Fishing

This morning we took the boys fishing for the first time. We headed out to Lake Milton up in the Y-town area and stayed there for about an hour. Alex was able to catch a fish within the first 5 minutes or so. This was perfect cause he didn't really have the attention span to do much more. Oskar hung in there, kept trying and then eventually he reeled in his first fish as well. Here are some pictures of their labor.

Texas

We have been in Texas for a couple of days. It has been a very good time for our whole family. Our flight to Texas was dealyed by about 6 hours so we were stuck in the airport. That was the toughest part of the trip after the travel to the states. We are staying with Uncle Don and Aunt Beth, two awesome hosts, in their georgous house in Highland Hills, Texas. We have been really spoiled since their arrival, great food, including bagels and lots of other stuff and great coffee. Yesterday we went to the Fort Worth Zoo which is one of the top in the country. The kids had a great day and really enjoyed seeing all the animals. THe zoo has amazing habitats where the animals can walk around and you can look at them unobstructed. After that we went to Joe T. Garcia's, a famous Mexican outdoor resturant in Fort Worth. This place was huge, about a city block they told us and it was a simple menu. Enchaladas or Fajitas, thats it. So we ordered and enjoyed it. Kids did okay, but I think the boys are hungry for some of Nanna potatoes or milk soup.

Today we go to the birthday part of Matthew and Aden, my cousins twin boys who turn one. They have a great pool with a slide and hot tub and its like paradise cause its all natural stone and feels like a spa.

This weekend we will go to church with my family here and I look forward to visiting there again.

Heading for Texas!

The Hamers arrived safely to the states almost a week ago. We had great flights and only a 3 hour delay in Chicago. It was too bad, cause we were hanging with Jen and Abigail Cupery and left to try to get stand by, only to not make it and then get delayed several time and have our gate changed over and over. So we just bunked down in a quiet gate, let the kids sleep and then moved to our final game in time to board.

I spoke at Grace Ridge, this is the church my parents helped start. It was a great morning. Loved the people, a mix of old familiar faces and some new ones. Some of my relatives came to hear me speak so it was cool to see them. That night we had a picnic with the leadership and some of the small groups and I shared about EST and Risttee and English Camps and all that stuff. It was a great night, answered some questions and hopefully planted some seeds for the future and we might see Grace Ridge in Tartu someday.

One Monday I headed to the Social Security Office because to get my American License renewed I needed some documents that I left in Estonian that prove I am who I am. So I sat there in downtown Youngstown with all kids of people but mostly pour people. This is a piece of America that people don't usually see or know exists, but the reality is there are a lot of people in cities like Youngstown that are struggling to survive. So I passed my written exam and then when I get back I will take the driving.

Today we fly to take a week long vacation in Dallas with my Uncle Don and Aunt Elizabeth, and their three sons Brian, Tim and Scott whom we spent many summers with growing up. They are all married and have kids so its going to be pretty insane. Today we fly with 5 kids, six adults, but its non stop. Also, Jordan, aka, J-shizzo is taking the fam to the airport, so that's cool!

6 steps

Yesterday Nora took 6 steps! She took 4, then squatted down, smile and laughed for me, then took two more and fell. It was pretty cool and while in the states she should be walking a lot.

Leaving on a jet plane!

Today we start our journey to the States. At 17:24 we head to Tallinn on the train and stay the night up there. Then we are on a 7:00 flight to Stcokholm, then a 2 hour layover, where we will most certainly buy some gummy bears cause they are cheap and so goooood! Then we are on that flight for 8 hours which will be an adventure. We then have a 6 hour layover in Chicago. We will hopefully meet up with Jen and Abigail Cupery. The Cuperys were in Estonia for 6 years and are now living in the Chicago are, so we hopefully say hello and visit with them a little. Then we take a 1 hour flight to Cleveland. The biggest problem is about half way through our wait in Chicago, it will be the normal bed time for the kids, so that last flight could be a major challenge. I think we will try to find a quiet corner and just sleep for a while with them. Then my folks, Marty and Sue, will be waiting in Cleveland for us. Should be an adventure!

Another theory exam passed!

This morning with all my paper work in hand I headed to the DMV or ARK as they call it here. Noah was not there if you interested. I went in and then waited, I guess this is an international standard. I registered and then was able to take the exam 1 hour later. I got through the 30 questions, only missing one question about what do you if your driving at night, in bad visibility and certain lights stop working, at what point do you have to stop and no longer drive. The main problem was they asked about the "dipped lights" I have no idea what those were, so I missed that question and then when I finished the guy who was running the exam told me he didn't know what they were asking either. Anyway, I then got to wait for 1 hour till I could register for my driving exam which will take place on June 25th after we get back. They have about a 1 week waiting time, but since we head out of Tartu thursday evening on the train to Tallinn, then I can't finish it. Thats not a real big deal, I will just hope for the best when I get back.

Just 3 more days and we arrive to the states! The boys are totally excited and ready to go, they think we are leaving about every 30 minutes. I think its going to be a fun trip.

Driving Test!

I took my driving school theory exam today and passed. I missed only 4 of the 60 questions, and they were all tricky kinda questions, so I have finished driving school. Today I get my certificate and stuff, then I can go to the DMV tomorrow and see how much I can get done before heading to the States friday morning.