Winter Wonderland

Winter has officially arrived in Iowa. Not only outside, but in as well. We decided to put up the Christmas tree early this year because of our schedules the next couple of weeks. I love being able to do it as a family and we didn't see a time to do that until after the Christmas musical (which is much too late for my liking). The kids did a great job decorating and really love looking at all the ornaments and asking the story behind each of them.

Yes, it finally snowed and the kids had a great time playing in it. It was a little sticky so they made snowballs and pulled each other around on the sleds. They are finally at an age where they pretty much get themselves dressed in all of their snow apparel. I am asked to help with a zipper here and there, but that's about it. AAAhhhhh!! It's good to be in that spot!

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Updates

I realize it's been a while, but I don't have too much to report. Andy has been pretty busy as we head into the holiday season. He is a very hard worker and really puts his best into what he does. He is very talented and loves his job. Knowing all that helps me to get through these busy seasons. And I know that he would much rather be at home with us. The boys have been doing great in school. We had conferences a couple of weeks ago, and the teacher had wonderful things to say about both of them. They both have made some great friends at school and are especially enjoying recess (what boy doesn't???). They are practicing writing their letters and quite a few times a day ask me how to spell things out so they can write them down. Connor has gone right for the big words like elephant and possibilities. Because he is left-handed he has a hard time remembering which direction a word goes, but we are starting to see improvement already. Kaelynn continues to be a wonderful little girl. She is in a precious stage right now! She has taken to her daddy again. (She went through a period of about 6 months where she really didn't want to have anything to do with him. It broke daddy's heart.) But we are out of that and she is starting to wrap him around her little finger :) (In a good way) In case you were wondering- yes Violet is still around. She mentions her quite a few times a day. She LOVES being a mommy to her dolls and loves to play house with the boys. I continue to keep busy with all of this and more. I did get a few Christmas decorations up last weekend. I know it's not even Thanksgiving, but I love the way garland and lights look on the top of our cupboards!!! We hope you all are doing well!

Counting our blessings...

I found a great idea on FamilyFun.com and am very excited about it. I made a poster with a turkey on it and cut out several feathers. After dinner we each write down something that we are thankful for and put it on the turkey. The kids have loved it! Some of the answers we have gotten are: mommy and daddy :), Jesus living in my heart (from Connor on the first night), a house to live in, family, the gift of music, toys we have to play with, good hunting days (guess who wrote that one...), and food that fills our tummies. I look forward to each day and having the kids really think about all we are truly blessed with. We have so much to be thankful for!!!!

Fall thoughts.....

Fall back!!! Ah the sound of it is music to me ears... or at least it will be in about 5+ years. Carson seems to have a time clock in his body that just does not adjust well to the time changes. He has now been getting up at 5:30am. AAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!! And they are off school this week!!! That makes for one long day!!! I'm trying to think of as many crafty, creative ideas to get us through the week as smoothly as possible. I think I've used a few too many exclamation points in this entry already :) Halloween night was a success again this year. Connor was an ice-fisherman (although he was mistaken quite a few times for a coal-miner). Carson was a cowboy, and Kaelynn was an Iowa State cheerleader. We have very generous neighbors who give out the "big" candy bars, so we now have 9 regular-sized candy bars in addition to all of the other candy we received. We still have candy from the last parade we went too as well. Sugar high anyone???????????