New House

We moved this past weekend!  Since we moved to Stewartville at the beginning of August, we've been renting while we looked for something more permanent.  At the end of November, we walked through a house that I (now we) fell in love with!  We have many things to be thankful for:
1. Our offer was accepted shortly after we made it in November, and we closed this past Friday.
2. Our rental contract only goes through March, so we will have some time to clean and move the last few items, but will not be paying double housing for too long.
3. Saturday found us with tons of help from a couple coworkers of Steve's, some of our wonderful church family, and available family members as well. 

Although our house is not on a large lot, it is fenced in with gorgeous landscaping, a large play structure, and Steve has the proximity to his school, which was very important to him.  The house was originally built in 1910, I believe, but has recently been updated.  It has tons of character, white trim (which I have wanted FOREVER), beautiful hardwood floors on the main level, and a jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom, just to name a few of the reasons I love it.  There will be some wall paper to be removed and painting to get done, but overall it was move-in ready and wonderful.

Since I'm currently up in the cities for two professional development days, and have all evening to myself, I have some time to share some pictures.  These photos were taken before the majority of furniture and belongings were moved, but we have since been in the process of unpacking and organizing.  Enjoy!

Jesus or an Oompa Loompa?

We thoroughly appreciate and encourage Maggie's creativity through art and try to give her the freedom to express herself.  Her latest creation from Sunday School, however, had us wondering...is that Jesus or an Oompa Loompa?

Christmas Has Come and Gone

 We had a full and wonderful Christmas week, celebrating the birth of our Savior with family.  We spent the weekend before Christmas with my whole family in Fairmont and even made a quick appearance at the Evelsizer Christmas with my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and cousins before getting back to Stewartville in time for our Christmas Eve service.  Christmas Day was spent with just our family of four,and then we got back in the car a couple days later to head to Iowa for the Myers Christmas (my mom's side) and up to Princeton to spend the weekend and New Year's with Steve's family.  Steve and I were even able to fit in a date afternoon to see Les Mis.  So good!  The kids did fairly well for all the time in the car, and it was wonderful to get a chance to spend time with all of our families.  We are blessed beyond belief!


Steve and I both had a three-day week to break us back into the school schedule, and we are more than ready to kick back for the weekend!

Decorating Christmas cookies at Grammy and Bapa's.

Maggie's masterpieces.

Playing with cousin Grey!

Grammy and her boys.

What would any sort of family gathering be without football for Steve?

One of my favorite things.

Kate and her wassail.  Yum!

Maggie and her new purse and glasses from Unky and Aunt Kate.

Grey and his new gift.

Playing guitar with Uncle Andrew.

Adorable new mugs.

My adorable nephew modeling one of Maggie's Christmas gifts.

Pointing at the moose.

With second cousin Talina.

Christmas at home.  A new pouf.

Phone from sister.

Christmas morning cinnamon rolls.

More car time for these two.

New Dora dollhouse play date with Daddy.

Got to see her bestie!

Movie with Aunt Angie and cousin Lily.

Gibbs Christmas.

And I almost forgot - our Santa photo!  Doesn't he look sad?

And a couple recent Maggie quotes to end today's post:
Me: "Maggie, what do you want for breakfast this morning?"
Maggie: "A DVD - caf."

Maggie, one morning, "I just want to worship God."
Me (trying to understand her train of thought): "Why, honey?"
Maggie: "Because I just love Him so much!"