This and That: what's been going on since we got home

 First of all, when we got home, look what we found waiting for us on the kitchen table (I don't know how he does it, but I do think he felt a little guilty that he hadn't remembered to celebrate Valentine's Day in Mexico). The bouquet was lovely and was a wonderful way to bring some of the brightness and warmth of our trip home with us to enjoy a bit longer. Thanks, dear!

these really come close to beating the heart-shaped pancakes :)

 Then a night or so later, I found this very sweet note sitting on our bed at bedtime:

thanks, Jared- we are so glad you had as much fun as we did on our trip!

And later in the week, I heard Marcus say in reference to our week in Mexico, "it was sure worth all that work in the garden!"

This week, we finally had a little real winter weather. Not as bad as predicted, which is fine, especially because it would have created a huge problem to have to cancel the Fairview Haven Employee Appreciation dinner, but enough to get out my camera anyway. You know, its getting difficult to keep a houseful of kids busy all winter without some snow to play in. This amounted to about an inch, but at least we got that. And I wouldn't really have wanted to endure the storms that the more western mid-west has experienced! I appreciate electricity afterall. 

And then there's Ty. He has spent quite a lot of time at our house this week and we are actually feeling quite handy with six kids. Praying today is the day his little sister comes home from the hospital to stay! We have so enjoyed having him. Today he found a great place to play- alone. (probably needed a break from Kenan.)

Here is the barn.

Here is the barn with something emerging from the door.

                                                       And here is Ty!

And lastly, we're afraid Kenan has been a bad influence... for more than once, we have found sweet Ty sucking his thumb when Kenan is! Oh dear.