Happy Birthday

My grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday last week. The kids and I were able to share in the celebration with many of my aunts and uncles.

49.6

That was what my indoor thermometer read when I happened to look at it around 2pm this afternoon. Everybody, put your shoes on your going outside. Surprisingly, there were not complaints. I think they may have actually missed the outdoors.



Peter was in a tree (literally) so I wasn't able to capture him! It was such a nice change of pace to actually spend some time outdoors. We definitely all needed it.

Coming soon...

So maybe I'm on a roll...oh wait I hear Nathan waking up from his nap.
So for those of you who haven't seen this picture of Emma on facebook- this summarizes our trip to Boone. This would be Day 3- sledding down the hill at the back of our "Boone house" as Ryan understands it.
This would be Day 4 - after a few hours of sledding in what is now a foot and a half of snow. It's amazing how much snow can accumulate in 24 hours.

The

I am so far behind with my updates it almost seems silly to begin posting. However, God has given me a sweet simple gift this afternoon and I have to record it before I forget. According to Peter we haven't "done school since like Thanksgiving". He is little off but that is probably what it feels like. Today is the first day that we got back to a full day of work. A full day is what my kids think of as a school day- you know, chores are done, language arts books are used, handwriting is checked, math is done...In a quiet moment, Ryan had the opportunity to have my attention so we could do his school work and when my gift arrived. His writing is the highlighter. It's his story I recorded but he wrote the word "the" (in every sentence). Most days, I hope this little fellow will read by the age of 10. Today, I have renewed hope that even though he is the third child and has no where near the amount of one on one teaching time that Peter had as a 4 and 1/2 year old, he is learning.

Arctic/Antarctic Animal Survey

Here are the results.

year end

We spent the last of 2010 with a morning at the museum. It was a nice day to burn some energy and explore new things. We are making preparations for our annual Boone trip. We are all looking forward to getting away. The kids are so excited about skiing. I'm really excited because I don't think it will be quite as frigid as years past.
Happy 2011!

Happy New Year

White after Christmas

It has been a beautiful day to enjoy the snow. The kids are really getting the hang of snow man building and snow ball fighting!Although you can't tell, Emma is leaning against the "body" of a snowman they kids and their daddy built!

joy

My family (except for Nathan and myself) have been singing this song for at least a week straight. I'm glad that it finally made it's debut so hopefully we can put it to rest! Sometimes, I wonder where do my kids get their creativity from and why do they often burst out in some made up song. This seems to be the reason! Enjoy....
I estimate we'll continue to hear this song sung around our house for atleast 8 more weeks then it should die out.

snow!

I was nestled in on the couch reading my book for Sunday school when I noticed the snow out the back window. Needless to say, our afternoon plans were altered. The winter coats were officially dusted off and outside the kids went.Emma told me that she prayed that God would make the snow stick so they would have something to play in. She got what she prayed for!
Thanks to a Peebles 60% off sale and my 20% off coupon, Nathan was able to break in his 2 day old new winter coat! I got this sucker for $15.00!
Can you tell what Peter is attempting here? That would be older brother teaching little brother to throw snow balls at me!!!

puppies

Not a day goes by without at least one of our children asking for a dog. Their desire for a dog is just about to do me in. They would like to have a do so bad that it's not unusual to see one (if not more) of them crawling on their hands and knees with some type of leash around them and the other pretending to be their owner.
I really don't know where this desire has come from. Unfortunately, for them this is as close to a puppy as they are going to get in any foreseeable future!
Perhaps when they are all old enough to earn their own keep....we might be open for discussion.

Thanksgiving!

We had a great time celebrating Thanksgiving at my parents house. My sister and her family came in from West Virginia. The weather cooperated beautifully and we hardly had to kick the children outside. They were eager to enjoy the sunshine and the wide open spaces on their own.Nathan is still playing peek a boo from the previous "funny face" photo opportunity! The kids stair step their way from 4th grade to PreK and then Nathan. My sister is pregnant so next Thanksgiving their will be another baby in the mix.