Happy Easter

Yesterday Nala brought her boots and snowsuit over to Ben, clearly wanting to be taken outside. He got her all warm and cozy in her outdoor gear and was just finishing with his own gear when she grabbed my jacket and dragged it over to me so that I would come too. How do you say "no" to that? It was adorable but also made us realize how incredibly quickly these kids are growing up. This blog is a perfect example of how things change as the side panel describes a time that we barely recognize. So we are going to try to do better at updating you all on the comings and goings of our little troop--for you and so that we can remember all these special times.
Nala is almost 14 months old now and is very interactive. She loves to talk and is learning new words almost everyday. Nala is obsessed with shoes and boots. She is almost always tromping around the house with someones boots or shoes on her feet. And she loves to climb--stairs, ladders, on the couch, end tables... Needless to say, she keeps us on our toes. She has captured our hearts so completely and we can't imagine life without our little baboo (as Suava calls her).

Caitanna is still as carefree as ever! She loves to change her clothes multiple times a day, go outside for a quick run around the yard, wash her Polly Pockets in the sink, in general do whatever she fancies at any given time. We had a warm spell of weather a couple weeks ago and I went outside to find Caitanna in her bathing suit and rubber boots stomping in the puddles. She still LOVES to eat--and yes, that deserved all capitals. She is such a little sweetheart and is really enjoying going to school for her Pre-Kindergarten class each month.
Kai has grown up so much since he started school in September. He's grown a couple of inches (yay!) and is much more comfortable in a group setting. He is doing incredibly well at school but is anxious for summer to come! He still loves to be with family and spends a lot of time designing amazing K'nex and Lego creations. He and Suava draw a lot too and he surprised us with this fantastic painting that he did for his enrichment group at school.

Suava continues to do an excellent job at school. She is passionate about reading and regularly gets 20 or so chapter books from the library! She was in a drama enrichment program this fall and is in the school presentation of Aladdin this spring. She also helped to organize a Girls' Club at school. Suava loves to socialize with the girls from school in person and on the phone (so you know who to blame if you get a busy signal if when you call us). She has shot up a lot this past year too and jumped 3 shoe sizes. She is a great big sister and really demonstrated lately what a mature and caring girl she is becoming.

Suava took this pictures of our favorite copper-head cuties :)

Ben continues to improve our lives and our home with all his amazing skills. That man can do everything...and do it well! Presently he is completing the renovation on our staircase and front door entry. Our new front door looks great but pictures will have to wait until the project is complete!

I know this is a Christmas picture but we wanted to wish you all a great celebration of Christ's ultimate gift to us. We would love to have you all here for Easter but know that we miss you all and will be thinking of you all. We are so incredibly thankful that all our siblings (and their spouses) and parents know our great Saviour.