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!