Alex Update For Ivan & Snezhana

I tired to email some pictures but it was too big of a file so I thought I'd just post an update of Alex's in 2012 for you.

After Christmas last year we went to Long Beach California:

Celebrating Ukraine Christmas - at the only Ukrainian restaurant we could find in Utah. We are with a few kids that were also adopted from his orphanage. 

(Alex said my borscht was better than this restaurant - he said their borscht taste like orphanage borscht) 

Alex decorated my birthday cake:

In March we went to Disneyland to see Austin and Devree sing with their choir:

Sledding and hanging out in a snow cave:

 Easter:
(Yes, I made this Paska!) 

Easter Sunday:

Scouts:

 Fishing:

 Choir Concert:

 Just a cute picture:

 Wisdom teeth out:

 Kick Ball:

 Dominican Republic Trip:

Snow Cone:

Another Fish:

Shooting - he was with Austin and James:

Hanging at the park:

 Alex's Birthday:

 He learned how to ride a motorcycle this year:

 Camping with cousins:

 Pirate swords with Alex - I was not thrilled they bought these!

Thanksgiving Last Week:

Tonights picture after putting up the tree:

He will be playing basketball again this year and joining the swim team.

He is 5'5" (He and Rylee are the exact same height as of tonight!) 

He still loves tomato juice, fruit, and candy - of course.

He is getting decent grades but struggles to stay up with his class. 

He reads very well but is still below grade level.

He has a problem with video games and is slowly learning that there is more to life than an electronic screen - and that is one of the reasons he'll be joining the swim team next month.

He talks of Ukraine often and his fondest memories are of you, Ivan and the good brother you were to him.

He still talks about Snezhana's cooking and how good it was. 

We sure love him and we're working hard to help him grow up to be a good man, a responsible citizen and a kind person.