Hello February

I can't believe it is February all ready...

I am currently sitting her with my back doors wide open, all the windows in the house are open, and the kids are up all sorts of adventures in the back yard...

My current view inside the house.

  Come on in fresh air,

West Texas weather is one of the weirdest things I have ever experience - but I am so happy that it haven't been super cold this winter.

The kids are loving playing outside and we are seeing the first little signs of Spring emerge.  It is such a wonderful feeling.

first sign of weeds.

millie is on watch.

  I can't wait for Spring - I have been so busy planning our little vegetable garden - I have missed gardening so much since moving back to the States - and since our lives have  slowed down tremendously - I can't wait to get started.

We have also implemented a little food challenge with the kids.  My kids use to be pretty great eaters when we still lived in Germany (we had so many opportunities of exposure to great food and cultures) well since we have gotten to the States - they have become the pickiest of eaters - and it was even more apparent during our recent visit to South Africa.

Talk about frustrating the hell out of me.  I can't stand it when the kids just refuse to eat any and everything.

So once have settle back into our own form of normal - we created this chart together one morning - it was a ton of fun.

  So basically each week when we go and buy groceries, they each get to pick one new fruit or vegetable to try.  It has been such a game changer for us - and it has been so much fun, sparking lots of conversation about real food, eating in general, and cooking together.

  I am so happy to report - that Ian is now a huge fan of all bell peppers - hopefully he will just fall head over hills with most fruits and vegetables.

Hayleigh have been super into cooking the last couple of weeks, the moment i head to the kitchen she is there, ready to help with any and everything.

I have been taking deep breathes as I allow her into my favourite space - because it is necessary for her to learn but sometimes I just love being in the kitchen all by myself  - it is extremely relaxing.

We made granola together the other day.  Well we tend to make it once a week for a quick breakfast, a healthy snack, or sometimes we even eat it for dinner when Nate is at work.

  We have been loving the little African aprons my mom gave us - thanks mom.

Hayleigh is also excellent with a knife - her cutting skills have saved me hours in the kitchen,

Best gift ever - thanks ouma!

  We have continued our weekly or every ten day trips to the library - and the kids love it.  I am also happy to report that we finally have our first little reader - I am so proud of him - it took him a while to get over his frustration - but once it all click for him - man it is over.  I can't believe my little guy is growing up so fast.

With the new reading milestone - he has also lost his second tooth - time slow down!

  I love the seemingly endless rows of books in the library!  It makes me so happy.


Nate and I were able to go to his annual Fire Awards Banquet.  It was a nice night out without the kids.

I am once again so proud of Nate for everything he has accomplished in our two years here.

  I  just love him so much - he makes life one crazy adventure all of the time.  You never know what is coming....

I still can't believe it is February all ready - get ready for everything pink, red, white and full of hearts.

We decked out the living area with hearts and stuff today - it makes me so happy - and the kids are so excited!

  I am the luckiest - these two beauties - all mine!

  I have been slowly settling into and embracing the change of no more babies and toddlers - it is slow process - but since I have shifted my mind set - I have enjoyed them so much more.

I will try to be better with all the updates - I still take way to many pictures but I get distracted experimenting in the kitchen and before I know it several weeks have passed with no blog - I am sorry!!

Happy Wednesday!