Winter Blast 2011

After much hype and anticipation, the Blizzard of 2011 was just a mere snowfall...nothing spectacular, but certainly enough to make a 3 year old beg to head outdoors.  Joshua has been struggling with the on again off again winter cold so I was hesitant to take him outside yesterday, however his sweet request (over and over again) simply melted my heart.  So we bundled up big time and headed out for some winter fun.  We made forts, moutains, trails etc. and loved every minute of it.  I wish someone would bundle me up the way I bundle Joshua up - he was still toasty warm when we came in for hot cocoa - I on the other hand was frozen =)



look carefully - you can see his face in there somewhere =)



a cupcake surprise from Aunna this morning - although he ended up going for her orange =)

Joshua had a nasty cough last night and this morning so we opted to stay indoors, but still wanted to enjoy the snow.  Aunna helped me load up 6 buckets of snow to dump in our bathtub. I filled up some spray bottles with water and food coloring and let him paint away - it was a great cure for the..."I don't feel good, but still want to play" blues.

FINALLY time to play with Hannah!!

It's been a very long time since Joshua and Hannah have had some time to get together and play.  Well, today was the day and oh my did they have fun together!  It is such a blessing to see their personalities come together as they enjoy each others company!!!

the three muskateers

silly boy

an equally silly girl =)

two worn out kiddos from all of the fun!

making up a batch of honey snowballs!



A $25 getaway

We snuck away on MLK Day to the Bavariann Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth for a $25 overnight getaway (okay it was a bit more because we decided to stay an extra night, but STILL - so cheap if you are a Perks club member).  This is Joshua's favorite place to kick back and play - Thank you Lord for providing inexpensive family fun!!!

January Birthdays

Always a great time celebrating our family birthdays - this month we honored Melissa and my mom!!

cousins

very funny gift from the Cripe Family

Here it is - the UMP it - gotta love it!

looking rather Ump'd up!!!

Let it Snow Let is Snow Let is Snow

It certainly has been a crazy winter with colder days than normal and snow that seems to fall daily - an inch at a time.  We've had our fair share of winter time fun, but I think that Joshua is even starting to grow weary of bundling up.  Anyway, here are a few pics of backyard fun - enjoy!

The Shark and The Snow

Joshua REALLY wanted a stuffed animal shark (the child loves stuffed animals). Randy and I decided to create a chart for Joshua to earn the shark by demonstrating kindness and gentleness to Mocha (something he has struggled with).  Well, he did it!!!  Here he is receiving the shark that he earned all on his own!

 Yesterday, we were blessed once again with several inches of snow.  Soooo, today we got all of our snow gear on and headed outside to play in the snow - Joshua and Mocha had so much fun.  Aunna made them a snowpile and they found a huge icicle.  We had a great time outside and then warmed up with some hot cocoa and marshmallows when we came in.  Thank you Lord for the snow - thank you Lord for knowing that I am now done with snow and ready for Spring =)