What Season is it Again?

The weather here has been gorgeous this winter.  So gorgeous, that I wonder if we could even call it winter.  We made the most of the nice temperatures and sunshine (thank goodness!!!) and went for a walk.

 My cute Family!!!

 Ah, boys.  Somehow it all comes down to a stick and a mud puddle.  Some things never change.

This was Ian back several years ago.  I'd gotten him and Merry Grace and Elise all dressed up in their nice Christmas clothes to take pictures for our Christmas cards at the park.  After the pictures were finished, I was getting Merry Grace buckled in and Elise, of course, had gotten right in the car.  I turned around and found that Ian had discovered a mud puddle.  Even 5 years later, this video still makes me laugh.  (And for what's its worth, he had to ride home in his underwear, because he was SOAKED from head to toe.  Serious question--do you think it did any good for him to hold up his pants legs? :))

My cute Paigie.

The walk wasn't all about staying on the trail.

It was a beautiful day, and so nice to spend it together.  (Even if there was some complaining about how long we walked and there were some people who thought they might perish, but fortunately, everyone made it.  Yes, we were relieved. ;))

Completely Made Up

Sometimes the kids make up words.  One that Paige made up is "romagent".  I don't know when she started saying it, but sometimes she'll randomly throw "romagent" in, in place of a regular word.  She might say something, like, "I want some carrots and romagent," instead of "carrots and ranch".  It always makes me laugh.  I caught her singing the "romagent" version of the eensy weensy spider and got her to sing it on camera.  It is precious.  I think my favorite part may be her expression after she finishes singing.  Priceless. :)

The Chocolate Shop

The kids had a fun idea to set up a "shop" in the sun room.  They invited Cory & I to be customers and we were more than happy to oblige.  

They used Paige's play kitchen...

 ...and filled it full of goodies. :)

They thought of everything, even a cute chalkboard advertising their shop.

 They got our wooden trays and chairs and set them up as "Tables for Two".  They even put flowers on the tables to make them look beautiful.

I was greeted at the entrance by the lovely Elise, as she welcomed me to the shop and showed me to my seat.

Once I was seated, the equally lovely Merry Grace stopped by my table and took my order.

With only a little help from her big sister. ;)

 Paige patiently waited in her seat for her turn ordering.  (Oh my word, her smile melts me!!!)

 Cory also got the VIP treatment.

 It was almost like a date. :)  He sure looks handsome. :)

 I was then served a delicious snack by a handsome waiter.

 Doesn't it look delicious?!

And lest you think it was all high society fun....

This was how the party ended. :)

It was so, so, so much fun.  So much fun that tonight we're serving the kids dinner in the re-named, Moonlight Diner.  And they can't wait!!! :)

Independence

Isn't it nice to be able to put on your jacket all by yourself?

Its Still a New Year, Right?

I think January 26th is as good a day as any to post about our New Year's Celebrations. :)  I'm thinking better late than never really applies here.

So, for New Year's weekend, we went to visit my parents.  (Beware.  We had fun and I took a LOT of pictures.  Why make several posts when you can just add 50 pictures to one post?)

My Dad makes awesome homemade sourdough bread.  It is delicious and he always makes it for us when we're together.  This time he was lucky enough to have a cute little assistant. (I think playing with a little pile of flour may be her favorite part of "making bread".)

 Another favorite thing we love to do when we go home is walk in the woods around my parents' house.  My brothers and I spent lots of time exploring the woods when we were kids, so its fun to show our kids where we used to play.

 Papa always give lots of little interesting "nature lessons" while we walk.  He points out different kinds of trees & plants, shows us where animals have been and lots of other neat things.

 Ian spotted a little green snake.  Papa didn't think there really was one out there this time of year, but sure enough, Ian was right.  He was a cute little guy.  Papa told the snake he'd better go hibernate like a normal snake. :)

 My Dad heats with a wood stove, so he has to cut a lot of wood in the winter.  This was one of the trees he  cut down for firewood.  It was enormous.  The kids all wanted pictures by the tree.

 These were just too cute not to post.  Cory is such a good Dad.  

 My parents also have swings that the kids love to play on.  The temperatures were so mild.  It was so nice to be outside.

 Papa also made his famous double decker fudge.  It is AH-MAZ-ING.  He let Paige stir the peanut butter fudge and Merry Grace stirred the chocolate fudge.  I think those cute girls helping made it taste extra sweet.

Elise and Paige with Grandma J.  Aren't they just cute as can be?

 Ian and Paige played around before bedtime.  Paige was trying to keep him from talking.  And heaven forbid she do it without her thumb in. ;)

 Grandma and MG

 This one is blurry, but Ian's face makes me laugh, so I'm including it anyway. :)  I think his kool-aid mustache makes it even better. :)

 Elise and Ella

 We took another walk on New Year's Eve, during the day.  My Dad is lots of fun. :)

 My brother, Ethan, and his family came down that day, so the more the merrier.  We loved having them there.

 So many beautiful things in the woods.  I love the peace and quiet and beauty there.

 Follow the leader... ;)

 My sweet Lisy.  She wanted to walk with me, but didn't love the many stops I made to take pictures.  She stuck with me anyway. :)

 I love Paige's expression here.  There are about 50 times a day where we comment on how we don't think she could get any cuter.

 And more pictures with the giant tree stump.

 Oh my goodness.  These two.  I love them to bits.

 Yes, she popped her thumb out just long enough to say cheese.  

 The things you find in the country...  Ian and Paige were checking out a dead turtle in the yard.  Paige was probably more fascinated than anyone.  What a funny girl. :)

 Ian spent some of his Christmas money on a new watch.  He gave us hour by hour (and sometimes minute by minute updates.)  $4.88? Worth. Every. Penny.

By evening on New Year's Eve, we were ready for fun.  Here's some of it...

 Grandma tried out a new hairstyle...

 ...Elise made fortune tellers. (Yes, you should proceed with caution. Based on her predictions, the year is  not looking good. ;))...

 ...Chef Cory made sausage balls...

 ...We played family games of Scrabble and Wits & Wagers...

 ...spent some time with my honey...

 ...Tucked the little girls into bed while these two stayed up to ring in the New Year...

 ...Watched the Ball drop online...

 ...Then ran outside to make a racket ringing in the New Year.  We had a giant bell, some pots and pans, and a conch shell, which I think effectively let everyone know we were excited about 2012...

 Everyone was excited and wished each other a Happy New Year.

 Chip pretty much sums up where I fell with things.  But I did make it through the celebrations.  Then I crashed.

On Sunday we made some cute family pictures at church with all of the cute kids and grandkids.

It was a hugely successful New Year's.  We love the chance to reflect on the year we're saying good-bye to and look ahead to a new and exciting year to come.  The best part of all was getting to celebrate with family.