Readying the Troops

What a year!  We’re nearing the end and the Christmas letter is due soon, so a summary of our kids’ lives we shall expedite.  

Since our last post, we embarked on a great journey which began in the frollicking foothills of western Pennsylvania.  At Mimi and Grandpap’s, we stay-cationed all around to do fun activities in the wonderful weather.  Aunt Courtney and Uncle Kevin were there at first and got receipted again, so we had lots of fun people and food for their backyard barbeque.  Throughout the week, we went to Idlewild Park and the Pittsburgh Kid’s Museum, and a beach at Laurel Hill Lake.  Plus there were the bum slides, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, Playland, and so much happy food and games.  If you’re looking for cozy home vibes, local adventures, or just a great place to stay, try the Joseph Inn of Greensburg.  

2024 vs 2022.  Boy, trolleys shrink so fast.

The best part about lakes is getting to make your own

Skills, right??

Next we advanced onward toward the leeward foothills, where Lancaster and Carlisle stayed our ship.  Oma and Opa and aunt/uncle/cousin Dombachs can make everything amazing, even wet basements!  We definitely enjoyed our highlights at local agritourist haven Cherry Crest, and Knoebels amusement park, but also the Amish ice cream and Dombach pool party were totes the goats.  There’s nothing better than sugar, except maybe ice cream.  

The germ factory

The only attraction Summer needed was this 50ft tall slide

Knoebels train ride!

We continued our travels (and playback of Harry Potter audiobooks), ultimately landing in Union Mills, North Carolina to take part in missionary Equipping training at CIT (Center for Intercultural Training).  We found it to be a great place to feel at home, complete with lots of other soon-to-be missionaries who also had no place better to call home, in this midst of such transition!  While school hours were filled with Bible lessons, exploration of cultures around the world, and fun Friday field trips, the evenings found the Joseph kids riding borrowed bikes around the small campus, make-believing on the playground pirate ship, and playing countless rounds of Monopoly in the Commons.  Perfect weather the whole month!  Other than cultural studies, we had some precious takeaways–Dad learned about cooking, Mom learned about pneumonia, and everyone learned what rattlesnakes look like!

Falls Park on the Reedy, Greenville

Seriously this was every single afternoon

Goodbye Miss Gina!

The most adventurous hike that almost happened

Apple picking/snacking

Creek yoga led by Dimmy 

580 stairs later

Happy birthday Sally!

Visiting the Brodwaters

This seven-week saga was brought to you by Honda: The Power of Dreams.

Since then, we’ve tried pretending to be normal.  

Blending in to society

Elia is back to theater, and about to perform in the Wizard of Oz, this time on a real stage at Malone University!  She has been working hard at growing up, learning exponents, writing poetry, and beating her siblings in board games.  Elia has truly enjoyed opportunities to teach others, such as trying to teach board game rules or demonstrating sewing to Summer.  Science is still a favorite subject for her, so several Dad-homeschool-days have featured science lunches, where we learn a fun and crazy science topic with a video.  She’s excited to prove to herself next year that she can do anything, even attend a real school with real teachers and grades, and without wandering off campus or faking sick.  Sí se puede!

Cozy season has been her favorite

Flat tire fun with Mom!

Sophia has become quite the industrious helper at home with sweeping and various other chores, and even sweeps fairly regularly in my wood shop.  She loves crafting and reading during quiet time, having made countless yarn hats even here at the onset of winter, all while listening to Harry Potter books for the 5th or 6th time (this year alone).  Having been recognized for her ballet abilities, she’s been invited into a super-secret-awesome special performance on a second stage around Christmas time–we’re very proud and impressed by her!  She is also una estudiante estupenda in our Spanish classes, largely thanks to her diligence with Duolingo, and I think she’ll fare quite well in the Spanish-speaking world of border Texas.

Audiobooks for Dim

Inspired by the greatest, Miss Beth

The Fantastical Journey of Big Stick, Chapter 1

Outdoor church at Crossroads!

As of yet, we’ve still not found the limit of Ezra’s bounciness, as he continues to rock in chairs and bounce literally off walls, perhaps due to the temporary indoorsy-ness we’ve had since the weather turned.  But earlier in the fall, Ezra got to play in U7 soccer and rocked it, scoring multiple goals in many games, with varying levels of intentionality.  U7 was a blast but future older leagues will probably involve real practices and maybe a hint of strategy!  He loves board games perhaps just as much as Elia, with Splendor and Ticket to Ride and Machi Koro being some of his favorites.  His sweet 7th birthday invites went out just to Mom and Dad, a sweet and lovely gesture by a boy whose world is his oyster.

Birthday date at Quaker Steak and Lube!

Argentina, again

Running laps just for fun at Hoover High, 1m56s!

When dad fixes a head gash 

Summer is still the spunkiest, but also very sweet when she tries.  She was so sad to give up her bike (as we’ve recently been selling/donating so much) but looks forward to biking in the warmth of January very soon.  She’d have no qualms about moving to the far side of the moon, as long as they have Calico Critters and sidewalk chalk there.  With the older kids all school aged, we sometimes forget that she’s still just learning to read and sit for 20 minutes at a time, but we extend grace where needed.  She’s continuing with ballet, learning a few board games, but probably would prefer to spend most evenings at home, spending time with her beloved hero.  Bluey.  

Our most prolific colorer

She jumped on the Lego bandwagon!

Burrito Dim

Pillow Mountain Dim

We’re a work in progress!  Another two Pennsylvania trips for the holidays, and then a second great journey awaits!  Hopefully Santa will visit while we’re away and pack all of our stuff for us this Christmas.