More Reno. Progress!

We've had a bit of a hold-up on the renovation the last few months. The cold weather has set us back as well as a few electrical issues. But nonetheless we are persevering with the help of our gracious God and are making progress yet again. We have been doing some more painting as well as laying flooring downstairs.

Please continue to keep us and our future home in your prayers. We are really hoping to move in within the next few months (emphasis on "hoping"). Our neighbors across the street having been keeping watch over the house for us, it has been awesome seeing how the Lord is already working a friendship there. We are ready to move into our neighborhood and build on the relationships we have there.

Lots and Lots of Snow!

It started snowing last night and within an hour the entire ground was white! But then we woke to this, about 7 to 9 inches of snow! The girls had so much fun! We spent the entire morning outside! And to make things even sweeter, we have our niece Maddie staying with us, so she was able to enjoy it too!

9 AM and ready to play!!!!!!

It was a struggle for the littlest girls to walk in the snow.

This was Lili's first "real" snow.

She had to taste it :)

How much fun we've all had! It's been great playing together all day and then warming up by the fire with hot chocolate :)

Maddie had alot of fun too.

We tried something a little different than a sled......

it didn't work so great.

So we made our way to the edge of the yard...

and did this instead. It was alot easier for the girls to walk and we got to visit with our neighbors.

Us girls having fun in the snow!

Mike and I were engaged in Alaska, of course we love this weather!

Lili following her daddy...

There's a beautiful stretch of woods behind the house...perfect for a nature walk.

I really should get this child a pet....

This is one snowball fight I will not get in the middle of!

And then of course, the snowman!

well, actually snowgirl :)

Our snowgirl, snowbaby, and snowpup. War Eagle!

Too pretty to eat

That's the title of the recipe book for these Springerle cookies. My Aunt Patsy made them for Christmas and I was lucky enough to bring home an entire tin full of them and Lebkuchen! **I know the rest of the family will be jealous :)**

These are both German cookies and they are delicous!

Perhaps you've seen..

this very special movie. It has such a great message about giving. I was able to catch it on Netflix a couple of weeks ago and just wanted to share it with you.

Our Christmas

This year we had such an endearing Christmas. It was such a special time for our family. We are so thankful for the people God has placed in our lives. We were able to visit with alot of our family and a few dear friends that God has recently brought into lives. What a time to cherish!

These days I am lucky if I can get a picture of these two monkeys! They are full of energy let me tell ya!

Can you believe Emma is about to be 7!

What a little mess this one is :)

Nanny and Pawpaw gave the girls American Girl dolls this year. This one is supposed to be a little version of Emma. She named her Grace.

Lili got a Bitty Baby. She loved rocking her and loving on her.

Ready for bedtime! Looks like the dolls are sleepier than my girls.

Just a funny little side note, Lili loves to sleep on my old care bears pillowcase that I had when I was little and Emma sleeps on a floral one that I used when I was in college. I'm going to call these vintage haha! They are really attached to them :)

Mommy and Daddy's gift to Emma this year was a Nintendo DSi. She's been asking for one for a few years now and we thought she was finally old enough and responsible enough to have one.

Sporting her winter hat from Uncle Brad.

And enjoying a bike ride on her gift from Santa.

Lili loves loves loves Dora.

All dolled up in her new dress-up clothes.

She got a few Junie B. books to add to her library!

And these last few are from our family Christmas with Mike's side of the family. Santa came and handed out gifts to all the grand kids!

We hope you all had a blessed and joyous Christmas. What a wonderful time to be with the ones we love, and cherish the gift that was given to us on that precious night so long ago. It is because of His Gift that we can give.