Zack is a laid back nice guy. He grew up in Northwest Washington State learning to cut wood, fish, canoe, play sports and work hard. He played drums in the marching band, earned his eagle scout and played football and track. After high school, Zack served a church mission to Honduras and learned to speak Spanish fluently, then went back to school for a while, became a volunteer firefighter and eventually became a Federal Law Enforcement Agent. He enjoys his job and is happy to be able to provide for our family. These days you’ll find him teaching himself how to play the guitar, drumming on a practice pad, listening to music, working in the yard, drooling over trucks for sale or (mostly) playing with the boys and helping out around the house.
My immediate family includes: my dad John, mom Cindy, older sisters Alicia and Jessica and younger brother Cody. My ethnicity on both sides includes: English, Irish, Scottish, Danish, German and French. Growing up we were a close family and had a lot of extended family very close to us. I grew up on the same street as my Grandparents (my Dad's parents), Great Grandma Ella, Uncle Jeff (my Dad's brother) and his family including three cousins. I loved visiting with my grandparents and playing with my cousins. My parents are both school teachers so they had the summers off. We spent lots of time working in the yard and around the house together. We would also go camping together and go on family road trips. One of my favorite trips was when we went to Yellowstone on the way to drop my oldest sister off at college in Idaho. My sisters and their families still live a few miles away from my parents in our hometown. My brother lives in New York and hopes to someday direct on Broadway. Everyone in my family is really happy we are adopting again.
Julie Julie is the creative one. She grew up in Southwest Washington State dancing ballet and jazz, doing gymnastics, playing soccer and the piano, reading, drawing and doing other kinds of art, and being a smarty pants (ok being nerdy and doing good in school). She was also active in marching band by playing the clarinet and as drum major her junior and senior years. She went to college and earned her Bachelors in Art (with an emphasis in graphic design) and worked for a while in that industry. Now she has a small home business doing design and photography. Julie enjoys anything outdoors, singing, learning to play the ukulele and spending time with friends. Most of her time though is spent caring for and playing with the boys and working around the house.
About Julie's family: (written by Julie)
My family includes(ed): my dad Chas, mom Mary Ann (passed away in 2006) and twin brother Matt. My ethnicity on my Dad's side is Hawaiian, Portuguese, Chinese, Irish and English. On my mom's side I have English, Irish and German. Growing up we were a close knit family since we didn't live near many relatives. My favorite memories from growing up are of our family camping trips each summer, usually to the Oregon Coast at a place called Nehalem Bay. We would walk the beach, go biking, hiking, kayaking, crabbing, roast marshmallows, bbq steak, and spend lots of time talking and playing games. Another favorite memory of growing up was when we were able to go visit my dad's side of the family in Hawaii every few years. Those trips were always really special. Currently, my family stays in close contact over the phone and Skype although we live in different states. We try to make at least one trip each year to see each other, usually during the summer or the holiday season. Both my Dad and my brother are very excited we are adopting again... they do a great job as Grandpa Chas and Uncle Matt.
My family includes(ed): my dad Chas, mom Mary Ann (passed away in 2006) and twin brother Matt. My ethnicity on my Dad's side is Hawaiian, Portuguese, Chinese, Irish and English. On my mom's side I have English, Irish and German. Growing up we were a close knit family since we didn't live near many relatives. My favorite memories from growing up are of our family camping trips each summer, usually to the Oregon Coast at a place called Nehalem Bay. We would walk the beach, go biking, hiking, kayaking, crabbing, roast marshmallows, bbq steak, and spend lots of time talking and playing games. Another favorite memory of growing up was when we were able to go visit my dad's side of the family in Hawaii every few years. Those trips were always really special. Currently, my family stays in close contact over the phone and Skype although we live in different states. We try to make at least one trip each year to see each other, usually during the summer or the holiday season. Both my Dad and my brother are very excited we are adopting again... they do a great job as Grandpa Chas and Uncle Matt.
Kale
Kale now 7! He is such a fun part of our family. He loves to swim, jump on the trampoline, read, play soccer, play the wii and play with his brother. He loves school and just started karate! He talks all the time about wanting another sibling.
About Kale's Birth family:
Kale was born in Nebraska on November 15, 2007. Both of his birthparents are of Hispanic descent. We have kept in contact with his birthmother, birthfather and their families since Kale's birth through emails, phone calls, blog posts, photos, cards and have had a handful of visits. If you would like her email address for support, to ask her about her experience with adoption, or to just ask her about us, she has happily given her consent for us to give that to you. (all you gotta do is ask us for it :)
Makoa is a super sweet easy going little guy. He is almost 4 years old. His favorite things to do are: eat, swim, play with legos, play games and play with his brother. He really wants another baby in the family too!
Makoa was born in California on September 19, 2011. He is half caucasian / half Hawaiian. We have kept in contact with his birthmother and family since Makoa's birth through emails, phone calls, blog posts, photos, cards and visits. If you would like her email address for support, to ask her about her experience with adoption, or to just ask her about us, she has also happily given her consent for us to give that to you. (once again all you gotta do is ask us for it! :)