Random ....

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Actually we have already had half our celebration today...but who can object to two days of holiday!

We've been quite busy the last couple of weeks, putting together our visa packet for Indonesia, and taking my Civil War History class on a week long field trip. :) More about that later, I promise.  

For now here are a few random pictures of how Ruben has been keeping himself occupied.

 Playing IN the toybox is so much fun!

Mommy's kitchen drawers are even more fun!

Look! I got a new car seat!

I hope everyone is staying healthy (unlike Ruben and I) and enjoys the rest of the week!

The big storm

Well, it's taken me longer than I wanted to get around to posting about last week's snowstorm.  The month of October apparently didn't want to be forgotten and so went out with a flourish!  It started snowing Saturday afternoon (the 29th), and when we woke up Sunday morning we measured 13 inches of snow!

The church meeting got postponed a couple of hours to give everyone time to 'dig out'.  Sasch bundled up in his coat and hat-and sneakers:) -we weren't ready for winter yet, and headed out to clear off the car.

Ruben watched from the window...I couldn't even tear him away to get dressed :)

So beautiful!

Once the driveway was clear we bundled Ruben up in his big winter boots and 'teddy bear' coat and took him out to check out the snow :)

 'ooh look...white stuff!'

'hey, where'd it go?'

'Let me help you with this one Daddy.'

Ruben realized his hands were too small to do much good...

(Sorry about the sideways footage, I always forget it doesn't work this way!)

Like father, like son....(and mother)

We finally found a way that Ruben will hold still while getting his diaper changed!

 Yep, we've got us a bookworm!

And yes, he is learning German already :)

Fun and games

As snow once more collected outdoors (so far at least seven inches), my mom and sisters joined us for a fun evening of supper, games and laughter.  Picture six people sitting/lying on the floor playing Uno, periodical shrieks and dives to keep the baby away from the cards, while simultaneously carrying on a vigorous game of ball! (A soft rubber ball)  I love my family!

;)

 Ruben's highlight of the evening was the discovery of a new favorite snack.

 Popcorn!

 As you can see, he made short work of clearing his 'plate'. :)

"Maybe if I eat enough of these I'll be biiig and tall like Daddy!"

More snow pictures tomorrow!

Snow :)

Yes it's too early for winter...but how can we complain, waking up to sights like this?

 

 Sasch and I sneaked out and  took some pictures....

 

 Then Ruben woke up and we took some more...

Mom? What am I supposed to do with this? 

(He did try licking it but decided it was too cold)

...and a picture of where we are living.  Our apartment is on the second floor on the left.

Pumpkins!

Our landlords gave Ruben his very own pumpkin.  Sasch carved his name on it and we let it grow until we were afraid of frost.  Ruben thinks it is very cool!

 Carving

 Found it!

 My Pumpkin!

 Hmm...how will I manage this?

 ugh...too heavy!

 ...a little to the right...

 There! Picture anyone?!!

:)

My Helper

Ruben's favorite room is the kitchen and his favorite activity is to 'help' in whatever is being done.  (This usually means he stands behind us hanging on our legs or opening the cupboard doors in front of where we are working.)  Today I decided to really let him help.  He loved it! :)

  

Staying on the topic of kitchens, here is a baby shower cake I decorated for my sisters' volleyball coach last week. 

:)

...Um, first post :)

So, I've never been good at correspondence, or journals, or writing for that matter, so I'm not sure what you should expect from this new venture.  On the other hand I do have a very handy subject matter crawling around my house these days!  

 

:)

I guess that will do for starters.  Thanks for reading our blog and we'll do our best to keep it updated!