Deck the House

We put up our tree and all Christmas decorations on the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving. It wasn't without challenge as both boys were drastically short on sleep that evening after minimal napping, and things always take longer than we plan.

Like the attitude?

Jonathan was a tremendous help in the assembly of the tree... Caleb was less than helpful.

Exhaustion

The move here went smoothly. It was sunny and beautiful when we loaded everything. It rained as we drove the several hours to our new destination. Then, Saturday morning it cleared off before the movers needed to start unloading and it was another lovely day. Our new house is much better than I hoped for, and I am most grateful for the space and the fact that there are not boxes strewn about. It seems as though the boys are liking the new digs and feel at home in this house. Jonathan was a bit wiped out after all of the excitement, and here is what happened on two of the days in the week following the move:

Asleep on the hardwoods in the closet of his room

During quiet time Jonathan stubbornly stayed awake despite his obvious exhaustion. He emerged from his room after the hour that he stays in there for quiet time, and after playing for a bit I found him asleep. Asleep with his head resting on the wrought iron table!!

One More Zoo Trip

The zoo near our previous home was amazing. We visited there often and knew our way around very well. We wanted one more visit before we left and our good friends, Andrew and Heather, joined us for the day. Jonathan and Andrew are two weeks apart in age, and have a silly, very boyishly fun time together.

The three at the penguin exhibit

Great buds (for a long time, I hope)

Storytime

One of our favorite weekly activities had been story time at the local library. Miss Ike is a magical storyteller and craft designer, and we have delighted to spend one morning a week with her for the past year and a half.

Miss Ike and Jonathan

The kids doing one of the songs with Miss Ike and the beanbags

We are Here

We survived the move, and things went quite smoothly. Our rental house is much nicer than I anticipated, and for that I am most grateful.
Internet that is more than on my phone will be installed next week so I'll post some photos and a few good stories then.
Beginning a new season...

Saying Goodbye

Who likes it? I have yet to find someone who does.

These last two weeks will be weeks of lasts: last breakfast with friends from church, last lunch with Amanda and Rachel, last walk on the trail with friends, last book club, last morning at church, last time walking to our neighbors' houses.

The movers arrive bright and early on Friday and we will be moved into our rental house by this time next Saturday.

We are sad, but we are ready and excited, too. Ready for what God has in store for this next season of life.

Off to Gather Some Treats

Trick or treating and the goodies that filled our treat sacks will likely be motivation enough for costume wearing in years to come.

My boys... off to trick-or-treat

Brothers

Happy Halloween!