The First Four Years Author:Laura Ingalls Wilder Laura and Manly Wilder began married life on their small prairie homestead with high hopes. The beautiful prairie world seems like a paradise; there are wildflowers in spring, wild geese in autumn, pony rides, and warm times together. But each year brings unforeseen disasters as well--storms destroy the crops; there is sickness, fire, and alwa... more »ys unpaid debts. The first four years often prove heartbreaking for the Wilders. But they have each other, and their little daughter Rose, and a fierce determination to succeed.