News from IN the house!

Well -It's my turn to let everyone know what is happening in the house and how everyone is adjusting. With Jim having a much shorter commute (hahaha), we are all priviledged to see him more often. The girls sometimes take their bagels out and have breakfast with him!

The girls love living with their cousins! They really don't want us to live in our own house at all! "The longer it takes to finish our house, the better!" School is going very well. They really like doing school together. We do history, science and geography as a group.  The school day is a different routine than in MN, but that's okay - it has gone well. Donna has been gracious to include us so readily. It has been fun to have a built in co-op!

Truth be told, Jim and I need to intentially carve out time with each girl - or a week goes by, and all that's been said is "Good morning" and "Sweet Dreams!"

Both girls are going to start piano within the next couple weeks. Hopefully Sarah will start dance in February. Bekah is looking forward to soccer in the spring. I'm sure she will find lots of things to do in the meantime. Both girls have been going to Awana at The First Baptist Church - with the Gilmore kids. They have made some new friends, and overall have adjusted very well. Thank goodness for EMAIL for they do miss their MN friends and family very much!

Cooking for ten people is a challenge - never know exactly how much is enough. The dinner table is a fun place to be too! Lots of laughing and talking. Now I know what it is like to be part of a big family! This week was my week to cook - next will be Donna's. We have decided to divide and conquer - we may even make up meals in advance and just stick them in the freezer. That would be a stretch for us both on organization, but it just might work!

I have enjoyed getting to know some different ladies from church through small group. Lots of really neat relationships already exist, and I am thankful that they are so willing to include me!

I still miss all of you - and again - I am so thankful for email and cell phones!

Zeb is doing amazingly well. Don't know if he remembers life here from vacation, but he has fit in great. He was playing with Brodyr (the 139 lb Newfoundland) - who was not real sure what Zeb was doing! He's probably getting fat - or fluffy, can't tell for sure.  The Gilmore's are picking up another Newfy puppy this weekend.  So, that will make four adults, six kids, four dogs, four cats, one horse and a hamster!  The adults are outnumbered!!!

Have not been skiing as of yet, but I figure we have time for that later.  We did enjoy going to Breckenridge on Saturday to see the International Ice Carving festival.  It's only about 1.5 hours away. LOTS of people everywhere!!  It was beautiful weather (almost 40 degrees!) and the sculptures were very cool.  We came home and sat in the hot tub and watched the stars come out.  We are really getting used to the beauty here.  Thankfully I have not seen any mountain lions or bears yet!

Overall - we are adjusting well! We are still looking forward to visits from friends (and would welcome anyone who wants to start an adventure of their own out here!!) :)

Nancy