August 2014

In August we arrived in Pella, IA, our new home. First order of business: explore! We lived in a temporary house for a few weeks and still only had our suitcases, so there was no unpacking and "settling in" to be done.  

Local attraction: the Cordova tower. A water tower turned observation tower. 

At the top, the observation deck overlooks Lake Red Rock and the surrounding area.

Someone with a lower perspective of the world got a hold of the camera. I hope that little person sees us as more than a couple pairs of legs and feet!

This girl is a purse girl. Give her a bag to dig through and zippers to play with and she will be content for a while. (Note - remove creamy, slimy substances first -she is super attracted to lip balm, lip stick, sun screen, hand sanitizer, etc...)

Another attempt at a family self-portrait - after the welcoming service at our new church, Calvary CRC. 

Another local attraction is Big Rock Park. Walking trails over creeks, through woods and small prairies and this large, lone boulder in middle of it all.

Sibling hug on the "Big Rock"

For perspective. I know you Coloradans and the rest of you in the Western US are laughing at this "big rock". But in farming country, it's quite remarkable.

August also brought us the start of a new school year. Here is Cora on the morning of her first day of 2nd grade at Pella Christian Grade school. (Standing in front of our temporary home). It was also my (Kristin's) first day subbing in the kindergarten Spanish class but I guess I didn't need a picture!