Quite the educated palate

Elli's been sick and when she's sick she doesn't eat much. In hopes of getting her to eat more, we pulled out the yummy cheese packets (Like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese) that Aunt Marj sent us. I thought surely Macaroni and Cheese would be a winner. It was, but only after she slathered it with chacka (fermented dried yogurt) and with a helping of pickled beets on the side. I had to take a picture cause I don't know many toddlers who would willingly down this meal. I would struggle with it honestly!

Loving the Alphabet

Our friend Felicia sent Ethan (and really his mom) 3 Leap Frog DVD's. And Ethan LOVES them. He would watch all 3 videos everyday, if I let him. In a weeks time, he has learned the sounds every letter makes and most of the names of the letters. He loves to write notes and often while I'm cooking in the kitchen, we're working together to sound out special messages. Here are some of his recent ones:

For Papa Frank and Grandma Vickie's anniversary, this is the sign Ethan wrote.



And then for Uncle Dan

Thanks again Felicia. We are well on the way to reading!

Pigtail buds

"Buds" because they are just sprouting. But we are excited about the sprouting! We borrowed little rubber bands from Jackson's "toothpick architecture kit" and Elli sat really still. Of course they didn't stay in for very long, but I'm sure excited to be rounding this corner into the world of cute, frilly, little girl accessories!

Winter weather is back

Unlike many of you in the Mid-West, we've been enjoying 60 degree days last week. But this week the winter weather came in with snow and ice. And it's been sticking around. Of course it's the "talk" wherever you go, "The hard cold weather is here to stay." I wouldn't complain if the 6o degrees and sunshine came back! But since it's here, we're going to make the most of it.

New Year's Resolution: Exercise more! I started out by pushing Elli and all my groceries through the un-cleaned snow covered streets to and from bazaar. I was breathing heavy by the time I got home!

Now that Ethan has witnessed first hand the clearing of avalanches, what better to do with his truck than clear the road for the people to get through.

Working with Dad to make a snow man, complete with authentic coal buttons and smile!

The demolition crew that then torn down the snowman to build a snow fort!

Unfortunately, cold weather means water problems. If the pump to get the water to the tank isn't frozen, and the pipe carrying the water to the tank isn't frozen, then it's the line that brings the water in from the street. So now 4 days into our winter wonderland, we're back to bucketing water!

Elli's Buddy is Back

Elli's play buddy has made it back home! And you could say she's a little excited! She managed to play with Ethan and Holland (6 years old) for the 3 months that Nathan was away, but she is sure glad to have him back!

Little House on the Prairie; the deal is sealed

We have fully arrived to Little House on the Prairie status; Austin has installed and we are learning how to heat with a coal burning stove. We still have a bit to figure out when it comes to controlling the smoky exhaust when we first build the fire (surely Pa Engles has a segment on that we need to watch) but all in all we are loving it. We've been able to keep our house 30 degrees warmer than the outside temperature, when with previous heating options we were excited for a 10 degree difference! So it's official; Pioneers we are!

Inspired Art

Of all the pictures Ethan drew this Christmas, this one is my favorite. The start shining over the stable, the angle perched on top and the three kings wearing their crowns have come to worship King Jesus. Just seeing how much was going through his little heart and mind made doing our Advent family devotions even that much more meaningful.