Mosquito Hill on Nathan's Birthday

The sled dog team.

Coming at us.

Down we go.

Trying to eat ice cream when it's freezing outside.

      Nathan's request for his birthday was snowshoeing. Mosquito Hill Nature Center in New London was hosting a winter fest day with snowshoeing and there was actually snow on the ground so off we went. Most of the trails were closed for lack of snow but we were able to make one loop around the main trail before the kids picked the "winter olympic games" instead. We watched sled dog demonstrations, did a little sledding, and played silly games that involved rubber chickens, toilet seats, and eating cold ice cream. We finished the day with mugs of cocoa and homemade chicken noodle soup.

Happy Birthday Nathan. You are an amazing husband, father, and head of our family. We love you so very much.

only snowman

one fine looking snowman

This year was a record setting winter in Wisconsin but not in the usual way. Snow falls and accumulation were extremely low and the temperatures were much higher than usual. The kids received a snowman kit for Christmas from Aunt Kristi & Uncle Matthew but only had the opportunity to use it once. Here Hans and a classmate used it in the first snow we had in January. He lasted less than a day before the sun did too much damage for him to stand. We hope that next year we can make some more of his relatives! 

Party Time

The birthday table as they got ready to sing Happy Birthday.

Looks like they're having fun.

Our Birthday Girl.

Bombarded with presents!

      For Lydia's sixth birthday she had her first "friend's party" a few weeks after her actual birthday.  Most of her kindergarten classmates were able to make it. She also invited her brothers despite my efforts to send them off for the day. We made paper airplanes to throw, made an airplane project to take home, decorated t-shirt for the kids to keep, had pretzel dogs for a snack, and then they all decorated their own cupcakes before we sang happy birthday. In the eyes of a six year old it was a smashing success.