It has been a while since we have posted on this blog, and quite a bit has changed. We moved at the end of August into the basement of a house. Our new neighborhood is fairly quiet and there are some parks nearby where we go for walks. The basement was renovated just before we moved in, and the first few days that we were here they were putting on the final touches...like the front door...but it all worked out and its a pretty nice place to live now.
Kristiina gave birth to a baby girl on October 1st. The birth went well and the baby is great. Her name is Miia, and she looks like a baby. People like to tell us that she looks like one of her parents, but the jury is still out on which one she will look like. She has lots of dark hair, but it is starting to turn more and more blond.
Mark graduated from BYU at the end of August and has been working since then. He has been working at the same job that he did as a student, and has been looking around for other opportunities. We hope to move back to Europe soon, so he is also looking at jobs and graduate schools in Europe.
Kristiina was on maternity leave for most of the fall. In December she returned to work part time at JC Penney's. When she is gone to work in the evenings Mark and Miia get to spend time together. Kristiina is working on finishing her last few classes through independent study and will graduate soon.
We had a good Christmas together. Miia seemed to enjoy all of the lights and sounds of the season. We've had a cold and snowy spell the past few weeks (nothing compared to what we endured in Finland) but we've been snug here in our little home. Happy New Year to all, and we hope the 2008 brings you peace and prosperity!
