thanksgiving break

C's parents were able to come out and be with us for thanksgiving. it is always delightful to have any visitors. we loved having them.

the kids loved getting an early christmas from them.

 grandma made quilts for all the kids.  A LOT of work! we love them!!!

  C snuggled up in hers.

B loved his! she made little pillows that we were going to stuff, but B loved the little one so much, we kept it. he has hauled it everywhere!

We spent thanksgiving dinner at the hershey lodge. it was amazing. mostly because it was easy. no cooking, cleaning, planning, shopping. just show up and eat a delicious dinner. 

grandma tried oysters, didn't love them.

 they had a kids area with mac and cheese, chicken fingers, kids friendly food.

 the kids love going in the back yard when the ground is frozen and crunching all the ice

dad and grandpa rented a ditch witch and put in our trenches for our rain gutters. it was a long cold day. but they got it done, they aren't going to want to visit again, they got worked too hard

c loves laying on heat vents (we had radiators in our other house)

they flew out of newark, so we took the opportunity to go to NYC. it was fun seeing all the Christmas decor 

 we ate at lombardi's- first pizza in nyc. delicious!

come and visit anytime!we love visitors!

firsts

first sunrise at our new house

 first game of dress up

 first of many fires to come

 first time lowering the light and praying that my husband didn't fall

lets rewind

moving day.

 i hate moving. let's get that out of the way. it's horrible. i hate sorting, going through stuff, packing up-knowing full well that you are only going to undue exactly what you had just done. it's not my favorite thing.

this was the day of our move.

this little guy decided he wanted to sleep in his closet. i thought it was sweet. one last memory.

 i hate seeing it all boxed up.

 waking up from her last nap in her room. 

 moving.

we had a great group of guys who helped move. four elders unloaded and packed our attic. it was amazing all the help we received. we got everyone pizza- for all their hard work. 

we really were so blessed.

a little about the house we left.

i loved this house. it was built in the 1850's and had been completely renovated. it was built onto about 3 times. it had character. the walls were crooked. there were airstops above the doorways (for air flow way back when), there were radiators on the walls, original hardwood floors (until the flood),  marble doorknobs and old doors. it had character. i am going to miss it. B and C were both brought home from the hospital when they were born to that house. G was baptized while living there. I think of all the great memories that house had; watching trains pass by our window, our amazing and sweet neighbors jack and barb, walking to the store and being close to main street, hosting halloween get togethers and watching the parades pass by our street, G's cookie stand outside our house, we survived a  flood in that house and a hurricane (that passed right by us).  This was the first place we moved when C finished nurse anesthetist school. We got our first real paycheck there-after not having one for 3 years.  I think of all the laughter and tears that house holds. I would be lying if I didn't admit that i am going to miss that house.

 It holds a special place in my heart.

I always planned that when we left that house we would be leaving pennsylvania and heading back west to utah. sometimes our plans are not the lord's plans.  sometimes we don't get what we want, but we put faith in a heavenly being who has directed our path in the past and we know he is watching out for us. i'm just hoping at some point i can make my will His will- or at least, have our paths intersect at some point ;)

we are going to miss it.

the end is here!!!

We're back! 

we have been without internet for about 5 weeks now and i have just about gone plum crazy. i had my phone, but trying to get a lesson ready on a 2x3 screen is  not ideal. here's what's been going on...

It all started with my husband…

After we realized that this was the place the Lord wanted us.

My husband had a plan. He wanted to build.

That's where it started. It has taken us on a journey. A long drawn out journey. At first excitement, then waiting, then frustration, then waiting, then frustration, then exhaustion… you get the picture.

To anyone who wants to build, my advice, get a bottle of valium and refill it daily.

The land….

and we broke ground.

 here's the hole dug.

 the kids loved exploring and climbing on their hills.

got the foundation set.

and here it sat. and sat. and sat. for 3 months. with 22 inches of water. bad start.

 after 3 months, they delivered the house.

pretty exciting to see

 the next day, they set the house.

all boxes in place.

 then porches and garages

 exterior work

 interior work

 finally moving in day…

kids had a hey day pulling out every toy we own

 these two crazies love playing in our shower.

when we first moved in, the first few days the water was brown. pretty gross. the kids were pretty skeptical about bathing in it. i kept encouraging showers. :)

so, has it been worth it. this huge process. it took just over a year from the time we bought the land, drew up house plans, found a contractor, bank, building…. mostly worth it. 

would i do it again? hmmmm. i'll have to get back to you.

we do love where were at. we have a few acres and the kids love exploring and playing outside. it's nice to be out of town. the kids love our new house. anytime we would go anywhere, b would always say, i just want to go back to our new home. it was cute. 

everyone pretty happy.