The great outdoors

It sure feels like Spring here in central Iowa, even though winter has yet to make an official appearance! We're not complaining today though. It's 65 degrees, we're playing outside, our windows are open in the house. It's really hard to believe that less than 48 hours ago we had a nice snowfall and Cassidy was making snow angels! It's so fun exploring our new yard!

Grandpa and Grandma

Grandpa and Grandma Faust made the long journey from Michigan to visit us for the first time at the end of February. It was so great to show them our new home, town, and church. One day was spent in Des Moines at the Science Center. Here are some highlights from our time together.The ball wall=fun for hours!

Travis and Daddy lounging in the planetarium where we watched a special Sesame Street presentation. It was great and the kids loved it!

Cassidy, looking up at the "night sky" in the planetarium.

The perpetually happy Trav!

I'm ready to go to church with you, Grandpa!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We are having such a fun day! The sun is shining, we're listening to love songs, we're eating candy, and we had a party! Cassidy and Travis hosted their first annual Valentine's Day party. There were 14 of us (kids and adults) here today. We had a pizza lunch, played, and decorated cookies. We are so very, very grateful for the blessing of new and wonderful friends to share days like this with. Thank you, LORD for each and every one of them!!! The host and hostess.

Blake!

All the kids love playing on the porch.

There was lots of love being shared.

The kids traded Valentine hugs and kisses. Here, Blake is going in for a kiss to Joel's foot!

About two seconds later, this was a hug between Trav and Blake:

After lunch we all headed upstairs to play. Cassidy was eager to show everyone her new big girl bed!

Handsome Joel, a future Zoolander methinks. :)

Sweet baby Charlotte, hungry for some puppy.

The Schaben sisters

Cassidy and Drake had fun with Mr. Tomato Head, as Cassidy calls him.

Travis loves Charlotte. She seems to like him a lot too, but in this picture he's clearly enjoying their interaction more than she is! He is very gentle and loving to her though, and pats her head, saying "nice baby" over and over.

My buddy, Drake: cookie decorator extraordinaire.

This is some serious cookie sprinkle concentration.

Rachel and Blake

There's my friend Sarah Schaben. She's about as excited to have her picture taken as I am. Cheap, using your kid that way. :) Actually, Charlotte is a little cuter, so I'll let it slide.

Cookie Decorating Extravaganza!

Happy Ruby!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Early Valentine

It was a day we've been waiting on for weeks: today she wore her Valentine dress to church! A dress with a big heart on the front is enough to make this girl pretty excited but the fact that the heart was made of flower petals? Well, that put it over the edge. She had lots of fun being a walking Valentine today! The pink sunglasses were her idea. A true diva, don't you think?!

Love for Kitty.