Settling In

Well, we've been in Chicago for almost a month now and are finally feeling like we're settling into our new home. Most of the boxes are unpacked. And today we even managed to pull the van into the garage! Yay! Now we don't have to worry about the snow coming. But we do still need to fit one more vehicle in. The kids have loved our new home and the extra space it provides them to play. They've even enjoyed playing outside a little, although it's rather limited with the colder temperatures. Micah is still learning that he needs to grab a coat before he walks out the door, but I'm sure that will set in a little better when the temperatures drop.

Daddy made signs to greet the kids when they came in to the house.

The kids have been creative in some of their new play adventures, and they've been having fun together so that has been nice. They (especially Micah) are eager to make new friends and have enjoyed a few opportunities we've had to get together with other families from Harvest. Here's a few pictures from our first month here...

Daddy also had a special treat that he made for the kids!

After they toured the house, they were excited to go check out the van (a purchase Daddy made before the rest of us arrived). Ashlyn's favorite part is the doors the slide by themselves. She is quick to let us know that she doesn't need any help opening the door.

We were glad to find a Chick-fil-a just a few miles from our house, and just in time for peppermint chocolate chip shakes!

This kids wanted so badly to play with boxes when we were packing in CA. They weren't allowed to there, but we promised that once we got to IL they could play with a whole bunch of them.

Daddy built them Ft. Boxes, Illinois! The fort has been up for nearly a month now. And we've found that the kids have "moved in." If you go inside you'll find plates, cups, a flashlight, little Christmas tree, and various toys.

The kids were so excited to open boxes and find all their toys.

Piled high with all her stuffed animals

Micah was thrilled to find his legos again

He has spent most of his first month here playing with his legos

They were also eager to help with putting together a new shelf...

Hammering away

Busy at work

Yeah! It's almost done!

But after the shelf was built, they had even more fun playing in the box. This was a great hide out for several days!

The kids and I drove around town one day to check out our new surroundings. Here we are in the mall outside their Winter Wonderland.

Ashlyn had fun playing in the play area. Unfortunately Micah is now too tall for a lot of these little kid areas. He loves that he is getting bigger, but sometimes he wishes he wasn't.

In the midst of trying to set up house, we found a little time for some Christmas activities. Here the kids are making a gingerbread house that we received as a white elephant gift at a Christmas party.

And of course we had to set up the tree. Here's Nathan putting on the finishing touch.

Micah was very excited to look out the window one afternoon and see snow falling.

Micah was eager to shovel the driveway!

And Ashlyn just had fun playing in the snow!

 We hear (from everyone) that the weather this year is very unusual. They all say there is usually lots of snow in December. But we've only seen a few sprinklings of it, and what has come was gone within a day. So Micah didn't get the white Christmas that he was looking for, but I'm sure we'll have other opportunities for that. As for me, I'm thankful for the unusually warmer temperatures in the 40's (which is still cold for me) as we settle into the Midwest. I'm learning the art of layering clothes, even while I'm indoors.