I left you with the parting shot of my son in winter clothes while being indoors because our electric had been out. Well, I don't know if I failed to mention that it was 42 degrees in our home and I finally got out of the house with my children in order to get warmed up! It was pathetic. Here are some more pictures from that ordeal:

My dad and Atlee nailing up blankets over the door and other openings in order to keep as much heat in as possible.

Was it really this painful? YES!!!!

Daddy made it fun for the children. He made it sort of like a dress up day. Of coarse, I think that Atlee and I my dad enjoyed putting on a bunch of different hats and looking weird.

On normal days, this is the kind of picture I would get. My dad ready to Nathaniel.

It is our tradition, when we can afford to, that we all get to open one present Christmas Eve and it is pajamas that they get to where Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning. Here's Nate and Elaina loving their new pj's!

And here's a classic: Yes, it's Christmas, and supposed to be a joyous occasion. Here's sleeping beauty!

We are now experiencing a new season in northern Indiana. The weather is very similar to northwestern PA with a little less humidity. There’s a continual breeze and some days this breeze is powerful enough to send us to the basement with a tornado warning! Nothing too serious has taken place yet but it’s enough to keep me aware of the local tornado siren and have a tornado “kit” available. The months of October and November seem to be some of the worse!

It has been chilly this week and we even saw some snow, but nothing like "home." Here's a picture of Elaina enjoying the outdoors.

Yes, he really does vacuum for me! I know, mom's that are reading this would love for Nathaniel to come and visit them. (by the way, he really would vacuum for you!)

A very celebratory moment for me: my best friend, Janelle Glick, had her first child. A little boy, Lucas David. Oh, he is SO precious! This is Nathaniel admiring little "baby Lucas."

The older he gets, the more his sense of humor is coming alive. Nathaniel just had to give his sister, Nena (as he calls her), and ride around wearing his sunglasses.

A close up.

Nathaniel's first pumpkin. He was SO excited to think about getting a pumpking this fall. One day Daddy surprised him with a little gift.

There are days when I lament the loss of our grand old place back in Meadville, PA. Our neighbors were friends, everything was familiar and it was HOME. In moments of exasperation, I find my mind harkening back to those good ol' days. . .

Our neighborhood 4th of July BBQ. We set up the food tables in our garage. This is Atlee making homemade ice cream.

Here is Glenn, our neighbor across the street, grilling the hamburgers and hot dogs on Del's grill, the next door neighbor.

My sweet next door neighbor, Donna, and her little girl Delaine. (I hope I spelled that correctly) Our daughters are about a month apart.

Atlee and I provided sparklers for the children.

Enjoying life and being cheesy with Grandma.

And the time came. . .for us to say goodbye.

Atlee saying goodbye to his dad.

And his mom

On the road. Nathaniel got to ride with Daddy in the big truck while we 3 women were in mom's van. Atlee's younger brother, Weston, also came along to help us.

Some of us were unfazed. . .

Our move was crazy. I never got a picture of us loading the truck or unloading. I guess I was too busy! HA! Understatement of the year!

Once we got to our "new home" we had LOTS of cleaning to do. As a matter of fact, that is all we did for the first week. Cleaning, and unpacking, and setting things up. . .

Weston trying to get the handles to stay on our cabinets.

Cleaning

We did so much that even the children to help.

Look what we found in a box!

Just call us "hillbilly central!" Yes, the blinds needed to be cleaned so one hot & sunny day, Atlee and Weston tackled this job. They got ALL the blinds washed, dried and rehung. We just had to endure a day of looking like really hicks in the sticks!!

Leslie, another one of Atlee brothers, came out a week after we got here. He is living with us and teaching at the same school as Atlee as well. He has been a tremendous blessing to our family. The children just adore him and Nathaniel loves reading with his Uncle.

I call this one: the wild and colorful on the stairs!

She is never more wild as when she's in the bath tub!

In our new little kitchen - cluttered with dishes and STUFF!

And with the unpacking of the house came the decorating to classrooms!

Lots of late hours in Atlee's classroom.

This is one of my favorites.

Atlee in his classroom, standing under his motto for the year.

And after all is said and done: These women are exhausted!!!

We are enjoying the gorgeous sunsets!

And little Elaina is growing up fast. (9 months old)

She's standing and attempting to walk now. She also chatters on and says a few words.

Daddy spending some quality time with his "little girlie" by dancing with her.

The few moments of quietness in this household are when Nathaniel is reading.

This girl has learned how to get into mischief. She likes to take everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, out of my kitchen drawers!

And I will leave you with one of my recent favorites:

 We live about a half mile from the train tracks. Elaina & Nathaniel are looking at the train that is passing by.