Igloo time

January brought a lot of snow. Thick, heavy snow. 

We made the most of it by making another snow igloo. 

(Here is the one from last year).

Sydney was really proud of her handiwork. 

I love the way Ster is looking at Syd in this picture. They spent about 4 hours working on the igloo. 

This igloo was a lot bigger than the one last year. After I posted a picture of it on Instagram, people from all over the neighborhood drove by to see it. It was something to behold (until the neighbor kids put a hole in the side of it, stole back the Captain America shield and then the sun and some rain took care of the rest of it.)

Here is video of the crowning of the igloo, a reference to Pres. Trump's campaign, and a warning about leaving your things out overnight in the freezing weather.

Sledding

Last year, Christmas morning the only snow we got for most of the winter season. This year, we got a great deal of snow during Christmas week. The perfect way to start the holidays. So we made the most of it and went sledding at the neighborhood park on Christmas Eve.

Parker is getting really good on his snowboard. He can go off small jumps and keeps his balance really well.

After a couple of relatively dry winters, this season has been a lot of fun to go sledding and have snowball fights and play, play, play. It does create a bit of havoc in the house, though. Boots, gloves, hats, snowpants, coats, all seem to be lying around the house in a long line, marking where the children have been. Trying to keep everything dry between trips outside has been tricky. But I love it. I love that the kids are old enough to do most of the dressing and undressing by themselves. That is soooo nice! And I love going out to play with them too. It may create a little havoc, but its a fun havoc and I love it!

first snowfall

The kids were so excited to wake up on Nov. 9 to SNOW! They couldn't wait to dress in their snow gear and go make trails in the smooth, untouched snow. They spent most of the afternoon outside and came home with pink cheeks and fer-reezing fingers and toes.

 

Welcome Winter!!!

We're glad you came.

at least for a week, before you melted

Unpredictable weather

The weather has been crazy around these parts. Winter has sort of been missing in action. Actually, its kind of felt like an Arizona winter, which is great if you live in Arizona. But when you live in Utah, you kind of except snow and freezing temperatures. Its just been terribly confusing because one day the weather can be nice enough to go to the park.

Can you see Parker at the tippy top?

Millie climbed to the tippy top too.

And all that fun left us feeling okey - dokey about the weather trend.

The very next day, it snowed. A little bit and the kids had a lot of fun playing in the snow too. Even though it felt more like a dusting of snow than a snow storm.

The unpredictable weather has left us feeling like this:

Icicles and Sledding

Rachel discovered icicles earlier this week. She really likes them. She likes them better than sledding, that's for sure. All it took was one trip down the hill and she was finished. She was content to watch from the sidelines with an icicle stuck to her tongue.

The other girls are quite enamoured with sledding.

(Parker likes to sled too but he was not out on this particular day. Probably at a neighbor's house. See, here's the thing. It has been so extremely cold this year and in my somewhat fragile state (snicker, snicker-I use this excuse a lot) I just haven't been outside my house much. Too cold. So this is the point. The kids have been sledding a lot, Parker included, but this is the only time I've been brave enough to venture outside to take any pictures)

The next 2 pictures capture the anticipation and thrill of sledding perfectly. (In my humble opinion.)

Anticipation

Thrill

Totally satisfying, just ask Camille.

You want a piece of this...?

You want a piece of this? Oh yeah? You want this snow to be a permanent part of your face? Oh really? You sure?

OK buddy. You asked for it. Ask and ye shall receive.

Hey, don't dish it back. No way, Man. You're not supposed to throw it back!

(pay no attention to the friend, lying prostrate in the background)

I'll get you back. I swear it. Just you wait. When you least expect it . . . I'll be there . . . waiting.