellers.

Cousin Jordan brought some sparklers with him, and this is the first sparkler for Diego. He was mesmerized by the sparkler.

Jeferson hanging out in the water.

THE THREE AMIGOS!!!! Diego (far left) with cousins, Jordan (middle) and Marco. They were told not to go in the water, but somehow they must not have heard the part of not getting wet.

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The four boys looking in the lake. I am not sure if they were trying to catch a fish, or looking for that fishing pole that they dropped in the water. Overall a pretty good week. The boys only lost 1 pole in the water!!

Jeferson and Diego, sharing fish stories.

The happy fishermen!

On Friday, Aunt Julie and cousins Max and Arianna, came to the campground to camp with us.

Below is Arianna with Jeferson overlooking Lake Minocqua.

On Friday night, we went to the Minoqua-Bats water ski show. One of the skiiers actually came to talk with the kids. They thought they were so cool! (We are not sure who the 5th child is, he was just sitting there, and then jumped in on our photo!)
Diego, Max, Jeferson and Arianna watching the skiiers.

Diego and Arianna, enjoying the show.

The boys would have probably spent the whole summer camping. They were very sad to have to go home. Jeferson started to call the camper his new house. Over all, the week went very well. We came home with 2 boys, and no trips to the Urgent Care! (Yes, those were Eric's 2 goals for the week!)

Many changes in our daily routine have happened over the past few months. Joyce has returned to working full time for a pharmaceutical company, called DDN. Both Diego and Jeferson have adapted well to their daily routines. Diego finished his first year in school, and will start summer school, next week. He will attend summer school in the morning, and then will go to an afterschool daycare program in the afternoons. Jeferson is going to a private, in home daycare provider full days. There are about 7 other kids there, and he really enjoys going there. He looks forward to going everyday, as he says, "his friends are waiting for him."

Both boys are really growing up so fast. Jeferson is almost 100% english speaking, and Diego is well on his way. His English language is taking a little longer to develop, but he is really learning and speaking more English everyday. We have known for a while that he really understands the language when someone is talking, and now he is starting to really talk as well. Both boys are speaking to each other in English as well. Now, we really know what they are scheming up. No more secret talk in Spanish!!

Happy Summer Everyone, we hope you are enjoying it as much as we are.

Love; Joyce, Eric, Diego and Jeferson