A Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad Day

Life in Iowa as poor, frustrated graduate students brings some unique challenges to say the least. But one of the most saddening (in a sweet kind of way) is to watch friends that you have laughed and cried and worked and played with finish their degrees and move on. It leaves you feeling happy for them, and very, very lonesome at the same time. While we have felt this feeling before, it was brought home in a whole new way when our wondeful neighbors for three years, the Woods, moved in June. Heather and Garret and their children were unquestionably an answer to a prayer for us. We were shocked, scared, and slightly nuerotic when we arrived, and they took us in, treated us like family, and kept us close to their hearts. Noah, Issac, Lucy and Baby J all miss them. Lucy still asks about Heather, Noah and Isaac talk about the boys, Adam misses hunting with his "Gare-Bear" and teasing Heather, and Tiffany has a hard time talking about them without getting teary-eyed. Not to sound too pathetic, but after they left, Adam spent time everyday wandering through their apartment - often returning home with tears in his eyes and muttering "I can't believe they're actually gone" under his breath (he's kind of a softy anyway - which is why he is writing this particular entry in the third person - helps to create a safe emotional buffer...). It was not easy to have them leave, because we really loved them. And they loved us. And we were family...

Broken Legs and Broken Spring Dreams

Just as Spring was begging to spring this year, we had a very unfortunate accident. Lucy was jumping on the trampoline with three of her big buddies when she landed somewhat awkwardly and "snap" went her fibula. This photo was taken only a few days after the cast was put on. We had lots of fun with the painting, and Lucy was a champ through it all. While the doctors said to keep her off of it for the six weeks she was to be casted, by about the second week she had learned to walk with it, and from then on you could hear her "thump, thump, thumping" her way across the floor - even scrambling to get outside. Truth be told, in the six weeks she had it on we went through about that many casts. Between the rough abuse from all of her unauthorized walking and the abuse from other sources (namely the unauthorized peeing) we kept the hospital cast room in business.

The Big 29 (for the second time...)

A picture of Tiff's Birthday cake - no mention of how old she turned on March 21st, but let's just say she reached a milestone of unmentionable proportions - [30!!!!!]

Nekked!

Because naked baby photos are the greatest thing ever, I thought I'd include some. Here is James the tub in the tub...

Goodbye! (for now)

I end this blogging session with photos of our family in Iowa. I include the Woods (our neighbors) in this little nomination because that is what they have been to us - family. They have a version of this photo on their blog as well - although theirs does not do justice to the true spirit of our little cadre...this one certainly is more in line with what life has been like for our family(ies) over the last three years we have been together...We miss you Garret, Heather, Jacob, Sam, Mason and Joe! Hope to see you soon!

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...