Future House

We drove out to our new land to walk around and enjoy the warm weather outdoors. We discovered tons of deer droppings in the wooded area. We'll have some forest friends.

I guess talking about our future house got Finneas thinking. Later that night he had a good talk with me:

"Mom, in our new house, not the one we live in but the one we're going to build, I want the guys who are going to build the house to put in my room a garbage can. And a bathroom. And these pajamas I'm wearing. And food. And a kitchen so I can make things. And blankets and a bed. (smiling): Of course I'll need a bed! And a fireplace. And this (pointing to the computer). And on my computer I want only kid games. And when I'm 16, I will want a TV. And I'll want to eat in my room so I want napkins. And a table. And toys; I definitely want toys, too. And books on a bookshelf.

"And I want one more thing... let me think.... All the things that are in the kitchen today. But not an oven. I want to have a fireplace in my room but not an oven. Actually I want two fireplaces and I will share them.

"That's all. That's all I want.

"Wait, one more thing. I want ice cream in my room. And I want gum and gummy worms. And I will definitely need a light switch!

(After I had finished writing all this down): "Mom? Can you take the paper that you wrote down all the things that I want in my room and give it to the 2 guys who are going to build our house and give it to them tonight in the middle of the night? And this is what you say: 'The boy with short hair, his name is Finn, and he wants these things on this paper in his room.'"

Spring Break: Wisconsin Dells

 For Spring Break we met the other Hallam/Cheneys in the Wisconsin Dells at the Kalahari Resort. Oh my, the hotel condo was super luxurious - 3 floors, 5 bedrooms, kitchen/living areas, basement TV room with pool table and card-playing table and bar area. The kids were wowed!

So much to do already! 

The girls wanted to serve the root beer floats like real servers.

But of course the main attraction was the indoor water park!

 Grandma gave the three big girls matching swimsuits. They look lovely!

 I took the most pictures of kids riding the wave on a boogie board. 

I was so impressed with how brave they were!

Here is Saffi:

 Annabelle:

 Lizz:

 Justus, Ezra and I all took a turn, too. So fun!!

Even Olivia? Yes, even little daredevil Olivia!:

 Here's Uncle David:

 Jonah makes it look easy:

 Grace flipped to her back on the board. Pretty impressive!

Little Olivia, so cute:

Silly Kids surviving the long, cold winter

We have had a long, cold winter. Almost every week we have had school either cancelled or delayed because of dangerously cold temperatures. Here are a few inside happenings:

Trying out new hair styles:

Enjoying the sun pouring in from the window on a Sunday afternoon. Reading the friend magazine.

Building a fort in the living room with neighbors Deanna and Anthony:

Inside the fort: 

Building sculptures out of play-do, cheerios, and dry spaghetti. 

Olivia stuck:

Pineapple cowboy hat (he made it himself):

Winter Visit to Kansas

Weekend in MN

Finn was not feeling great last week, with very runny nose and light fever. Here is resting on the couch, with his favorite blanket, puppy, and postcard from Grandma! So cute!

Grandpa Arne came and got the kids (everyone but Jonah) Friday night and took them to his house. Yeah for Grandma and Grandpa! After spending the night, they all drove up together to MN to play with cousins! I hear since the weather was so cold, they spend the afternoon at the church gym running around, riding scooters, playing ball, and having a picnic pizza dinner. Fun! Then all the girl cousins plus Emmeline and Grandma Susan spent the night at a hotel!! Oh the memories!

At home, Jonah attended a school dance party with his friend. Went to a wrestling practice/fun match, and went to his best friend's birthday pool party. While home, there was no one to tease but Mom. He had fun making me scream a few times.

Ezra and I went out for pie Friday night. Then Saturday night we went to a work holiday party - a murder mystery dinner. Fun evening!

Sunday morning everyone met back together in MN at Lizz and David's house. We had brunch, then off to church for Callahan's baby blessing. Callahan is a darling baby loved by many!

All the men with baby Callahan:

Here we are Monday morning. I have been gathering ideas for letter recognition activities for Finn. He is not interested in writing or coloring or normal projects. So I have to go the more creative route. Here he is fishing for balls with letters written on them:

Late in the morning we drove Daddy to the airport. He is on his way to Houston, TX for a week-long review course to prepare himself for oral medical boards. The test will be in April. Time for him to start studying. 

And here, Finn fell asleep before naptime. The kids are all a bit tired today.