This lucky girl got to enjoy birthday lunch with Grandma!

Monday evening supported our friend who has been a high school girls varsity soccer coach for four years now. It was a close and fun game with great sportsmanship! With enough snacks we think Sasha would spectate any sport :P

Sasha & I love visiting Harley. She helped groom him and while on a walk, Sasha found this gate to take a short rest.

We rejoice for Jesus has risen! What a wonderful day to be at church and spend time with family. Sasha hunted for Easter eggs with cousins and her favorite place to be is in Grandpa's arms.

Sasha did great in her first swim lesson!

There almost isn't an evening spent downstairs where Sasha and I (Kris) don't pick up hockey sticks. I love teaching her how to hold the stick and look at the net. Her cellys (celebrations) are so funny to watch!

Sasha hasn't zoomed off on her strider tricycle yet but she had fun trying on a new path. She preferred riding in her pack more with snacks and water!

Having the privilege to stay home with Sasha, I think an important part of child development is time outdoors! While we have a swingset in our backyard, she and I walk to the playground nearly everyday. She joyfully says, "Weeeeee!" as she goes down the slide.

Sasha had fun with our informal lunch on the couch while we watched the women's college basketball championship game this afternoon. I love having neices play the game and do their hair like so and so player. I can't wait for Sasha to have her own role models and learn so much while playing sports.

While Samantha worked a Saturday shift, Sasha & I met my family at an Italian restaurant. Here were the pistacio cannolis we shared for dessert.

Samantha enjoyed a great horse ride this morning. Harley was so excited to get out on the trails!

When Kris picks the cuisine for date night, 9/10 times it'll be SUSHI! It was delicious!

I love and am so thankful for these little gold 'paws' that make the cutest wet tracks as we play in puddles in the backyard! We can't wait for another child to join our family and life adventures!

Woo hoo! Getting wild with toddler storytime and Firehouse Subs :)

We had the joy of welcoming a new baby in our friend circle. The little guy was born safe and sound three weeks ago. We let the new parents settle in and brought them a meal at their home. Sasha was certianly intrigued with him and all his tiny sounds.

Celebrating my (Samantha's) Irish heritage with the traditional corned beef and cabbage. Of course while wearing green!

We enjoyed a matinee hockey game with family Sunday afternoon. It was so nice outside we walked to the park after the game for the kids to play. Sasha loves her Ciocia (Aunt in Polish) Nikki!

Today Sasha had so much fun with her friend, Kaddy. Kaddy is just two months older and lives two houses away. They giggled and played on the slides together!

When a friend travels to Guatemala and brings back fresh roasted, whole bean coffee, Saturday morning calls for fluffy pancakes and shots of espresso with our little Gaute girl!

Though it doesn't happen often enough, we enjoyed a day date in the mountains yesterday! We've been skiing/snowboarding together since one of our first dates so it's a fun place for us to return to. Following each other through the trees, laughing at each other with small falls, and enjoying the big views; we're always thankful for a day on the slopes.

Sasha's Babcia (Grandma) is a magician in the kitchen and lovingly shared soup with us. To say Sasha liked it is an understatement. haha

Kris had one of his grandmother's paintings re-framed and our friend did an incredible job! The artwork is an original from Ukraine so it's very speical to the family.

Some call it crazy but we call it life! And we wouldn't have it any other way. I (Kris) played pond hockey with some high school friends Saturday morning and then we hopped right into our neice's first birthday party. Lucy Goosey is docile, sweet and cute as a button!

Sadly our family is on their way back home. We had a great time and can't wait until next time!

God blessed us with sunshine and great memories today on Evergreen Lake!

More of Samantha's family came from Iowa for a snowy week in Denver. We love having Sasha make memories and bond with all the family. Today we went on a hike in Golden and are headed to Evergreen tomorrow.

Sasha had so much fun making and handing out sweet Valentine's to her family, friends, neighbors and strangers. haha! She made chocolate goodies and an extra special Valentine for her Daddy too. Shh!

Grandpa loves snuggling his granddaughters!

Every February our family spends a long weekend in the mountains together. Snowflakes, movies and hot cocoa make the weekend unforgettable!

When Kris hosts, Kris cooks!
Prime Rib, mashed potatoes, fresh rolls, oh my!

Even though it's winter, we still enjoy fresh air at the park! Grandpa & Grandma love the short walk from our house to the park where we can see the entire front range.

We had so much fun hosting Grandpa & Grandma for a few days! Grandpa calls her "Pip Squeak" or "Half Pint," haha we'll see if it sticks. It was a sweet, sweet time together.

We had dinner with our neighbors last night. We've gone back and forth hosting each other for years now! They have two golden retrievers whom are called "the girls" and Sasha is referred to as "their toddler" haha. We LOVE having them in our lives and are excited to watch their friendship grow.

We have two more nephews with winter birthdays that are often celebrated together. It was a wintry day outside but cozy inside with all the family together.

My sister sent me a song she came across online this morning written by an adoptive mom. I've listened to it about 100 times already. All the lyrics are beautiful; one of my favorite lines is "we think of you (birth mom) everyday, you're in her heart..."
We are praying for you now and always.

Samantha and I love the opportunity to grow and raise our family alongside other friends and families. Saturday we celebrated our friend's son's first birthday. Naturally, it was Avalanche hockey themed. Getting a picture of one toddler is difficult; capturing two little ones feels nearly impossible.

Today Kris taught a youth hockey lesson while Sasha & I (Samantha) took Grandpa & Grandma to the airport for their trip to New Zealand! Babcia (Grandma in Polish) had a small gift for Baby #2. She loves to shop which is so sweet and thoughtful! Then I took the afternoon to prep baby food. I make most of Sasha's food and seeing her spot in the freezer full makes my heart happy and thankful!

Though our night life looks a little different than it used to, when Sasha went to bed, Kris and I made cookies and listened to music to enjoy a Friday night together! We tried a world famous cookie recipe from a New York bakery.

We bought a new sofa for our living room. Sasha has discovered a whole new world from the downstairs window!

Happy New Year! We're full of smiles and resolutions here as we wind down from all the holiday fun.

Merry Christmas! One of Sasha's gifts was a baby doll so she can be all the more ready for her baby brother or sister.

Christmas Eve is Kris' favorite day of the year. The family gathers for an afternoon and evening full of classic movies, Ukrainian feast, and presents under the tree!

Sasha's cousin celebrated his 3rd birthday at a children's tumble house. Sasha went up and down the slide about 1,592 times and still wanted more! Everyone was all smiles!

Today we enjoyed an indoor pool together! We all love the water and are excited to introduce Sasha to the ocean.

Kris accompanies a children's choir for a Christmas Recital each year. He plays any instrument needed! We can't wait for Sasha to participate in the years to come. 

We love Christmas time and soak up all the lights and festivities! I love the twinkle in Sasha's eyes!

Sasha & I took a quick trip to attend a friend's baby shower! We look forward to all the memories as the babies grow up together.

Very thankful for FAMILY. We can't wait to be a family of four!

While we were with Samantha's parents we opened Christmas presents early. Once we got back to CO these two "kids" were enjoying them immediately! As he loves to cook, Kris got a large cast iron and Sasha got a ball pit for these active toddler years.

We had a great week of vacation visiting Samantha's family. It was full of cousin time and even a traditional fish dinner with Great Grandpa D!

We took family pictures around Sasha's birthday. This was the first time we ever included our pet horse, Harley.

Our second nursery is ready! I (Samantha) handmade the hot air balloon decoration just for Baby.