Jeff and the kids did a lot of leaf raking the past few weeks. The leaf-sucking truck came by every few days and when it did the kids raced for the window. This is the spot where they stand to watch the trash truck and the recycling truck and where they wave to and blow kisses to our neighbor, Roz as she leaves for work. Guess who picked out Kolbe's clashing ensemble?!?After a wonderful Thanksgiving at my Aunt Cathy's, we headed to Branson for the weekend. Silver Dollar City was beautiful with all of the lights and decorations. Kolbe went on his first roller coaster ride. Jeff took him, thank goodness. Later in the evening Jeff took Libby on the flying hotair balloon ride. I stayed safely on the ground. The Christmas tree was spectacular and both kids enjoyed dancing to the Christmas Carols. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather, we had a great time together!
On the way back to the hotel Grandma was buckling Kolbe's carseat and having a bit of trouble, he chimed, "You old people have a hard time doing this, don't you?!?" Luckily Grandma is not easily offended! :)

I am home back safe and sound, and we have been busy on many different tasks, chief among them, reintegrating as a family. It has been a serious struggle in a lot of ways, but we have weathered it together. I will try to assist in the authoring phases of this, so hopefully we can keep it up and going on a regular basis for everyone.

New developments: We move closer every day to opening our upstairs for use. An office space and the kids bedroom is the goal for up there, and we hope to have it ready by Christmas. Leaves have been an incessant task for us, and the kids have been as big a part of that as anyone. Kolbe is hammering away at school, and has really learned to enjoy it. This week, he has decided that he wants to start taking showers alone. With a lot of supervision, he is taking them ever so often, as supplements to his baths. He really gets a kick out of being the big boy. As for the photo below, Kolbe loves for the two of them to be dressed alike.