Crazy snow!!

So much fun was had in the snow today I hardly know where to begin! I think the kids were outside for about 5 hours (warm up breaks in between, of course!)

Henry's trying to figure out where our front steps went, he's sure they're around here somewhere.

Notice how high the snow is along the back fence, there are only a few inches showing on the left! 

Maya's victory pose, she made it through the 5 foot drift. This is a few seconds before she lost her boot. Oops!

I guess we won't use the bbq grill anytime soon!

The back door to the garage, there was a 5 foot drift blocking the door. Tadd's grateful for a snow thrower this year.

Blizzard!

Last night we went to sleep with the snow blowing sideways and the gusts sounding like freight trains outside our door. Our house shuddered and groaned with the wind while we stayed warm and toasty in our beds. I woke up this morning to the excited shouts and whoops of 3 children and one daddy. The police station called, all roads in the county shut down, do not travel! Boots, gloves, hats, snowpants, coats, layers, layers and more layers were dressed. The back door was flung open and we were greeted with a 7 foot drift against the door. It was quickly shut and we went out the other way! 4 very excited bodies spilled out to the yard.

And think, we still have 6 more inches in the forecast!

What a snowday! (look close at the picture, can you see Tadd's grin?  I think he's having more fun than the kids!)

Once there was a snowman....

Someday the kids will realize how lucky they are to have a dad that will spend 2 hours with them (coming home from a long work day) building a HUGE snowman! I think this one will be standing for a long time... don't you?

Cousins

I've mentioned before how lucky we are to live near cousins on Tadd's side. I've been surprised lately at how much love Harrison has shown his baby cousin Molly. He wants to be near her whenever she's around, today my sister in law came for lunch and Harrison spent the entire time enamored with Molly. He fetched toys, binkies and blankies for her and held and bounced her when she fussed. She's an adorable baby and doesn't seem to mind the extra love from cousin Harrison. When they left he asked if we could get a girl baby too. I told him I thought it sounded like a lot of work, after all, babies cry and poop and poop and cry, but Harrison just said he would be the best big brother and not be bothered with the crying. You know what? I believe him.

Henry had to get in the picture too!

We all love Molly! She's such a doll. Thanks for sharing her for the afternoon Marcia!

Not for the squeamish

I've always felt lucky that we've avoided stitches in our house. With two rambunctious and daring boys, one would think we were frequent visitors of the local emergency room. Happily enough we have not had to have any wounds deep enough to even consider stitching.... until tonight. I was down sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner, Tadd was away and the kids were excited to start a game of hide and seek. I heard a crash then a scream, so I dropped my broom and ran up to see what the commotion was. Since I didn't witness the accident first hand, I really don't know what happened, but I believe it involved a slippery bathroom counter, a camera tripod, and lights off hide and seek. Henry's lip was bleeding pretty badly and he was crying, after I gave him a popsicle and quieted his tears (and cleaned up LOTS of blood) I though that was that and he was fine....

Until...

He stuck out his tongue.

Now, it may not look bad, but this little wound is DEEP. I hemmed and hawed, I wondered, should I take him in? My stomach flipped every time he stuck his tongue out. He was crying from the pain and I made a quick call to super Grandfather. Grandpa has lots of expertise in the field of of little boy wounds (he raised 5 boys after all) plus, he's a nurse! So grandpa came over and ruled the wound A-OK. No ER trip necessary! I was so grateful. So off to bed Henry went and Grandfather even called an oral surgeon to ask his opinion. The expert opinion? Give the kid a popsicle and some tylenol, done, and done. We are so thankful for a Grandfather that will come at the drop of a hat while Daddy is away. We love you Grandpa!!

How things usually work around here....

Sometimes when I see good light in the house I need to get my camera and capture it. Even if it means jumping out of a warm bed and running down the stairs in my skivvies (shades open) to grab my camera off the desk. That's what happened this morning, the kids were sitting on the rocking chair in my bedroom and were sharing a moment too precious not to capture. Here is what went down when they realized I was snapping photos.

First I get a decent photo..... 

Now starts the goofy...

Then the play fighting...

...and the tickling

Now a little bit of face pinching...

More laughing...

Finally exhaustion, she's glad when he jumps ship and hurries off to find the next adventure.

Christmas card 2010

One of my favorite things about Christmas is exchanging cards with friends and family. I keep pictures up all year that I receive at Christmastime, I love thinking my kids will be able to "know" cousins and second cousins and dear friends that live far away through pictures. I also spend considerable effort on the card I send to family and friends each year. This year I decided to get a professional photo done of our family for the card, in years past I use a photo that I had snapped myself or had a friend do....

Here is the photo that I chose for the card.... Cute isn't it? I obsessed about my arm being "cut off" for weeks, then found a card that would camouflage the flaw. So.... here you have it.. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!