January Mish-Mash!

We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with family and friends. When we got back from our visit to Nebraska, we certainly didn't give ourselves any opportunity for an after Christmas letdown. We decided to spend New Years weekend at Carlyle Lake. Even though it was freezing, we wanted to be outside. This photo was taken by Joel (4) on the dam. It's better than most of the pictures I took!


The kids warming their backsides by the fireplace in the cabin...

We finally got to our first "Preachers" basketball game here at the seminary. It's so fun to see the games played with such great sportsmanship and integrity. At this game the seminary brass ensemble formed a pep band, the little girls performed a dance routine at halftime, and everyone was given "bam bams" to show their spirit.


We've had a few snowstorms this winter where we got a few inches of snow, but on Thursday we got a genuinely big snow.


Both school and daycare were closed, but the seminary was open, so the kids and I had a snow day at home. We did some lounging...


Had an impromptu music and dance ensemble...


And capped it off by making homemade play dough.


Then it was time to celebrate Jonah's 8th birthday. He asked to take a couple of friends to "Grossology" at the Science Center. They had a digestive system you could crawl through...


And a giant nose that sneezed.


In the next couple of weeks, we're looking forward to visits from both of our parents. We're so blessed by our families back home, our wonderful friends here, and by all that this journey brings.