So Little Snow

We spent most of this winter in Florida, but even if we had been here we would not have had much snow.  It's crazy because our first winter here we had record amounts of snow.  I think there was around 60 inches in January alone.  It did snow a little while we were here, a very little.  The kids rushed out to play in it before it (quickly) melted.  

And a few days later, Maryann had her first experience in a swing.  She loved it and L loved pushing her.

My Snow Artists

Sledding

We finally went sledding, a first for all four of us.  The kids and I went earlier this winter but we didn't have a saucer or sled so we used the top of a plastic storage box and it didn't quite cut it.  This time we borrowed a saucer and headed out.

It was quite the hike to the (teeny-tiny but perfect for the kids) hill through some really deep snow...

 But the kids had it pretty good.

After the kids braved the stairs...

...the fun ensued!

Adam and I even got in on the action ;)

We LOVE hanging out with Daddy!!!

And Adam and I love these kids SO much!

Sledding - A LOT of work but even more FUN!

Mmmm... Cookies...

We invited some of our best friends over to decorate Valentine's Day cookies.  It was a wild and crazy time :)

I kept telling them not to eat the cookie dough and as soon as I was distracted by taking a picture L shoved one in her mouth...notice the puffy cheeks.

Lauralee loves babies, especially baby Charlotte... but then again who wouldn't love this adorable little girl?

She's a trooper.  

I love all these kids!  H and L are lucky to have such great friends (And I don't know what I would do with out their mothers!)

( That is L "smiling" )

Winter - Embrace It!

One of our "Embracing Winter" activities was to make a snow table and snow chairs.  

We let the table and chairs settle for a couple days because we got hit by a pretty bad ice storm here.  Fun stuff ;)

But once the weather cleared up we headed out to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  

Ta-Da!

Our next "Embrace the Winter" activity was a winner.  

We are fans of Hot Chocolate (especially the little man).  And what could be better than a nice cup of Hot Chocolate after playing in the snow?  A nice cup of Hot Chocolate WHILE playing in the snow!

Did H LOVE it?  Yes!  Was L supposed to participate too?  Yes. Oh well, best laid plans.  I guess this is what it is like when you have more than one child, at least for me... 90% of the time someone is tired/mad/hungry/bored/distracted and doesn't participate... even when I tell them how much thought and effort I put into the activity.  Darn kids ;)    If the table and chairs survive the current downpour of snow we will try again.

Over All... TONS of FUN!

Love and Winter

I can't believe that we only have one more month before Adam becomes a 4th year Med Student.  Time is going by so fast and this next year is going to be crazy.  We are trying to really embrace our time together this month since we won't be with Adam for the following 3 months (yikes!).  That means embracing WINTER, because that is what we are surrounded by.  

I made Valentine's Day Mailboxes and all month we are leaving each other gifts.  I am trying to leave a card in the kids boxes every morning that tells them (in pictures) what the day's FUN "embracing winter" or Valentine's day activity is going to be.  

   

They are LOVING it!  Especially when the card comes with a treat of some kind (oh sugar).  

Winter Wonderland

Does it snow in Cleveland?  

 Apparently YES!

This is what a day of heavy snow leaves you with.  I decided to shovel our driveway so Adam would be able to get in when he came home from work.  Well, I shoveled, and shoveled, and shoveled, and shoveled....there was so much snow everywhere that the most difficult part was finding somewhere to put the snow as I shoveled it off the driveway.  

I finally finished (after Adam got home and tried to convince me to let him shovel the last part of the driveway... but I had to do it myself!!!  My back really regretted that decision the next day).