Yep. We have a lot to give thanks for here in the Black house. We have a beautiful family and a wonderful house and 8 tiny reindeer.
We got to go to Grand Forks this week for Thanksgiving. The trip up and back wasn't that bad for weather and the family was fun to see. I especially enjoyed hanging out with Isaac for a few days and seeing Kirby about to give birth to her first child. I also loved that Levi and Great Grandma Sue got to hang out together and play Monopoly. I sure wish we lived closer so that those visits were closer together.
A couple of quick church updates. A few weeks ago Sam got to speak in front of the church and give a testimony why we give. I'll share the entire message on Monday when I can upload it to the blog. It went well and I got a lot of nice feedback including a nice card from the new pastor, Jay.
We also had some sad news at Church this weekend when we found out that a husband and wife who were very involved in our church died from a house fire on Friday night. It was like 2 miles from our house and Christina saw the firetrucks and smoke when she was out running errands on Friday. Very sad story, and a reminder to us about the fragility of life. Here's the Star Tribune story about the fire.
What else. Sam hung some Christmas lights on Saturday. That was after he had already taken all the kids to the play area at the Eden Prairie Mall.
Roman and Ivy are talking more, sitting on the potty some and playing with trains a lot. They also have certain things that they like to do (like brushing teeth) and don't like to do (like putting their pacifiers away). And believe me they let us know about it. Ivy has become very particular about her pink dishes and silverware and sheets - calling them "mine".
Ezra is still doing gymnastics and liking it. He's also enjoying preschool three times per week. His teacher is taking a new job (in a better paying career) and so her last week is this week. Its not clear who is going to take over once she's done, but I'm confident Ezra will roll with the change. He hasn't shown any stress about the switch yet at all and we've known for almost two weeks.
Levi is doing well at school. He's still taking Chess and actually beat his dad in a game a week ago. He also is reading very well and of course, really likes math class too.
That's about all the updates for now. Here are some photos to check out.
Sam
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| At the Blackhawk concert together. |
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| Self-portrait of Levi |
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| Ezra at the downtown library w/daddy |
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| Preschool thanksgiving feast |
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| Ezra and Miss Debbie, his teacher |
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| Roman and Ivy (right) pointing to a photo of Grandpa Black |
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| Notice Roman's sweater - and the "ruff" he's playing with match |
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| So excited for Kirby and Jake - days or hours from now we could have a new cousin |
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| We've had a little snow on our patio |
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| At the Eden Prairie Mall ... a lot of little blonde 1-3 year olds running around. |
