Christmas Treasure

There is no question for either Tiff or I that this is where our treasure lies (our bank account can certainly attest to this as well). We have had a very enjoyable holiday season- amidst the ice storms and the snow. After a mild Fall, Winter has blazed in with fury. If it isn't raining ice, or blowing snow, the sun will be shining, and the temperature will be in the single digits (as James's red nose attests). But this year has been very different than past years in Iowa, and we have begun to spend more time together, enjoying each other, and less time worrying about how we're going to make a go of it here. Sad that it has taken us two-and-a-half years to get to this point, but hopefully the next two-and-a-half years will be as smooth as the last few months have been. Some days, Iowa feels a little like home in this regard... One of the most enjoyable things we have experienced lately has been seeing Noah become more active in his willingness to take care of his younger siblings. He is a special boy - very pure in heart - and we probably push him a little more than we should. I have to constantly remind myself to let him know how wonderful of an example he is to our family. The other kids really love him, and so he plays an interesting leadership role in our family - with the other kids taking their cues from him regarding how they will treat each other. As you can see, his example is closely watched, and emulated. What an awesome kid!!!!

WE CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!!

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! As you can tell, the kids were just a little excited for Santa to come. We had a wonderful Christmas this year, so much better than the last one - when we all sat around dreading the idea of the pager going off, and wishing we were in Utah with our family and friends. We missed everyone this year, but we spent a lot of time together as a family, playing games, singing songs, reading stories etc. On Sunday night we had a Christmas party with our neighbors. I had to peel a sack of potatoes, and Isaac came and sat down on the kitchen floor to help me. We peeled potatoes for an hour and sang Christmas songs the whole time. It was a highlight of my Christmas season.

A Birthday Bash

These are from Lucy's birthday. Thank you for sending her gifts, well-wishes, and birthday cards! We are constantly feeling guilty about the expense and hassle imposed by being so far away from everyone. As you can see, we are training her to become the next Shania Twain, pink cowgirl boots to match her pink microphone and a little leg thrown in just for kicks!

Smiles...

These photos were taken by our neighbor Garrett Wood. James is the smiliest little one we've had. He keeps on growing at an enormous rate. He is still well over the 90th percentile in height and weight, and fits into 12-18 month clothing and he's not even six months yet. He is a constant source of joy...

Here are all four of our little ones ready for some serious candy collecting. Isaac is on the left - and is dressed up as who-knows-what. He saw the costume at WalMart and said - I want that, I want that...We are proud to be raising an axe murderer! Walking around he looked kind of like a zombie ewok - which, I guess, was pretty cool...Noah was the Grim Reaper. He had a pair of glasses that glowed red off and on, and pretty much served to freak Lucy out - which again, was pretty cool for him, I guess...James was our little pumpkin. However, he is so fat that he almost didn't fit into the pumpkin suit - in which case we thought about pasting some bottle nipples onto his belly and sending him out as a little piggy - which he probably would have pulled off quite well. Lucy - well, she was the frog princess. We figured that with the way her temperament has been, she is going to need a good, sweet prince to come along and kiss her before she can become the princess we know she is inside...But not for at least another 25 years... Hope you enjoy the pics!

The Frog Princess

Forget about the Frog Prince - just give me the CANDY!!

Did Somebody say Candy?

James definitely wanted in on the action, but all he got was momma's leftovers, so to speak...

Candy Overload!

Lucy was hilarious on Halloween night. She would run as fast as she could from house to house laughing hysterically - then, with little to no warning would throw herself on the ground and begin sobbing as if the whole thing was just too much to handle...she'll probably be traumatized for the rest of her life.

I'm all (about) thumbs

Here is James- the only one of our children who has learned to suck his thumbs...We're very proud and are sure he is going places!! Way to go James!

First Day - Best of Friends!

One Month Before Delivery

And now she's started working on him too...

You wonder where she gets it? I don't...

Ohhhhh... pooping your pants is such a tragedy!!

Excuse me sir - step away from the children...

Its all about style!! (or maybe smile?)

I'm sorry, but there is no cuter little girl on the whole dang planet...

The good looks are from Mom - but the sweet disposition is all Dad...

At Wilson's Apple Orchard - Solon, Iowa

Hi family and (a few) friends. Hope you enjoy these pictures. We miss being closer to home and are sad we won't be home for Christmas this year, but hope to see you next summer. We are surviving okay - lots of work (too much, says Tiff), but making solid progress. Actually things have been going really well lately. We are getting use to being incredibly poor and living on next to nothing, and have found that there is an odd sense of relief when you have very little, because then there is very little to worry about really... It's a blessing in an odd way - makes you realize that life is filled with a whole lot of stuff that just doesn't mean anything when compared to the happiness you have in your home. So I guess that means we're okay...Enjoy the pictures!