last week through today

Finally doing some catch up on here.....






Last Friday J had a cousin sleepover so E and I had a girl's night out and went to see The Princess and the Frog using some of a gift card we received for Christmas. She seemed to be having fun and she said she like the movie, but when I asked her if she had a good time..."not really." That's my girl.



The next day we headed down to the farm for some sledding and dinner w/ Den's fam.



E is next to Matilda, Ava is holding her very own snowgirl, and J and I made a snow kitty.





Prepare yourself....Den took me for a night time snow mobile ride so I wanted to look my best and stay warm...ladies please do yourself a favor and shield your husband's eyes....
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BAM!! Oh yes, I know how to work those coveralls.





Sister in law Denise said I looked like a teletubby.





(In my defense I'm wearing a puffy jacket underneath the coveralls)



Then came Sunday and it was another sunny day, and not really that cold. Den went out with the kids and built a snow fort so the could have a snowball fight.

He built up the walls higher after he dug this hole, but this gives you an idea of how deep the snow drifted during the first couple storms.

He like the tunnel until his hat fell off.

This video has is one of those "wait for it...." moments. Yes V is adorable on the slide, but wait and listen for J hitting Den w/ a snowball.

belly shot

Here we are today...another snow day because the roads are drifting so bad. It is snowing, but not really sticking where we are. V is starting to get into the trains so J and Daddy built him a track. Den was home today so he also built the kids a great fort, we watched Marty Stouffer's Wild America while I snoozed on the couch, and now he has taken the the two older ones to the gym so I am getting as much done as I possible can while V is still sleeping!

This last one is especially for Grandma Linda...who knows that every 2yr old needs a giant chocolate heart.

done....

So it was lovely at first, being snowed in with the kids. As you saw we did crafts, made forts, ice cream, they played in the snow, we even started reading Little House In the Big Woods. Two days of it and I was okay. Day three I was done. It wasn't the kids, they were great. I just needed to get out even if they were with me. It pushed me to tears...but I'm okay now. We got out Friday night and took dinner to sister Denise for her birthday and watched a chick flick while the kids played upstairs. Just what I needed. The snow is slowing getting out of our way, which is all I want. It could be white all winter as long as the roads are clear and there is a path to my car.


This was last Friday after the last big dump. I had to walk out in this later in the day and sunk all the way to my thigh and thought I just might have to stay there.


Saturday came and so did Den w/ his loader to plow our driveway and a path to the door. V went out to help. We believe in starting hard labor at an early age.



Can you see through the glared glass how much he loves it?




We are hoping to sled this weekend at Den's parents and try to make the most of this white mess.

Filling Up the Day

What do you do when it's like this outside?


Well you can finish making Valentine cards,

Build a huge indoor fort,

Shoot some hoops,

And then finally go out into it! (21")

Of course, you must kick out the stowaways.

Then whip up some ice cream made from snow.

Then the day is done.

The next day you can admire the beautiful icicles.

Then say goodbye to them as daddy knocks down the deathtraps.

December Happenings

Besides getting ready for Christmas there have been a few other goings ons...


Like E losing her first tooth! May I say finally? She has had her bottom new teeth in for so long and we have just been waiting for the baby teeth to fall out. She was quite excited and we talked about putting it under her pillow and the tooth fairy. She asked if she was real. I decided to be consistent (since we've nixed the reality of santa, though thanks to her teacher she refuses to believe that he's not real) and say that the tooth fairy was just something fun we pretend. This would have been enough for her brother. However she then wanted to know who took her tooth in exchange for the money. I told her it was a secret. I wanted to keep some fun mystery going. Alas she would not let it go. Finally (and this is an hour later when I'm tucking her in) I tell her that perhaps I'm the tooth fairy. Her response, "no you're not." I can't win. BUT, at 4am I wake up to this face looking at mine, "mommy, i found money."



Last Friday was gingerbread house day in her school. She was mostly concerned with eating it rather than the design element. (there was also singing, see below for video)



It was my niece Ella's birthday celebration on Sunday and I made her this box. I love it. My E does not because it's black. She did approve of the jewelry that I put in it as did the birthday girl.


V became quite adept at saying the word "cake" with a smile, over and over.

Our first big snow!

They were so excited.

They love coming in for the hot chocolate.

It's not my favorite thing, but I can't deny it's beauty.

Today we had cousin's over. J was in a happy place.

We made ornaments. (thanks peggy!)

And tonight we celebrated the main man Dennis in our house. Happy Birthday love!

a few days

Why does he look so interested?




because he got to chase Zeke!


the puppy was afraid of V...but V was not the least bit afraid of him.



We are also playing with the containers now.


saturday was at the farm, this is a timer shot from a stump...and i am super bundled up


the trail


Den wanted to take the kids to the "big hill" for sledding, but when the got there, too much snow had melted. They were such good sports and settled for this mini one that was mostly just wet.


the three e's, they are all 5 now


we also celebrated my beautiful SIL's bday, which is really on Wed.


and they of course there is always some snuggling going on