Snowpocalypse 2014

We had a huge snowstorm in early January. It snowed a ton on the 5th, and then was super cold the day after. On Sunday the 5th, it wasn't so cold, so we were able to go outside and play/shovel a little. The boys got snow shovels for Christmas, and they've gotten a lot of use! Alex does an amazing job keeping our driveway clear all the time, so it was pretty cute to see the boys out there with him (and I think they actually did move a little snow around). 

A lot of people lost power that day as well, and the temperatures were dropping fast. Our friends Laura and Jacob lost power, and didn't want to stay at their house with their baby, Cecelia, in the cold and dark. So the boys and Cece had their first sleepover! It was kind of fun having them there, even though it was a bad situation! We have a futon and they had a pack 'n play for Cece, so it worked out fine. They came over in the evening, so the kids all went to bed pretty soon, then we just got to hang out and play Wii. Alex made muffins in the morning, and we watched some kids TV. The power had come back on, so they were anxious to get back home, but I got a few cute pictures of the kids playing together in the morning and of Cece hanging out!

We didn't leave the house the rest of the day! Alex had the day off of work, and our neighbors Ashley and Brad were home as well, so they came over during the boys' nap and we played cards. It felt very much like a holiday! Too cold to go out so we just hung out in our house. I'm glad we got to see so many friends, though, otherwise I think we would have gone a little crazy. :) I didn't go to work on Tuesday, either, but Alex did go in that day. With the freezing cold (below zero) temps and the non-melting snow, most of my teacher friends didn't work all week! It was crazy to think schoolkids got an extra WEEK of winter break. Ashley and I made a trip out to Target later in the week, and the roads were still icy and pretty bad. 

So that was our "Snowpocalypse" as they called it! I tried to take some pictures of all the crazy snow in our yard. (That is our Christmas tree on our deck, Alex just moved it outside when we took the ornaments off.) Last winter was so mild, and this one is shaping up to be massive amounts of snow! 

First (little) Snow

We had a random, small snowfall in early November and I decided to deal with the work of getting the boys ready to go out! Luckily I had just bought some bigger boots (and borrowed some from a friend, thanks, Ian!) and all the rest of their stuff still fit from last year. After 15 to 20 minutes of getting snow pants, hats, coats, boots and even mittens on, we were ready to head out! I even decided to be brave and bring out my camera. :)

 

I'm so glad I did, too! I ended up using some of these on our Christmas card this year, so that was great luck for me. We had just been out raking leaves a few days ago, so it was funny to see the leaf piles under the dusting of snow. And Henry and Holden thought the grass still needed to be mowed, so they were both pushing their lawn mowers! Even Lanore had some fun with her tennis ball. The snow was gone by the afternoon, so I'm glad we made the effort to get out and glad I tried to play with my camera a little. I'm pretty happy with some of these shots!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun in the Leaves!

We got out in the leaves and had a lot more fun than last year! Henry loved his little rake and the boys enjoyed playing in the piles this time around. I love fall!! It was a nice mild day, and I tried to get some shots with my camera not on the auto setting. I think I got a few good ones, but still not ready to go to full manual mode yet. :) (And it's still impossible to get a good picture of both of them...I don't think the fanciest equipment in the world could make that happen! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkinfest 2013

We had a GREAT time (yes, capitals are necessary, this place is fun) at Pumpkinfest last year so I was so excited to go again this year. Last year the boys couldn't even walk yet and they had a blast, so I knew it would be awesome. Laura, Jacob and baby Cece came with us (even though she slept through the whole thing!) We checked out the pumpkins and tractors and got a few cute shots of the boys. The boys and Alex checked out the live animals while I got us a treat. Then it was time for a snack of freshly made apple cinnamon donuts (no pictures due to the messiness.) Yum! And we enjoyed some live music while we ate.

 

After that we took a hayride! It was a sunny but windy day, so we didn't need coats, but it was a little chilly when the sun wasn't shining. The boys checked out the playground area and the corn box play area before we headed to the big slides. Daddy and Jacob each took a few turns with the boys down the slide, and I think it's safe to say they all had fun. :) We took a ride on the tractor/train thing before heading into the corn maze. I always think this will be fun, and I always immediately want back out! But Alex has a good sense of direction and we've never gotten trapped in a maze overnight yet. ;)

 

LOVE these faces!!

Then it was time for one of my favorite parts! The boys get to pick out their own small pumpkin from the "patch". They picked one out for Cece, as well. (Actually I think they brought Laura and Jacob like 6 pumpkins and they just picked one for her!) After that it was pretty much time to go, but I always wish we could stay longer. Maybe next year the nap schedules will allow us a longer stay. They have pumpkin painting and other activities I know we could spend more time on. (Plus, Cece might get to enjoy a bit more next year, as in, be awake for part! :) But it definitely was a great day, and we will be back!

 

 

 

 



They would've stayed on the tractor all day if other kids hadn't wanted to climb up, too...