We’ve had two days of rain and the kids are bursting with energy. So we built an indoor obstacle course!
Happy New Year!
Here’s to life in the new year!
If you would like to read our Christmas newsletter click here.
Stay posted to follow our adventures as we learn and grow in Christ!
Christmas party!
Iris turns one with Christmas cookies for her cake…
and caroling for her party!
Many onlookers help her unwrap her gifts.
Cousin Heidi, friend Evelyn and the birthday girl.
Iris is a bookaholic just like her big siblings. 
She loves to be outside and eats sticks and dirt.
She always makes the cutest crinkle nose grin.
She’s learning to help around the house.
And she’s learning to mix and stir in the sandbox.
Tall enough to enjoy the piano.
Enjoys a ‘game’ with Ivy – don’t you love baby laughs?
This little one has changed much in the last year – kind of hard to think back to that helpless newborn when I watch her run around with the big kids. I’m glad to watch the development day by day, the growing and learning, the little things that tickle her humor. One of the perks of motherhood is getting to know these little people like no one else!
Happy birthday little cutie!
A special Thanks
Today I am particularly grateful for the quick arrival of a tiny bundle of joy fours years ago. Flora has blessed our life with a constant reminder to observe and enjoy all things beautiful. 
Two weeks ago we celebrated her life along with her birthday buddy and cousin, Jenny. Being so close to Thanksgiving we planned an Indian birthday party. My Mom, two sisters and I had a fun time preparing a playscape for the party!
We made a wigwam using a dogloo, mom painted the backdrops and Katie found props.
I made a Pueblo house from large boxes.
Lori crafted a canoe with a shower curtain for water.
And teepees we made from feed sacks and easels.
Brian started off the party reading Pocahontas to the guests.
Then we made feathered headbands.
Katie assisted in bead bracelets – kindly supplying the supplies and patience to help a bunch of preschoolers string small beads.
We ate indian food – fry bread, popcorn, jerky and dried fruit. Do you like Lance’s war paint? He didn’t want to take a shower that night and risk it washing off!
We decorated ice cream cone teepees
And of course, enjoyed some cake! Jenny wanted to wear her princess dress instead of her indian costume. One of Flora’s gifts was a princess dress and she has worn it almost every day since then. Maybe next year we’ll just do a princess theme again 🙂
We sure love and enjoy these two girls – so opposite in personalities and natures, but such good friends. Today, when I told Flora it was her “real” birthday she exclaimed “Oh, now I can invite who I want to my party!” She thought a minute and then picked Jenny. I’m glad these two girls can share the bond of friendship as well as family.
Child Development
I think toilet paper rolls are there to prove that, even though “every child is different,” they are all really still the same.
