New Season

The weather has finally changed.  Last year we received our first snow fall on October 3.  I remember the exact day because it is Jeffrey's birthday and he was praying to see snow on his birthday.  We also were able to attend the Calgary open house that day, so it was pretty special.

This year we have enjoyed a mild autumn with great weather. On Thanksgiving Monday  we drove through the mountains  and enjoyed the scenery.  This lake is truly spectacular.  Lake Moraine used to be on the back of the Canadian twenty. It was great to get out of the house, move around a bit, have a break in the homeschool routine and enjoy the last family outing that we would have as a family of 7.

This guy said hi to us from the side of the road.  The boys thought he would make a good pet

Snow finally fell towards the end of October.  The definitive seasonal change was undeniable.  Winter is slowly settling in here in Calgary.  We are starting a new season as a family as well.  Our little girl arrived just a few days after the snow.  Our boys LOVE the winter up here and have been anxiously awaiting the first snowball fight and first all day sledding extravaganza.  But they were even more excited to welcome their little sister, Elena Belle Andrus, home.  And I think she was a little excited to finally meet her big brothers.  The boys are so gentle and sweet with her.  My heart swells when I see Ethan sitting next to Elena's chair reading her a book.  Nathaniel likes to hold her and sing to her. The older three are making a "baby dictionary".  They are writing down what certain cries sound like, in the attempts to understand what she is saying and help her better.  Bryant is totally smitten with this little girl- and rightfully so.  She has been with us less than two weeks and already each of us is better because of her.   

It is taking awhile to find our new rhythm... but life goes on and we couldn't be happier. Most of the time (when we aren't having meltdowns and tantrums born of sheer exhaustion) we look like this :

I would like to say this is a picture of the boys being overjoyed to welcome their mother home with their new hermanita but that would not be true.  This little guy is the real reason for the excitement

So this winter, this season, is all about change for our family.  Welcoming a girl into this tribe will definitely bring changes.  Having and navigating SIX kids feels like a big change. Change can be good.  It can bring growth and development.  I think come spring we will have grown alot. I for one am looking forward to every minute of it.