December

 The weekend after Thanksgiving, Chris flew out to Bethel to teach a 2 week class on the book of Isaiah for the Moravian Seminary there.  He's wanted the opportunity to do this and its pretty neat that its the buildings that we were a part of building through Samaritan's Purse this past summer.  While he was gone we tried to keep ourselves busy with fun holiday things and community events to keep us from missing him to badly.

Making salt dough ornaments was on our to-do list last year and we never got around to it, so we tried again this year.  What a fun activity.  The kids are old enough that they were mostly independent with this.  We drug out all the cookie cutters we had and went to work!

Clint cooking breakfast for dinner

Usually, as in when I am not big pregnant, when Chris is away the kids take turns sleeping in my bed at night.  It gives them something to look forward to while we pass the time when he's away.  But, with me mentioning being big and pregnant, I really wasn't looking forward to sharing the bed this time, so instead the kids took turns picking what was for dinner each night and helping cook it.  It was fun!
The kids were all very helpful while Chris was gone.  The boys hauled firewood, which is a pretty big chore at -20 to -30 which is what it was most of the time.  All three helped with chores, and the pic below is what sometimes happens when my little helpers have a bit of trouble...

The boys hauled up another big bag of dogfood and offered to fill Sugar's food container up.  Well, there was a little spill.  Clint wanted me to take a picture and show what Sugar did to help.

We successfully ordered, received, and wrapped Chris' christmas gift while he was away without him finding out what it was.  The kids were taking turns writing their names on the package.  Its a vertical sausage stuffer that holds up to 11 lbs. of meat at a time.  He's wanted one for a while, and it'll be used regularly with all the sausage making he does.

Clint swimming butterfly

The swim team held a mock swim meet at the pool one Saturday morning.  It was a great chance to watch kids compete, see the youngest members show off what they learned over the semester, and a fun chance to watch kids challenge adults to a race!

Preston swimming free style

Cara told me: "Me and Clint are best buddies".  They were eating some red vines Chris brought them from his time out.

Clint has been reading this bible as part of his daily reading since the Fall, and he finished it.  He was so proud, and we were too!

The kids painting their salt dough ornaments.  I think they are going to want to do this every year.

These pics were taken at the Christmas Eve service at church.  The kids each wanted to play or sing something during the service.  Preston played Jingle Bells on his violin, like last year.  Clint played Joy to the World on piano.  Cara sang Away in a Manger.  The kids haven't been able to take any music lessons so far this year.  They miss it, but we're hoping to work something out for the future.

After the service, we had Jason and Kim and the cousins over for cheesecake with different toppings and Gingerbread Cookies Preston baked.  It was a fun time to get together.
Christmas morning we had our regular tradition of opening stockings, eating cinnamon rolls, and then opening presents.  Then the whole rest of the day we relaxed and played and talked to family.

We got Preston a swiss army knife, and told him he is allowed to carry it in his pocket every day. 

We got Cara her own real china tea set. 

We got Clint a Nerf gun with a scope and extra bullets.

Chris gave me a gift certificate for a custom made nursing hoodie.  I got to choose colors and send in measurements and all that.  Its on its way to me now, and I can't wait to try it out....after Evelyn joins us!

lil helpers

The week after Christmas Chris was very busy tackling a to do list that's been lingering since summer.  I requested a new bed frame for the guest bed, one that was high enough to store totes underneath.  We were in need of some extra storage down there anyways.  Chris did a fantastic job.  He used some wood he milled last summer.  Next project is to add the headboard.  The previous bed frame/support had a couple drawers built underneath it, and we moved that under Cara's bed.  She was pretty excited about it.  We took her headboard off, since it was a piece of the crib for Evelyn.  So Cara is also getting a new headboard, and all the pieces are now available for Evelyn's crib. We'll have to share some more pictures as the projects get finished.

While Chris was mostly busy working in the shop, I made an effort to get a couple of meals in the freezer to make life a little easier when we bring Evelyn home.  I also did a lot of cleaning out and organizing.  Yes, I was nesting.  Its a good thing too! That means I was really productive!