Beans, beans, and more beans!

Daniel's absolute favorite activity right now is playing with dried beans. We filled a container with five pounds of beans, gave him some spoons and cups, and let him play! It is like an indoor sandbox. Several times each day, Daniel will say, "Beans, beans," and I will pull out the container. Beans often get spread all over the kitchen, but it keeps little man occupied, so is definitely worth it. On Saturday morning, Daniel got Daddy to play "Beans" with him.
The beans were soon flying everywhere...notice the shower coming down on Daniel's head.
Daddy said, "You want beans on your head? I'll give you beans on your head!"

Yesterday, I pulled the beans out again, this time to occupy Daniel while I cleaned up the kitchen. I turned my back to wash some dishes, and the next thing I knew Daniel had stripped down to his t-shirt and diaper and was sitting in the beans.

He was particularly interested in how they stuck to his feet.
But, walking with beans underfoot is not very comfortable!
About two minutes after this last photo, I had gone back to washing dishes. When I glanced at him again, the diaper was lying on the floor and Daniel was sitting in the beans again. We called it quits after that...I didn't want the bean box to become a litter box.

Happy Winter

You know, I really like winter until about the middle of January. And then I start longing for spring. Oh, to go outdoors without wearing fourteen layers! We received several seed catalogs in the mail this week, as well as the February/March issue of Birds and Blooms. I felt deep longing for the beautiful flowers in those pictures. I found myself huddled on the heat vent dreaming of the lovely spring sunshine.

It seems this winter has been particularly wearing (yet simultaneously beautiful, I must add). Last week was so dreadfully cold that we hardly left the house. I literally heard this phrase come from my mouth… “Brian, we are going to have a warm snap tomorrow. It will be in the 20s!” Since when is 20 degrees considered a warm snap? Daniel and I are both tired of being trapped indoors. CABIN FEVER!!!!

Today has been better though. We started off the morning reading the book, Happy Winter, by Karen Gundersheimer. It is a delightful children’s book for a winter day. The book follows two sisters who enjoy their winter activities to the fullest. They bake a fudge cake with their mother, and that spurred Daniel and me on toward some baking of our own. We made eggless, milkless, nutless banana bread. Despite all its missing ingredients, it tasted delicious and made the house smell wonderful. Yum! The weather is warmer today too, so we are planning an outdoor adventure for the afternoon followed by a trip to see Great-Grandma Ruth and Grandma Linda. Life is feeling pretty good again. Winter, I have decided you can stay for awhile longer. I am not so sure about two more months though. Oh dear. Maybe we should read Happy Winter again.

I will leave you with a photo of our new little friend. This squirrel has been a frequent visitor on our deck this winter. He loves the sunflower seeds we put out for the birds. Here he is digging down in the snow for them and popping up to eat them.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and more!

We had several lovely Christmas celebrations with our family during the last few weeks. Here are some (actually a lot!) of our snapshots. We pray you and yours had a blessed Christmas as well.

Daniel with Grandpa Roger

I love the look on Daniel's face as he opens the present above.
He LOVED opening presents this year!

Daniel with Uncle Kevin and Aunt Sara

Here is the little man with one of his favorite presents...
a battery powered John Deere tractor and trailer.
Now if only the weather would cooperate so we could get back outside and ride it.

Here I am with my new polka dot mud boots from Brian.
I love them!

My brother and Brian in their new deer hunting masks.

Daniel helping Uncle Jonathan unwrap his present.

Daniel's Great-Grandma "Ru" and Grandma Linda

Daniel shooting his first basket on his new goal.

Too cute

Daniel opening Grandpa John's bear trap for him.
Yes, I said bear trap.

Daniel and his new lawnmower, which he is very, very attached to.

Sisters, sisters, there never were such devoted sisters!
(Or sisters-in-law as the case may be.)
Name that movie...

Daniel wearing the same outfit as his new mouse!

Three generations...Brian, Grandma Missi, and little man

And last of all, our family photo from our Christmas card.

Merry Christmas!
(Two weeks late, but it's the thought that counts...right?)