Snow, Snow, Snow!

This winter has, by far, been the snowiest winter we have had since moving out in the country.  This bitterly cold week aside, we have had a LOT of fun playing outside in the snow.  Even Kate, our fresh air skeptic, has loved playing in the big snow pile, being pulled on the sled, and helping shovel (as long as Sadie stays a reasonable distance from her!).  Since we have been overloaded with snow/cold days lately, it has been a blessing to be able to sneak out for an hour here and there.  Sadie especially loves having us out.  She is totally obsessed with being close to Audrey and will hardly leave her alone.  Luckily, Audrey doesn't seem to mind, until Sadie steals a glove and runs away. :)

We love this mischievous little pup!

Kate

 Kate melts our hearts and makes us laugh daily.  This week, two conversations we had made me laugh right out loud:

1:  "Mom?" 
"Yes, Kate?" 
Pause.  "I love you."
 "I love you, too." 
"Mom, I forgot what I was really going to say, so I just blurted that right out."

2:  Kate:  "Guess what?  I'm the milk helper this week!"
Me:  "So, you got to go down and get milk with Mrs. Ossman today?  How many did you count out?"
Kate: "One.  Tomorrow there will be more, though, because I'm going to get milk for snack."

Next Day:
Me: "So, how many milks did you have to count out today?"
Kate:  "Two."
Me: "Oh, shoot.  That's still not very many. Was it just your milk that made it two?"
Kate: "Yeah, but at least it's better than one.  I told Delaney she has to get milk the next day, so then I can count three."

Here are some pictures of Kate at preschool:

Winter Break

Our winter break brought with it some much-needed rest, relaxation, and family time.  We enjoyed some yucky weather and beautiful weather, sledding and swinging, reading, movies, baking, board games, and cuddles.  On Monday, though, it's back to the normal routine!

We took a friend of Audrey's out for a pizza lunch one day, and then we went to the police station to participate in "Crafts with a Cop".  Jeremy wasn't leading it :), but he was able to stop by and say hi.

We had a "Beach Day" in the basement because Kate is really in the mood to swim.  We played a game of Human Ring Toss. 

The girls painted A LOT one day.  It was a mess, so it was a good thing Jeremy was at work!

The girls got three new board games for Christmas, so we had fun many evenings testing them out.

Sadie's Surgery

Over break, Miss Sadie had to go to the vet and have "her surgery that makes her not have any babies" (according to Audrey).  We were told that we were supposed to restrict her activity for seven days as much as we could.  Since Sadie is a very active puppy, we weren't sure how this would go. That night, when she came home, for ONE night, we had a very calm, quiet, still dog.  She came into the basement, laid down on a blanket, and didn't move.  We were all shocked at how she was acting.  Even Kate (minus a shirt for some reason) came close to pet Sadie.  It was a very surreal experience.

The next morning, however, Sadie was much more normal, and we have spent the better part of six days trying to keep her from running, jumping, biting, barking, etc.  Hopefully now, a week later, we are in the clear!

Christmas #2

Our second big Christmas came with my side of the family, and it was also filled with lots of love, laughter, and wonderful food! It is so fun to watch the interactions between all the cousins, especially when all were amplified by the Christmas spirit.  Again, thank you for all the wonderful gifts!  It has been a fun winter break trying out those presents.

We were also very relieved to know that Santa and the Pajama Elf were able to find us up there.  Our different location on Christmas morning always makes the girls a little nervous.

Merry Christmas!

This picture actually sums up our life more accurately. :) 

All the granddaughters were given shower caps, so that they could be more like Grandma.