~ Pancakes and Sickness ~

 We're in the Nativity Fast and I thought I would make the kids a treat! I had to stay home from church with Moses because he has a cold. I missed being at church but it was nice to be home too. :) The days have been chilly and for the most part sunny. I love sunny cold days! I have some orange slices in the dehydrator, I want to use them on the tree and other places. It's so lovely to use simple things for decorations. 

ZOO Trip!

 This was Moses's first time visiting the zoo! When we lived in town years ago we went pretty often. We ended up purchasing the family membership because it was only $15 more than it would cost us to come one time! We're going to make an effort to visit more often. It's such a realxing and easy thing to do togther. 

Eleanor was so sweet to carry Moses on her back. He's like our own little marsupial. :) 

Lovely Felicity! 

The petting zoo is always a favorite of everyone.

I jocked with the kids that we should make this our Christmas card picture, and without skipping a beat Boaz said, "yea, getting back to our roots!" Oh Boaz! ha! 

"I'm Steve Erwin!" ~ Moses 

Remember...

~You don't need the best stuff to have the best life.~ 

Day trips and simple activities as a family are just as meaningful (or maybe more so!) as expensive trips. Your children will remember you and your love more than they will remember how many times you took them to a theme park. 

Four of my Favorite People :)

 

Just running some errands in our lovely small town.  Eleanor was working that day. :)

~ Around the House ~

 

This is what we call the "stove room" because...it has the woodburning stove. :) I've been trying to hang dry our laundry during the night while the stove is going and it's been working out well. I love this dry rack and would like to get another. 

This is our pantry area. I'm standing in the doorway from the kitchen, there are two steps down because this used to be a carport. To the right is the mudroom (our second freezer is here) and to the left is a bedroom. My husband's "office" is also in this space, on the other side of that white beadboard wall. It is more of a nook but works out nicely.  So this blue shelf is new to this area. I got it on fb marketplace for $20 and thought I would use it in the boys room but didn't like it there.  

The weather has been chilly but still sunny. I love it when it's cold and sunny out! The kids were having a blast on the trampoline so I had to snap a picture. Love them so much! 

I cooked a couple of our hams from our pigs for Thanksgiving, they were great! This is a soup I put together from the leftovers. I made the broth by simmering the ham bones in water in the crockpot for a couple days. I know that sounds like a long time but I've found the broth has more flavor if you simmer for two days instead of just one. You'll have to watch it and occasionally add more water. Clay and the kids loved it, that makes me smile. :) Now we're in the Nativity fast (first day!) so we'll have to enjoy ham again in January. It will be a welcome treat! There is something so lovely and simple about delayed gratification. 

Remember...

~You don't need the best stuff to have the best life.~ 

~Story time with Daddy~

 

~Progress~

 I've made a little more progress on the mudroom by adding more trim and painting the door. Little by little we'll get there. :) 

Locked doors...

 Moses locked out the big boys and thought it was hilarious! Thankfully the big boys thought it was too. :)

~Growing Up~

 Eleanor was a good sport and let me take a picture of her as she was on her way to work. She's so beautiful!

A Boy and His Books

 Moses looooves to look at animal books. He also really enjoys animal documentaries. I love this age (4) he's gaining independence but still loves to snuggle. 

Fires ~ Dinner ~ Good Laughs

 

Being Four is Awesome :)

Moses helped me in the front garden, pruning the perennials and getting things ready for winter. He is a great little helper so I made him his own smoothie. 

Another day I set up a craft for Moses. He had such a fun time using the glue bottle. :)

 

Our New Favorite Thing...Jujitsu! :)

A few weeks ago we were able to help with a Jujitsu class for some vision impaired children and young adults. Oh it was so fun! We were blessed to meet these sweet kids. 

 

~ New Game ~

 The kids have a new game where they set up all these twigs and wood and then have target practice! It is so fun to watch and sometimes they have pretty good aim. 

~Twinkle Lights~

                                                 I love our old, little house so much.  

Around the House

                                 ~You don't have to have the best stuff to have the best life.~ 

Eleanor Alathea

 

This lovely lady got her first job!!! So proud of Eleanor! She comes home every day with a smile and fun stories from work...and sometimes free donuts. 

~ Sewing and Battles ~

 I found this very vintage Singer sewing machine for $5 at a yardsale. I immediately thought how much Boaz would like it for his upcoming borthday. 

I found a tablecloth at the thrift shop and with the kids' help we made a couple play capes. Moses already had this fun black cape. I really love how the hood turned out on Felicity's. 

This structure made from pallets is called "the castle". Fun times! 

Felicity Perpetua

 

I found this sweet note in my "mom" notebook from Felicity. She is so sweet! 

She also took and edited this self-portrait. 

~End of Summer Beauty~

 A lovely volunteer in one of our compost bins. :) 

Dear Father Moses...

 

~ New Wall ~

This is actually an old card table.  I found it at a garage sale for $5! I knew right away I would hang it on the wall. 

I found these two plates at a different garage sale for a quarter each. I love the flowers and colors. I'd like to find two more for the other side, but I will wait for two I love. 

 

~ Marriage ~

 

I can't believe we are about to celebrate 17 years of marriage...he's a pretty special guy. 

Summer Adventures

 So, while the big kids were at camp we had fun with the other kids! We watched a lot of Heartland, visited new places and ate a lot of fun food! 

This was taken in Greenfield MO. I know we live in the country but Greenfield felt like the middle of nowhere! But, they have the world's smallest and laid-back DMV so it was perfect for renewing my license and exploring a new little town. 

We also took the kids bowling, it was so fun! 

Moses had his own bowling technique called, "run and throw" it proved a good idea! 

On a different day Clay took the kids to Bass Pro and Barnes and Noble. I stayed home and worked on some projects around the house, like hanging the light in the girl's room. :)