At the hotel

   

Following our winter hiking excursion we headed to a hotel as a "winter get-away." We watched silly cable tv shows, played games, swam in the pool, cozied up to the fireplace, enjoyed the jacuzzi, and relaxed the day away. Nice way to spend a February day off of school.

Navarino Hike

"ice skating"

Lovely Lydia

winter walking      

my boys

 We planned to spend an afternoon snowshoeing at Navarino State Nature Area. Instead we hiked as we were short on snow. No one seemed to mind since being outside in the sunshine and fresh air even without the snowshoes.

Ordinary Days

Lydia and her snow fort.

Just like a spa: Nathan drying Lyd's hair after bath while she plays k'nex.

The boys asked if they could read on our bed. Apparently they meant IN our bed.

Daddy snuggles at the end of the day.

     

I haven't been great about blogging for the last, oh six months or so. There isn't a great big reason it's just that life is busy and we've been enjoying it. When I do blog I usually blog about events, holidays, and activities. Today when I was going through months of pictures I found some that just made me smile. There is nothing "special" about these pictures, they're ordinary. That's why I chose to include them. They're the moments that happen every day and the moments I wish I could freeze in time and return to over and over. Sure the big days in our life are special but sometimes it's the little moments. The moment for an extra long bedtime hug, the chapter that had to be finished before bed since the mystery was about to be solved, the silly things my kids make & do, these are the moments that show we care, we live, and we love.

Habitat Art

Plum Pigeons

Family Home

 

Back when  I was working on our Nutcracker I had done some shopping at the Habitat for Humanity Restore looking for certain pieces and/or general inspiration. One day one of the volunteers asked if I'd like to participate in their community art event. The plan was for local artists to take old windows and create some kind of art to be auctioned off to support Habitat for Humanity. I said I'd help with one window, couldn't decided which old battered window I liked best, and ended up taking home two. After some consideration and some work this is what I came up with for my two windows. The pieces were auctioned off in February for $150 each.

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.

Sweet Six

With the self designed cake.

Opening gifts.

Opening her eyes to her bike.

It fits!

Although it's hard to believe Lydia is already six! We celebrated with a day at the Fond du Lac Children's Museum. Hands on exploring is always fun. We also spent some time working on her cake. Lydia drew a picture of what she wanted ("flowers that are the kind I draw and a Christmas tree on top") and we worked with her design. She was very pleased with it. She was THRILLED to receive a big bike and even had the chance to take it for a test drive the next day.

  Happy Sixth Birthday Lydia. You add so much spunk and spice to our family. We love you so very much and are so pleased God gave us you as our dear daughter.

Christmas Morning

Happy Hikers~all three guys got hiking backpacks and Lydia too can travel in style.

Hans trying to figure out paddle ball

Rock out man!

A joyful Lydia

Little Levi

Marveling at the newness of this little person

Awed by his tiny fingers and features

Arms full of boys and heart full of love

Baptized into the family of God. Congratulations Michael & Tammy.

Live Nativity

Nathan, Evan, and Hans as shepherds at Martin Luther's Live Nativity

Shepherds in the fields nearby keeping watch over their sheep at night.

Love the little sheep

Our church tried something new this December, we put on a Live Nativity. Church's property is nearly perfect for such a event as the parking lot is the length of our property with the main entrance on a busy city street and a back exit onto the block behind in the rear. Attendees were greeted by Roman centurions taking a census, passed a crowded inn and were urged on by the inn keeper and his wife, heard the angel announcing to shepherds in the fields, listened to choirs of angels singing, saw infant Jesus with his parents in a lowly stable, and were wished a Merry Christmas by members of our church. The whole drive was lit with luminaries and there were seven banners with the words of Luke 2 to tell the true Christmas story. Our monetary budget was tiny but the volunteer hours were many between building, painting, sewing, and setting up the entire event. It was so much fun to be part of this and to see it's success. In the three hours over 600 people drove through making our first try a huge success! The plan is to do it all over again next year.

Hide and Seek

This fall the kids have fallen in love with playing hide and seek. One night Lydia was nearly impossible to find as she hid in the kitchen cupboard. The boys walked past it at least a dozen times before finally opening it to find her inside. She was thrilled to have come up with such a great hiding spot.

Ordinary Night

I never get tired of listening to our kids read aloud especially to each other.

Nutcracker