Deer, pinochle...oops!

The big girls are gone huntin' this morning with daddy. I don't understand what's so exciting about waking up before 5 am, but that's just me. This is Madison's second endeavor, and Breanne's first trip. Yesterday, Derrick went with a friend "real" hunting (as in hiking around, not driving like he will be with the girls) and Madison said, "Why would he walk? We're gonna drive." So off they went this morning (then I went back to bed). Breanne's last thought was, "Umm, do we have the donuts along?" Should be an adventure and hopefully they get something.
Last night, Derrick and I played in a Pinochle tournament. First tournament ever for me and probably my second time playing this year for that matter. (The first time was night before last as we "brushed up on our skills" with some friends.) We didn't win...Montana rules!
Aliya is getting more stable on her feet every day. She definitely has older sisters. She's really tough and maybe even mean since she knows how to hold her own. Here's a series of pictures of her walking across the living room....oops!

One small step for girl...one big step in education

It's official. Aliya is walking. She's now choosing to walk (rather than crawl) across the room. She walks across the basement to play with the toy kitchen, she plays with her "di-das" (I'm thinking it's code for sisters.) Yesterday, I handed her a banana and she said, "tan-tu" (thank you.) All this at once.

Madison just read through an entire book with me. She's sounding out even more successfully now and is very expressive, using inflections for the question marks and exclamation marks.

Breanne is growing...or maybe she's just "hungry" because she see the HUGE bowl of Halloween candy in the living room.

It's snowing in Billings. Praying the moisture escapes Minnesota!

Dear Daddy...

Happy Halloween!

Madison as Tinkerbell, Breanne as Irdessa (the orange fairy) & Aliya as the cutest little ladybug I've ever seen! Notice the girls' hair in (as Breanne's says) a "bundle," or bun...whatever.

..on a jet plane..

"I'm leavin' on a jet plane," was Derrick's tune this morning. Except we think we know when he'll be back again. Things seemed to go smoothly as the Ethiopia Work Team left this morning. They arrived in Chicago without an problems and we won't have phone contact with Derrick again until they get back to the states. They do have a blog, if you'd like to follow:

http://www.ehworkteam.blogspot.com/

Madison & Breanne had their own tunes to sing this morning. They were excited about the Halloween parties in their classes. Madison's school wasn't allowing kids to dress up, but she did get to dress in her favorite team apparel. Isn't she an awesome Viking? She even has the blonde braids! She's wearing Derrick's old jersey.

Last weekend we carved our jack-o-lanterns. This is a super exciting endeavor for a 4 & 5-year old. And it may be less than thrilling for a 1-year old. We made them clean out SOME of their own "guts" and they got to draw their own faces. Breanne's ended up with a face and legs. Madison's has a mustache and a beard ("may I help you?")

Birthday Boy

"Mom, is the birthday boy at home?" Breanne asked as I picked her up from preschool today. Unfortunately, the birthday boy had to go to work today, but we're planning a party tonight. Here's what other nonsense is coming out of the mouth of our five-year old. "Daddy, mommy is WAAAAY older than you!" Of course, Derrick just eats that up....

Last weekend was fall break from school and we had Minnesota cousins come visit us! It was really a fun time. On Friday, we went to the REEF (indoor water park) and the kids had a blast. They also had a blast playing the Wii. Although, I'm not really sure who had more fun-the kids or Kelly? We made popcorn, played games, watched movies, made homeade icecream and also went to the Corn Maize that was full of fun adventures. We took in the pig races, the hay slides, Lucas and Carter liked the pedal karts, lots of fun mind games, duck racing and the corn pile. Madison was the biggest trooper during the maze itself. She never complained and was determined to finish. We've also started a new family tradition. After the corn maize, we head to the Funky Monkey for smoothies. We roped the Krachts into this tradition with us. Aliya was especially fond of those smoothies. I've never seen a baby suck through a straw so fast in my life. She polished off mine and anything the big girls didn't want to finish.

Aliya was also become a little traveler. She's now taking first steps. My, what a big girl she is. We're so proud of her.

Derrick is getting prepared for his trip to Africa. Please be in prayer for him (October 30-November 7). Pray specifically for:

1. That he wouldn't get sick (flu/cold) before leaving

2. That he'd be able to meet our sponsored Compassion International Child, Andinet, while he is there

3. For effective mission work

4. The girls and I as we stay home

Sunny, Sunny

As Breanne puts it, "I just want it to be warm outside!" After a week and a half of cold weather, the warm front is headed our way. It was so wonderful to experience 50 degrees again yesterday! And Breanne got to visit the Fire Station with her preschool class. She kept going back and forth on whether or not Aliya and I could accompany her. It all hinged on whether or not she'd get to ride with her friends. She definitely ditched me for Trinity and Natalie. Literally, she didn't want to ride with me. She rode with Trinity in her car which is "WAY faster than our van." Breanne was her typical shy self infront of the firefighters and wouldn't sit at the driver's wheel or answer questions I knew she knew (like stop, drop & roll.) Instead, she quietly watches and listens, processing it all and talking about it later. It was a great morning to be out and about.

Madison is excited to have some time off from school (MEA) and is wondering where is the homework she's suppose to work on over the weekend. (I guess she likes school.) The Kracht cousins are enroute to our house for a visit and Madi & Bre are sooo excited!

Aliya continues to be a sweet, busy baby. She loves the tub and now tries to climb in herself (fully clothed) when I start running the bath water. Her two top teeth are really starting to come in. Here's what Derrick & I gave her for her birthday, now hanging in her room.