serious snow

I believe we got a little over 2 feet today.  The most I can remember in a long, long time.  It was absolutely amazing to try to walk and play in it. 

Gritty and I headed out early this morning for our time together.

Then the boys headed out mid morning to play.

Then finally after lunch when it had stopped snowing I went out with everyone to DIG,

  and of course capture the beauty of my surroundings......

We are really enjoying the season of snow right now and hopefully many more days to come.

fresh air

Fresh air makes all the difference.  Being outside is so important to our bodies and mind. I highly encourage us to go out every day, no matter the weather. 

This morning we went to the local hill and did some sledding.  It was so much fun and although a bit chilly, it felt great.

 We also discovered an awesome tree to climb. (something we are lacking in our yard)

We are slowing down this winter to spend time together in the outdoors more and trying to create days full of memories.


I am thankful every day for this wonderful life we lead, and the moments we share together.

living

So we have been busy living our lives.  We did a little skiing over the weekend.  We have found this little apartment that we rented  out a few times this winter so we get more time on the slopes. We can even bring Gritty which makes life so much easier.  

It was great with having about a foot of  fresh new snow to ski on.  The boys tried out the terrain park for the first time and are loving it.  Every 30 seconds Landon was asking when we were going to do it again.  We may be headed for trouble, but they are loving it.

I decided not to carry my camera on the mountain- I already had a backpack full of drinks and lunch. I don't mind if they get squished when I fall ( and I do fall here and there) but I don't want to ruin my camera. So no cool photos of all the jumps they did.

It has been a quiet life otherwise. Just spending time together, doing things around the house.

All is well.

a good day

We awake happy and read together.  

Snuggle a bit and William asks "Want to go to the Spa?"  Well, why not??? After careful preparations I enter the "Spa" (a.k.a the bathroom).  I receive a hot face massage, lotion on my arms and legs, hair wet and blow dried and makeup- thanks to the new face paints Santa delivered. 

I am looking good.  Thankfully no photos are taken.

We move on to breakfast. "Can we make it?" they both ask.  Go ahead.  Another success.

After breakfast I get a few minutes with each of them to work on some skills and then Will reads to us.

Off to do what we want on our own- cars, listening, "raging  battles", cleaning, organizing, sorting.  

Lunch already- time is flying by and what a peaceful morning it has been.

We do a few quick errands after lunch. Home again for an Olympic soccer game out on the ice.  

Monopoly Jr. and tea.

Read a chapter in One Hundred Dresses. 

Dinner prep while the boys play their new mind games.

  

Journal together.

Dinner and bed.

We talked about how,  although there were a few moments of anger we were able to talk through them and be gentle to one another. 

I relaxed more and said yes often. It made a huge difference.  The power of words.

All is well.  Every day is new beginning and can be wonderful.

today

Everyone was tired today. So we stayed at home, playing and trying to all get along.  Crankiness was abounding.  

But we needed new library books...it has been a bit. So we ventured out in the afternoon.  Everyone is  excited to have some new books to read.  We decided upon snow, comics, knights, and winter sport books.

Also, a DVD on Submarines was checked out to give us all a chance to chill out when we got home.

It was a tough day and I am off to bed, but tomorrow brings new hopes and opportunities.

Sunday Smiles

Some one on one time. 

Will went skiing with Dad. 

Landon created and played with Mom.

 Landon decided our house needed decorating.  He used wire ribbon to wrap all of the door handles in the kitchen.

 We got out of the house for a bit at a local museum where they have this wonderful train display every year.

 Controlling the trains.

 And of course the marbles.

 Then we checked out the workshop.  Landon built his own model train.

We came home and he painted it which I, of course, forgot to take a picture of before uploading my camera. Ah, well.

This just may become a weekly winter activity.  There are several kits to choose from and Landon says he wants to make them all.

It was a very fulfilling day with my little one.  

Eric says they had a great time skiing.

It all started...

15 years ago.  

Me and "the boys"  (Eric, Todd, Ron and Chris) headed south for New Years Eve 1996.  We were going to visit yet another guy friend in D.C., Mike . Yes, I was short on girlfriends but  I always felt well protected with these guys and we always had lots of laughs.  

We arrive around 11:00 am.  Things are slow moving.  We decide on a game of touch football.  Mike's girlfriend at the time,Kristen(now his wife), and her friends join us.

Apparently "touch" was not in Eric's vocabulary. More like a hard hit to my left shoulder.  Ouch!  I am out of the game and need to head back to the house to rest. Eric feels terrible and comes with me to make sure I am going to be all right.  A hot shower helps some.  I head to the couch.  No movement. Lots of pain.  

One shoulder is lower than the other. I'm out of balance and everyone convinces me to go to the emergency room. On New years Eve?   A complete nightmare.

Eric and Ron keep me company for the six hours we are there. Eric gets asked to leave. He is not being so polite. I begin to freak out in the exam room.  Can I really have spent the entire evening here doing absolutely nothing!!!!  

When all is said and done I have a separated shoulder and am given some pain meds.  We arrive back at Mike's at 11:45.  Everyone is asleep.  This is so unreal.  However, it doesn't take long before people are up and moving. The party gets going. 

Eric and I spend 2 hours deep in conversation.  It was easy. Safe. Normal. Confession time.  He has had a crush on me for several weeks.  And me, thinking we're just friends.  

He asks me out on a real date.  No gang. Just me, him and dinner.
Let's just have fun we said.  Nothing serious as I was moving for a job in a few weeks. 

Can't help the fact that I fell head over heals in love with him.  We're still friends- best friends- always and forever.


And, well, we're still having fun...... 




p.s. the shoulder healed nicely