Shaver Lake Fun!

We're really trying to do some special fun things now that we're settled in to our new home. We fully realize this is probably the only time we'll live in CA (just based on LCMS church locations), so we're trying to make it a year to remember. Next Sunday and Monday we're heading West even farther to see the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Here are some photos of our fun from the last week or two:

Norah enjoys getting to eat like a big girl now. Our picnic at Shaver Lake was the first time we let her bite chunks off the banana. She's also really good at picking up and eating a sandwich. Sidenote about our "big girl" - Norah is completely done nursing now, and we've decided it's time to give up the pacifier cold turkey. Nap #1 started out kind of rocky, but she's been asleep almost 2 hours now! I'll let you know how it ends up. Oh, the news bulletins in a Mommy's life!

The beautiful view of Shaver Lake... about 1 hour away from Fresno, up up up 5,000 feet. It was nice to see a lot of trees and greener grass since it actually rains up there. Tim and I both really enjoyed the fresh woodsy smell too. Tim said it was a real California smell and thinks it was Redwoods.

Norah didn't really enjoy putting her toes in the water, even though it was a nice temperature.

We had a pajama party in the living room a week or so again. Norah had had an early bath (probably dinner in her hair again!) so Mom and Dad got on jammies early too.

Tim's First Sermon at Peace

Tim preached his first sermon at Peace this morning. It went really well! He said he was nervous, but looked comfortable in the pulpit. I overheard many members saying he did a great job and that his sermon was just what we needed to hear this morning. The organist even joked, "Give that man a call!" Even though we know Tim has a lot to learn and much practice to do, it was still very flattering. The pastor was very happy about the sermon too. He had told Tim earlier this week that he was surprised to see this kind of work from a Seminarian. This morning he told him if he continues to do such a great job, he'll get to preach more than we originally thought. This was also the first time I wasn't nervous for Tim to preach. :-D

Here is a link if you want to read or browse over his sermon from this morning:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcNuajOJLSD3ZGRkNGN3dmRfMGN4dDI4Zmc1&hl=en

New Videos of Norah

This entertained Norah for a long time on our drive to CA. It still makes her laugh too!

Love for Psalty runs in the family!

Sometimes suppertime gets a little silly! :-D

She much prefers the ABC button to any of the letters... we hear "A B, A, A, ABC, A, A, A..." all the time now!

Norah Learning to Walk

Norah's "HI" Video

Hi is one of Norah's favorite words! :)

Norah's Habits

Norah LOVES her new babies! She is always kissing them.

Norah's favorite way to "play" is to pull all of her books off the shelf and take all her toys out of the baskets and then crawl all over them. We're still working on the cleaning up part!

In our Fresno apartment, we have a coffee table. Norah really enjoys it because it is the perfect size for her. She seems to always want her cup of water or juice right on the table where she can get to it any time. You can see she sure likes having a snack there too!


This picture is from Fort Wayne... Norah is extremely scared of the vaccuum cleaner. If we must vaccuum while she's awake she scurries right over to whoever is not vaccuumming and clings to them until it is over. At least she doesn't scream bloody murder anymore. In fact, yesterday I was able to vaccuum while Norah was in her high chair - no crying! I think she likes the light on the new vaccuum.

This is an action shot! Norah loves to play this chasing game with us. We hide or crouch behind something and pop out and chase her around the apartment. She squeals with delight!

While we were still in Fort Wayne, Norah watched more videos then normal to allow me to get packing done while she was awake. Baby Beethoven is her very favorite. The following two photos are Norah watching it... and she really turns into a zombie!

Norah's One Year Pictures

Yesterday we got Norah's one year pictures taken at JCPenney. She was so charming; we couldn't be happier with the results. Here are a few, even some of the fancy ones they digitally enhance, etc. Enjoy our little darling!




The above picture is the only one you can sort of see her one little tooth in... can't believe she still only has one. But that gummy grin is sure adorable!

We're HERE!

We got internet today so I can finally post an update!

We arrived in Fresno last Friday, the 31st. Two men from Peace helped us unload our moving trailer. It has taken us quite a while to get mostly settled in. We unpacked the last box today and only have a few items left to be put in a closet or under a bed somewhere.

Trustees from church got a new couch and loveseat for the vicarage apartment. They're very nice, extremely comfortable, and have proven quite useful for naps this week! Some people from church donated new towels for the kitchen and bathroom, and one woman gave a box of older dishes to add the the 4 bowls and 6 plates originally in the apartment. I'm very thankful for this, as I can now wait until the dishwasher is full instead of hand-washing dishes after every meal! Incidentally, they are the same dishes that Tim's mom has. I'm not sure if she uses them anymore though, but I know I have seen them at her house!

Tim was installed on Sunday during both services. I enjoyed getting to chat with some of the members before church. They all love Norah already! After the late service, Peace held a "pantry party" for us. We met more members and came home with quite a bit of food items, gift cards, and money. We've found that some people here already remind us of friends and family back home. :) We sure miss everyone, but they've made it much easier on us already. We've gotten some dinner invitations once we're settled. There is one family that wants to show us around Fresno soon, and another who wants to take us to Yosemite sometime this year.

This morning I attended the ladies bible study. A college student comes to do babysitting for anyone who might need it. Norah was the only baby... which I was not surprised by since I was the youngest in attendance at bible study by at least 30 years (easily!). It was a nice chance for me to get to meet some more ladies from church and get to know others better. They all seemed very happy to have me join them today.

I think that's all for now. Check back soon though for a post about our trip. We have some pictures and stories to share. Thank you for all your prayers for a safe journey!

P.S. I'm not sure why it says Tim posted this... it was Jana.