365Project.2016 | Week 4

Lots of pictures of Abby-girl this week ... we've been working through some tummy issues, and the difference was amazing! Our happy, content, cheerful little girl was back again, delighting us all with her smiles. ♥ 

Day 17. Hannah gets to claim credit for this gem of a picture. ♥ Abby and her Toby ... 

 Day 18. Giggles galore as the girls play their spinning game! :)

And Miss Abby most definitely has opinions about things on the floor. Be it bugs, snow, or dirt, she knows just what to do about it.

Day 19. We had our first lake effect storm of the season ... a couple feet over the span of a couple days. It definitely kept Daddy and his snow plow busy. And even in NY, they occasionally have to cancel for snow. :)

 Peter had fun being part of the dig-out crew. :)

Day 20. Motherhood. Being greeted by an emptied box of tissues as your reward for finishing up dishes in the kitchen ...

 But apparently stuffing them back in is just as intriguing as pulling them out ... ♥

 Day 21. Hannah bug was excited to try some new water color techniques introduced in her Doodle Crate. :)

 Oh yes, Miss Personality is back ...

Day 22. My cutie enjoying lunch ... 

 And delighting in a late night stroll with all the favorite things. :)

 Day 23. The kids were super excited when Daddy suggested sledding at Grandma and Grandpa's on Saturday afternoon. :) (The day got even better when sledding extended into an impromptu pizza dinner as well.) :)

 Abby's first time in the snow ... "It's bright, Mommy!" She did okay for a bit, but was definitely not super impressed. She was quite content to head home early for a nap. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

And such be life in these parts. :)
Thanks for visiting.

365Project.2016 | Weeks 2-3

Welcome back! :) There's been a lot of l.i.f.e. lived in these last few weeks. Lots of creating, learning, playing, ... and cleaning of the messes associated therewith. I'm thankful for this crew with whom the Lord has blessed us. Motherhood is exhausting, but oh, so worth it.

Day 4. Winter has arrived (finally!), and the big kids are definitely enjoying it. :)

 Day 5. Abby has started coloring! :)

 Day 6. And yes ... she is definitely Daddy's girl. ♥

Everything is better once Daddy gets home. ;)

 Day 7. She has also discovered a new friend in the mirror ... :)

 Day 8. Real life, folks. In all of its beautiful, messy glory.

Day 9. My new clips the kids bought me for Christmas made freezer meal prep so much easier! And for the record, I am so very thankful for freezer meals. Even when I don't feel like doing the prep (which I did NOT this particular morning), it is absolutely, 100% worth the effort. 'Nuff said.

The kids and Chris enjoyed the first round of Dominion, and he and I have been sneaking in a few games here and there after the kids go to bed. Fun times! :) This is the $45 game that I picked up, brand new, for $5 at my favorite thrift store as a Christmas gift for Chris. :)

Day 10. Abby likes salad. :) In particular, she likes green peppers. Of all the random foods for an almost 18-month-old ...

Day 11. Starting the day by saying "bye" to Daddy ... 

 It continues with reading lessons ...

 The supplies for Hannah's weather blanket ...

 And coat hooks in the laundry room ... 

 Day 12. Tuesday was a very fun day as we took a special field trip with our homeschool group. We visited our local news station ... it was so interesting!!!

 

 

 

Day 13. Abby discovered that everything looks different after an overnight dump of about 8" of lake effect snow. :)

 Day 14. So much fun building towers!! :)

And creating Domino trains! 

This one worked the first time and had double rows of Dominoes going in opposite directions ... very. very. cool!!!

 Day 15. Things warmed up a bit and the light fluffy snow turned just right for making the first snowman of the year. :)

 And we finally got to try Maple Snow Cream! :) I read about this last year, and have been looking forward to trying it ever since. :)

 Day 16. We spent Saturday morning learning about home energy use. We even had a blower test done. :)

And then the rest of the day was just a quiet day for conversation and fun projects.

We took a video of the front end loader Peter built so that he could take it apart and use those pieces to put together a large mobile track crane.

Daddy helped Matthew build the beginnings of a skid steer.

 And Mommy and Hannah made a pair of earrings together.

Altogether, a relaxing, enjoyable day. :)

And now, we launch into a new week with more lake effect snow in the works and lots of life to be lived.

365Project.2016 | Week 1!

Welcome to 2016!

Last year was one of significant change for our family, and we are thankful for the Lord's grace and blessing throughout all of that. We are excited to see what He has in store for 2016--our first full year in NY.

I'm also excited to be launching the 5th year for my 365 Project! I never imagined it would continue this long ... but now I can hardly imagine not doing it. :) This was the picture that began it all ... January 1, 2012:

Thanks for joining us on our journey ... We'd love to have you leave a note to say hi!

2015 ...

Day 361. We went out for lunch, and Abby-girl was very excited to see the fish tank gracing the waiting area. :)

Day 362. A work trip took Daddy and Grandpa to Philadelphia, so rather than separating the family during Christmas vacation, we decided to pack everybody up and go along for the ride. :) Did you know that Philadelphia is the 5th largest US city?

Day 363. Grandma and Grandpa had a full day of business errands to keep them busy, but we were able to enjoy a family day together. After the craziness which was December, we were very glad for it. :)


We began by exploring the Franklin Institute.

 The "Train Depot" was definitely one of the favorite locations. :)

 So thankful this little lady caved in to sleep rather than fussiness as the day wore on! ♥

After exploring the Franklin Institute, we decided that navigating Philly on foot would be simpler than doing so by van. For the record, a mile is shorter in theory than actuality, but the kids were troopers, and walking truly was more enjoyable than driving. :)

 Our destination? The Liberty Bell. :)

And Independence Hall where it originally hung.

Just one of the many perks of walking ... donuts to fuel the journey! :)

Some pretty amazing views by the time we made it back it to our hotel! :)

Day 364. We were home again by mid-afternoon and enjoyed some evening games of Rummikub with Grandma and Grandpa. :)

Day 365. And Hannah and Grandma closed out our year with their annual snack buffet. :) Thanks, ladies! ♥



2016 ...

Day 1. What is that we see?? Snow!

The kids were very excited to be able to bring in the new year on sleds. :)

Day 2. Mommy's laundry amigo ♥

 Day 3. And this little lady is the very proud owner of a new doll stroller bought with her Christmas money from Great Grandma and Grandpa. ♥ Thanks, Great Grandma and Grandpa!

And thus begins 2016 ... it seems that NY has finally remembered that it's winter and brought in the new year with both cold and snow. It looks like our sleds will be seeing plenty of use! :)