JUNE 03, 2009

I'm sorry I have fallen behind with posts, my apologies. Last month was the kids first camping outing. We took the boat and joined several friends at fish hook park. The kids ate smores every chance they had. I took both of them fishing and Dasha caught her first 2 fish. She was very proud, yet terrified by these slimy little creatures. Dima is beginning to lose interest, both times going, he has been the only one to catch nothing. The tube was a big hit. Dima went first with mom, but was still unsure. Dasha decided to give it a try, as soon as I put her life vest on she jumped on and wanted to go alone(she has no fear, good and bad). Dima is becoming a very skilled interpreter. While talking with Svetlana last time in Russian over the phone, he was translating the conversation for me in Sign Language. He has become very fluid in translating between the three different languages now. Dima and I are converting a 1974 KZ400 Kawasaki into a cafe/bobber motorcycle. He is very impressed by motorcycles that we have in the US compared to what he has previously seen. We also recently went flying with a co-worker/pilot instructor. We flew a round trip to Ontario, OR. and back. Dima got his turn flying and is eager to go again. Today we took Dasha's training wheels off her bike. She is very proud that she can ride her bike the same as her big brother. The kids are starting to get excited for our vacation in California/Disneyland. With all the traveling Ive done over the last 2 years we are getting our airfare free. Of course now Ive hit my elite status my travel has cut way back(bummer, no more free first class). Dasha will likely be having her tonsils removed shortly. They have gotten so bad, she is really having trouble sleeping. I would expect that to happen within a week or two.

APRIL 06 2009

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CANADA VACATION

April 06 2009

CANADA VACATION

March 30, 2009

The kids started school in February and are both doing very well. Dasha is in the deaf program in Pasco school district. We thought that it may be a little early for her but the association with the other deaf kids has done wonders in helping her communication come along. She is conversational now with sign language and seems to get frustrated less now that she can express herself. She is always excited to share the new things she has learned. She is also starting to read English.

Dima also started school at the same time in the Russian program also in Pasco. He has struggled with the addition of home work, something he did not have previously. But has amazed his teacher with the rate he has absorbed both English and Sign Language. When I talked to her she was shocked that he had only lived in America for a couple months. She commented on how he has very little accent in his English. She has also mentioned how there has been regular sign language lessons by Dima in class. I would guess by the end of April Dima will be fluent in English.

I have started a new job, still working on Wind Turbines. The pay is nothing to write home about, but the short drive is very nice. Every other weekend is now a 4 day weekend for me, also very nice for the whole family.

April 3-6 will be our first real vacation as a family in Vancouver B.C.

January 29 2009

The kids both had dental surgery at the hospital today. They both were put under general anesthesia because of the large amount of work to be done. Everything went smooth and they are both quickly getting back to normal.

Dasha now has her hearing aides and they seem to have made her more social. She is very proud of the pink and white ear molds she picked out. We have noticed she is much more vocal. Dima has also become more vocal now that he knows that its even easier to irritate his sister.

Additional pics

January 19 2009

The kids have been doing surprisingly well adjusting. Both have gained some weight and for the most part are eating well. They are also quickly warming up to all the family and friends. Dasha recently had her hearing tested and she tested moderately severe, to severely hard of hearing. Her hearing range starts around 50db for her best frequency. She will be fitted for hearing aids likely this week or next and is expected to do very well with them. Dasha also recently started gymnastics and is doing awesome at that. She wants to go every day unfortunately its only once a week. Our furniture has been taking quite a beating with all the flips and rolls. We discovered from day one, she will be the one going to the hospital for stitches and broken bones on a regular basis. She has absolutely no fear and will attempt any thing. Our first day back in the U.S we stopped at grandma and grandpa Conrad's house on the way home. Within 15min she fell and split her eye open and we had to take her in for stitches. She has been doing really good at understanding sign language but recently has started using it to communicate back to us. She even attempts to explain unknown signs with gestures and expression. Dima has a new bike and with in a few days was able to ride it without any training wheels. He has been picking up both Sign language and English very quickly.

DECEMBER 08 2008

After a VERY long court session at approximately 12am December 08 2008 PST Sara and I became the proud and legal parents of Dmitry Viktorovich Hansen and Darya Viktorovna Hansen.

Additional pics

DECEMBER 07 2008

Well tomorrow at 10 am is the big day. For you back home it will be Sunday 4pm. After court we will receive all our papers and can fax that back up north. And we will likely receive the kids Wed morning when the train arrives in Yuzhno. (Tues 1pm PST.) Thursday we will fly out to Moscow. Friday and Monday paper work, then fly home Tuesday arriving in Seattle Tuesday night around 9:15pm. Yesterday Svetlana took us up on top of the near by ski resort mountain. They had a new gondola recently installed. Wow! It was a very beautiful view of town and of the island. We could vaguely see the Sea of Japan. Wow! It was also kind of cold. There was a strong wind blowing in from northern Siberia. We quickly ran around the top of the mountain grabbing pictures and ran back to the gondola. Alicia was also very impressed with the bamboo growing up on top. That’s the green stuff growing in one of the pictures. At the half way point up the hill there was a point you could get off the gondola where they had a fancy restaurant and some other buildings. We went to the restaurant and the men were wearing kilts. I’m not sure if this was by choice or not…. but a very nice restaurant none the less. The waiter mentioned something about a hot Merlot drink and you can imagine the girls were all over that. And maybe your not impressed by I was thoroughly. The jasmine tea I ordered was actually fresh (as in green and living) jasmine. One other very important note… notice the hockey rink I found up north!