December Update.

Wow, I have really been absent from blogging! But here is a bit of a catch up. We are busy in a bustling Christmas mood: making fudge, shopping, watching Elf, Bishop's Wife, etc., we're playing with our Christmas train (well, the boys all are), we're smiling at the cute kids singing in our Christmas special, trimming the tree, fa la la la la, la la la la! Lucian's birthday was also on the 7th and we had a special day bringing cup cakes to sunday school, having lunch at Choo Choo Johnny's and celebrating with balloons. He's 3, watch out :).

New porch, New pics, November!

Here we are in November and our porch is 95% done! Just a little painting and ceiling work to do before its complete. However, we are going to do it up this Thanksgiving weekend with boughs of green aplenty! 

November has been fairly eventful. I was blessed to dance at our church to the choir singing "My Hope" by Darlene Czech. This was amazing because I really didn't have anything

 choreographed (though I had tried) until the night before! I prayed and prayed and then within an hour and a half I had it all on paper and in muscle memory. I was also feeling sick that weekend. So, between these two aspects I decided to throw myself on the grace of God which of course is always sufficient giving strength for the task. I danced and worshipped, and of course, I prayed that it ministered to our congregation's heart. 

This month has also brought sad news of Scott's Grandma Dorothy Borchers' death. Last week we traveled to Sioux City and then to Craig, IA for the funeral. It was good to be with the Borchers family and spend time with Grandma Jane and Grandpa Wally too!

Now we are looking forward to a no travel Thanksgiving. Though we will miss being around family, I am glad to have no stress right now. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

to all our family and friends!

Pumpkins!

My lil' Pumpkins!

At the pumpkin patch

it's Allegra in the boys warm clothes

the girls

pumpkin love

We went to the pumpkin patch at long last! We've been trying to get there for weeks now, but the front porch has been rather all consuming on the weekends - but today we were

 determined. After church, the weather was gorgeous, so we said after nap time was the time to go. Scott got a little work done on the porch and we left at 2:30. When we arrived (15 min. later) the temperature must have dropped 15 degree, plunging into the 40's. We were dressed for 60, and freezing! We were determined though and got on the hay ride to the patch...as it started to drizzle and biting wind whipped our chapped lips and cheeks. I didn't even have a jacket on! When we arrived at the patch, we considered staying on the wagon and going back, but Scott convinced me that we were here and we might as well find a big one. So, we hugged Lucian and Allegra as Samuel ran off to find the biggest Cinderella

 coach pumpkin he could find. Well.....on an entire hillside there were maybe  two dozen left to find that weren't busted. I know, I know, the week before Halloween is a bit late - but after all we went through! We found a couple with only minor defects and headed back to the departing wagon...amazed that the down pour went just north of the farm - we could see the black clouds sweeping away. Miraculously, by the time we got to check out the

 sky was almost totally blue! Ah. At the check out were several rather nicer looking pumpkins and we ended up buying one of those, plus our sad few from the patch. Here are the pictures and link to my gallery for more: http://www.me.com/gallery/#100022

First cocoa of the year!

A big day for our front yard

Our two big trees in the front were felled today by the city, free of charge! They came out this summer and said it would be autumn before they could come. Scott called the other day and they updated that to winter. So, I was rather suprised when these three huge trucks parked in front yesterday at 8 am. By 3:30, we had two large stumps...hopefully, they'll take care of those tomorrow!

Scott has also made some big improvements to the porch: siding, lighting and half the floor is now on and installed. Bit by bit, putting it together. 

We get by with a little help from our friends...

I am so encouraged! 

Tonight while Scott was outside, in the dark, in the rain, working on the front porch with a work light humming, he received a call from Joe and Augie saying they would be over at 8am to help with the roof. When Scott called them back to say I taught class tomorrow and he would not be able to work until 11:30 or so, they said they'd come anyway and he could watch the kids! Well, I decided to call my wonderful neighbor, Michelle, (whose friendship is such a God-send in itself) and she said she could watch Allegra while I'm teaching. The boys usually want to watch what's going on with Daddy anyway. 

So, YAY! Our worries with the growing cold and quite a bit left to do are calmed, and our friendships tightened. THANKS EVERYONE WHOSE HELPING! We'll have to have a porch dedication party or something :). I'll probably have to serve hot chocolate and cider. 

Now I'm off to the garage at 9pm to prime the floor boards with my honey...did I mention it's like 48 degrees outside? Good times, good times.

Allegra's Pink Teddy Bear

Okay, after reading my sister's blog...I thought she and everyone else would like to see the birthday girl's joy - 

Thanks, Aunt Tavi!

Porch, Grandpa, my Menard's Contractors

Just wanted to update everybody a bit. Grandpa Denny was in town last weekend and we had a good visit. Denny was able to help Scott with the porch some...and give lots of candy to Samuel and Lucian (won their hearts!) Allegra is toddling around more and more. The porch is actually further ahead then these pictures show too - the roof is covered, ready to shingle and Scott and I picked out the board and bead for the ceiling last night! We even started using it for after the kids go to bed talks and playing in the front yard. But an official floor would make it a bit more comfortable! 

These hats say "Menard's Contractor" - 

He's at it again!

BEFORE

Scott is on to our next project... a front porch! So far, so good. Here are some pictures from the last two weekends - 

(thanks Joe and Augie!)

Cute pics

Allegra on her first birthday

Lucian wasn't too happy about the pinata getting whacked

Allegra sit down!...but let me get a cute picture first :)

Love you so much!

Just had to post these cute ones of the kids

Craft time

Some days just take me back. I went with the kids to Michael's crafts and Samuel picked out the old peg and wax bead craft. I used to love doing these as a little girl, but I thought Samuel a little too young. Well, he proved me wrong on that! He concentrated on it for about half an hour, making sure to pick out all the right colors and make a good design. I was so proud of him. I guess it's the little things that make a Mommy smile!