Pictures.

Well, I'm long overdue in updating once again!!! Our blog has been sadly neglected these past few weeks; I have been working on an update but didn't get it all together until today-- sorry for the delay folks!! The weather has started to warm up considerably, staying up in the 60's during the day-- after bitterly cold temperatures in February, we are enjoying every chance to get outside! We've been busy, and things are only getting busier as the guys are working longer days due to the nice weather and we're preparing for our first batch of chickens in 2 weeks.

Silas and Phoebe.

Making BLTs for birthday supper.

Moses with his birthday ice-cream cake-- oh SO good!

The Stangl family came for a visit over the weekend. We enjoyed playing games, visiting and fellowshiping together Sunday morning while their family was here.
The weather was delightful and many of us enjoyed a picnic lunch after church on Sunday.

On Saturday afternoon our families spent several hours at the gym playing volleyball. We had some terrific games!

Phoebe and Julia in their matching purple dresses!

Our new little colt loves to be outside!

The Ansons invited us over for lunch on Palm Sunday. Lydia and Great- Grandma cooked up a feast and we all enjoyed spending the afternoon together!!
Uncle Noah and Paul. (When Paul saw Noah looking at a magazine, he ran and got one for himself!)

Lydia, Charity and Phoebe made delicious chocolate cupcakes with coconut on top!!

Pauly gives me a grin during lunch.

We had two girls from our home-school group spend the day with us recently. Charity and Phoebe loved playing with Jessica and Lizzie!

Moses bringing in the laundry.

Silas is our big helper hanging out laundry!

Esther and Elizabeth made a short trip recently to visit some dear friends. We had a wonderful time together--playing musical instruments, shopping at thrift-stores, playing Dutch Blitz, and of course, talking!!
Micah Noel, Elizabeth, Bryant and Esther.

Umm.....something doesn't look quite right about this picture!! :)

The ice-storm downed several big branches from the trees around our house. Dad made the rounds with the chainsaw and now Moses is going around hauling off the branches to be burned!

Loading up larger logs for bonfires.

Helping brush Sandy (the day before her baby was born)!

We were thrilled to have the Shepards come visit over Easter. Justice is growing so much, and talking quite a bit!

Uncle Micah helping Justice learn how to use the pedals.

Helping Daddy gather eggs.

"I want to catch a chicken!"

Justice loved sitting 'on the big horsey'.

Enjoying the chalk Great-Grandma got for them!

Justice loved walking on Uncle Seth!

Playing legos.

'Lamb Cake'-- our Resurrection Day breakfast!

One of our family traditions is our Resurrection day treasure hunt. Mom selects words from the Resurrection story (Words like; 'Last Supper', 'Vinegar', 'Crown of Thorns', 'Rooster', just to name a few.) writes them on little slips of paper inside of squares of brightly colored tissue paper. We hide them throughout the yard for the younger ones to find. Once they are collected, we open them up and read the words and say what the words have to do with the Resurrection story. This has been wonderful way to help instill the precious story of Jesus' death and Resurrection in our lives from a young age!

Group picture before they all scatter for the treasure hunt.

Ahh-- Micah found one!

Getting ready to open their packages!

The treasure hunt is over, so now they get to open their little packages, discuss the words and eat their M'n'M's!

MMMM....we love it when Spring comes and Dad starts grilling again!!

Paul, Uncle Silas, Marcus and Justice!

Phoebe and Silas discover our tire swing can hold two!

Yep, he's driving his dog sled. We recently saw a video about some sled dogs, and Silas was enthralled. Moses helped him rig up his very own dog sled!

Moses, his faithful sled-dog!

'Little Drummer Boy'

Noah has been spending lots of time in the garden in the evenings when he gets off work. Silas loves to help him!

Our little gardener.