Elan reads "Goodnight Moon". Very cute. You can catch the phrases he says!@

The Petersen Salon! It was pretty pricey, but I think she gives doscounts if she doesn't paint your WHOLE toe...so check it out!












I splurged because I wanted my toes to be stuck together with polish..

I love the tongue!

Famliy Day hike at Rober E Lee.




Esther "found" some deer anters that were covertly placed on the trail by Daddy. She walked right by it twice and them tripped over it before I had to point it out to her. Ha!

It was SO muddy!

Esther was summoning the deer with her recorder.

This is what I mean when I say that she piles things up from around the house.
This laundry basket consisted of all my jewelry, the diry clothes that were in the basket and pillows and books. (I removed the jewlwry and dirty clothes before taking this picture)















She called it her boat. She was the captain.















The chairs were all lines up, and then the laundry basket and then the blankets and pillows.

It's about that time when mommies start to lose their minds from being imprisoned by the cold weather. The kids start inventing tidy games such as "pile everything in the cover and make a fort" and mommies start inventing games such as "hide all these books that I've already read 40 times today". I tell them 'maybe they fell behind the couch" and leave it at that.
It's also the time when I have time to reflect on the past year's happenings and I contemplate whether I have done anything substantial, (besides raising children). There is a yearning in my heart to be a part of something more than this. I don't mean that I want something more than my family, by any means because there is nothing in the world that could take the place of them. I just want US, as a unit, to be involved in something more. I wish that we had a vision, or a calling. We have always wanted to go on the mission field and join a team and be a part of the work of God in another area. We are just waiting for God to speak that vision into our hearts. It seems that every summer when the missionaries come back from all over the world, we become enchanted and in love with each and every story and fall in love with the people we see in pictures. WE are just waiting for God to tell us to GO! Maybe we are waiting for something grandiose like a message in the sky because we can't seem to hear any still small voice. We have made it very clear to God that we are open and willing and praying and waiting....
The bottom line is that we are not attached to our house, or our cars, or our lifestyles. We know that this life is not our own and these possessions are not ours to keep. That is actually the one thought that beings me peace when times like these set in.
I know that I will not be here forever and that my roots are much deeper than where I live! I am called to a higher adventure and that is the will of God!
Obviously He wants us here now, but I'm glad that He can still l hear me as I pray to Him even if it is from under the couch cushions as I hide in the corner of my "cave" and wait.

We visited David's college friends on our way back to New York. Some very remarkable people were there! Glad we made it!! Thanks Steve and Nicole for hosting and Winona for the place to stay!!




Here is Uncle Poss rousing the kids with wrestling moves!








Those Arensen kids are so sweet and polite. I'm sorry that I don't have a better picture. The group one didn't take on our camera:( We'll have to steal yours Sandy!!












Luke and Andrea's sweet dog Harper. She ate up all the messes!! It was great!!





A group photo after the Arensens left.

Here we have the Hardy family with the adorable Aurora!! She is a little older than Elan and half his size!!

The Wallenbach's and Mr. Jennings

The BardyKings sporting the milk mustach..( or should I say cream)

Thanksgiving in New York!! What fun was to see both sides of our families and to enjoy the "expansions". We just keep growing!





Cody and Esther are the best of friends!! Esther was sad to leave him.











Lily is so sweet and aparently she soothes herself to sleep by spitting for 20 minutes. Impressive!










Esther and Cody watching Grandpa make them Mickey Mouse pancakes! Yum!

Elan always has some extra personality for the camera. I think "cheese" was one of his first words!!

Ciccarelli famliy photo

Family pictures with the Petersens

Elan and Grandma Susan

The Christmas card...sorry for spoiling the suprise Mom...:)

Horsey Daddy












Auntie Melissa













Esther and Cody building a "swimming pool"

Me and my sisters












Esther and Cody












My carefree little girl

Esther and Callia dancing ( I think Esther has food in her mouth int he first picture)

Elan made a mess out of all my potted garden plants while I was drying my hair in the other room.










Esther got too tired of waiting for me and just feel asleep where she was...notice that only one leg is on the treadmill












Elan's first birthday..not a happy time. Cupcakes can be scary things!!!

Esther is singing"I LOVE MY BABY BROTHER" at the top of her lungs.....

Elan is walking by himself now, but a week ago he got around by pushing this little thing.

Elan was helping Mommy with the laundry.

grandma and elan












esther and daddy washing the car

Esther and Elan's Birthday Party. Esther turned 3 and Elan turned 1. Here's a shot of all the birthday kiddos.













Mommy Daddy, Esther and Elan














Curious George Birthday cake











Alfredo Buzzito, El Blimpo Bubblebeeto Buzzito, The birthday pinata that was impossible to break!!