Fall 2009

As usual, it's been a fun filled autumn in the Kalan house. Janko turned seven years old, while Anamarija turned two. As the years pass, I can already see that October will be always a month when I reflect on how fast time flies since Janko, the oldest, and Anamarija, the youngest, both have birthdays. Take a look at what we have been up to........

Pumpkin Carving with Ziga and Star Ata

Anamarija picking out her earrings

The end result!!

Thanksgiving Cuddles with Teta Ali

Anamarija turns TWO!!!

Matevz showing his monkey bar skills at the school

The birthday girl

Attacking stric Jurij

Yummy cake!!

Our Anamarija showing her dimples!!

Fall Soccer

Hard to see, but Janko is on the right side on the very end

The Jayhawks-Matevz's team

Their biggest fan--Anamarija!!

Here are a few pics from the boys' first soccer season. Janko was very serious about improving his game and Matevz was basically interested in snack time :) But all in all, they had a lot of fun!!

Basement Project Update

The kitchenette area

The boys helping out

Action shot of tiling

The office or playroom

The Bedroom

Here are some updated pics of the basement. The carpet will be installed this week and then it's the trim, the counters/cabinets for the kitchenette, the bathroom toilet and vanity, and the doors!! We are getting there!!

First Day Success!!

The 2009-2010 school year started out on a great note in the Kalan house! When I got up this morning at 6:50, I found Matevz at the kitchen table with his uniform on and eating his breakfast. I hadn't heard a thing, which is highly unusual. After telling him "Dobro Jutro" and asking him if he wanted to try any of oci's zucchinni bread, he replied, "thanks mommy, but I already had some." For everyone who knows how Matevz usually wakes up (with his demand for s certain cereal that we are inevitably out of and it just goes downhill from there-fast), this was quite the nice shock for me! He finished his breakfast and was grabbing for his backpack by 7:05am. He was ready for kindergarten!! Janko was a little slower to get going, but he was ready for first grade too. His highlight of the day was getting to have lunch with Fr. Rich and of course, playing soccer again at recess with his buddies. We celebrated the day with slushies from Sonic on the way home. If only the next two hundred mornings of school will be as smooth as today!! I can hope, at least!

Janko and Matevz's First Sleepover

Last Friday night, July 24, 2009, the boys were invited to the Thomas' house to spend the night with their son Nicholas and 3-4 other boys. Here is a quick picture that I took as they were getting loaded into the car. Obviously, I chose the worst possible location for a pic because to the sun, but I was in a hurry and had to capture something to remember the day by. It was reported that after pizza, a water balloon fight, swimming, and a movie that they made it until 12:30. Needless to say, when I picked them up at 11:00am they were exhausted!

Canada/Cleveland Trip-July 2009

Polona & Janko cheezin' for the camera!

Niagara Falls

Taking care of his little sister

Watching the wedding in the park next to Lake Erie

Throwing rocks in the lake

We had a great time on our trip to Canada and Cleveland. We left on Tuesday, June 30 and drove all night, arriving at Windsor, Canada (just across the border in Detroit) and met up with Silvija and Gorazd. Silvija and the rest of the band were in a parade celebrating Canada Day. After the parade, we went to the local Slovene lodge for lunch, dancing, and listening to the band. In the early evening, we headed to Toronto. On Thursday, we walked around Toronto and ended the day with a swim in the hotel pool. On Friday around noon, we said good-bye to Silvija and Gorazd and headed to Niagara Falls. We stopped at a great little town close to the falls, named Niagara on the Lake. There were adorable, little shops and gallaries. We even watched a wedding in the park next to the lake. Friday evening, we headed to Cleveland. On Saturday morning, we met up with Tadeja, Luka, and Matej. We enjoyed the afternoon at the Slovene Pristava, then had dinner with them before hitting the road that evening back to Kansas. All in all, it was a great, great trip. The kids were real troopers in the car and we were so happy that Star Ata joined us for our travels. Additionally, we were blessed to see dear friends from Slovenia and make some new ones along the way!