February Fun

Life here is very different for the kiddos. They were all very excited at the prospects of snow as we were coming here. To tell the truth though, Shreveport had more snow than we did in the month of February. None the less here are Emma, Jane and Benjamin sporting their new "snow" boots which have turned out to be fairly good for mud as well. Who would have guessed? It is colder here though and the girls are trying to get used to the idea of wearing leggings and pants instead of just dresses and skirts all the time.

Philip has decided that he likes the cows. It was like talking to Bambi the first time I took him out. First he shouted at the calves "Here Cows!!!" while holding out a rock for them to eat apparently. Then he started calling everything a cow. The cat in this picture didn't mind to much that Philip kept calling it a cow, but he too was not fond of the idea of eating a rock. To make the experience even more comical it seemed every calf in every corral RAN away from Philip. The poor guy. He just wanted to be friendly, but his volume does take a little to get used to. He is not discouraged, though. I here, "Look mommy! Cows!" everywhere we go now, but out here there are really cows everywhere and so most of the time he is right.

This little guy was just three days old when we went out to meet him. Philip really liked him.

This month I have to give kudos to Uncle Cliff. He said, "You buy it and I will build it" and so we bought. . .

and he built a wonderful swing-set/play-yard. Many many hours went into it and many hours have already come out of it.

Jane loves the swing, well they all do really.

And everyone loves the slide. Especially when Uncle Cliff goes down with you. This will be well loved for years after we leave. What an awesome effort from Uncle Cliff, Uncle Kenny, and even Jacob who found nuts and bolts and held boards, ect. Thanks Cliff for helping Jacob feel of worth.

Matthew is learning to smile this month. I can't believe he is at that stage already!

Uncle Cliff actually helped us get all settled. He was here for over two weeks and got everything situated from play yards outside to electronics and ceiling fans inside. All of the kids were sad when he left.

Grandma has a piano and everyone loves to hear her play. She has an, "everyone can play if you use just your fingers" rule. I love this rule! I love that they all want to play.

More smiles from our little Matthew. Grandma is good at getting smiles.

Here is the little bit of snow we did get this month. As you can see there is not much, but what a commotion it made. The kids played and played and it was melted and gone by noon, but it was a great morning!

Benjamin and Emma have become more connected than ever. They dance and play and I am glad they have each other.

It seems Jane wants to have that same connection with Matthew. She just loves to talk to him. She will actually push me away from him so that she can have HER chance to love and kiss him.

To think of her as a big sister is strange. She is still my "baby girl," and at least she still loves to snuggle! But she really is so good and soft with Matthew I feel she must remember him from before.