Always fun to be had . . .

. . . .whether inside or outside

The kids created a little "village" at the top of the stairs one day, complete with their own personalized "homes". They played in their village for quite some time and even happily picked up the big mess :-)

Hmmm . . . . does anyone else notice the progression of quality of "homes"? Luckily, neither Isaac nor Hannah seemed to notice their homes were a bit shabbier than Madisons :-)

The hill just outside our house has been so fun to have. The kids love it and it has entertained them (all of us actually) many times! Hannah and I have squealed our way down this hill many times, while the kids sail past us on their skiis :-)

This sled doesn't slide down the hill too well - more for pulling her on walks but sometimes I pull her up and down the hill (when I am busy taking pictures)

Look how serious he is :-) I guess it takes concentration to make it down the hill :-)

Madison, imagining she at the slopes sailing down a huge hill :-)

Winter Activities

The fun activities this winter have been skiing, sledding and ice skating. We found skates at the thrift store and a used sports store (YEAH) and they have been happily visiting the nearby pond. Both of them had only skated once before but picked it up like old pros :-) Hannah has an awesome sled that she loves to ride in and get swirled around on the ice (fun except when she gets dumped!)

I love quotes

I read these two quotes today at Of First Importance and loved them. If you like reading what great pastors and theologians (current and long ago) have said you will love this site too.

"We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”

—The Nicene Creed


"Oh! rejoice in the richness of our salvation! When the Lord pardoned our sins, he did not pardon half of them, and leave some of them on the book—but with one stroke of the pen he gave a full receipt for all our debts.

When we went down into the fountain filled with blood, and washed, we did not come up half-clean, but there was no spot nor wrinkle upon us—we were white as snow.”

—Charles Spurgeon, “The Joy of Salvation”

Skiing in the Backyard

The kids are loving the cross country skis they got for Christmas. They can ski in our back yard and the field, which has been awesome. There is even a hill to make it more exciting! The first thing Madison did when she went out to try her skis was head straight for the hill. She lined herself up and sailed down it. It was funny, so her. She loves thrills and never worries about potentially getting hurt :-)

Isaac did great for never skiing before. We thought for sure he would tire out quickly but he kept going and going. So cute!

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas - nice and relaxing. We spent Christmas Eve home with just the five of us and Christmas Day at Matt and Donnas. The kids were so excited to open presents, I don't think we would've been able to hold them off another day! Each present filled them with sheer delight. It was fun to watch. I found several gifts for the kids throughout the year at the thrift store. It was so funny because Hannah remembered one of them (a cute purple elephant flashlight) and when she opened it she said, "Hey, this is from the thrift store!" She had played with it there and then I snuck it into my basket but I never expected she would remember it :-) So funny!

Christmas with Great Grandma

The kids were lucky to have almost 3 weeks of time with Grandma Pat (Matt's mom) while she was visiting Matt and Donna. She left a couple days before Christmas but they celebrated a little early with her. They all got great hats and fleeces, which they loved!