A Little Game of Catch Up!

Ever since I was in college and had a car of my own, I have wrangled some friends together and set off north in search for snow. Most of the time we would have about 30 minutes to pack, grab some semi warm things (not that much as we lived in Georgia at the time) and head off with no planning. The most we would do is a quick check with the Weather Channel, grab a bunch of tapes (no CDs back in the day) and go. 

My sweet husband shakes his head every winter about this time as he knows what is on it's way... When I heard that snow was just an hour and a half away, he figured he might as well get the road trip over with and be a part of it as well! How he spoke my love language when he said, LOAD UP! A quick run around the house to grab some quick kid snacks, a peek at weather.com and off we went. 

It was totally sunny the whole way there and I was getting nervous that we wouldn't get any snow. I mean we traveled all the way there and no snow? But then we went over a hill and I saw this in the distance.

In about 10 minutes time we were in the thick of it and the flakes were coming down.

Had to roll down the window so Jake could enjoy the snow. Brrrr!

I had Googled sledding spots near Boone and up popped a free slope right near Boone at Beech Mountain. It was in front of the Town Hall and had an area with restrooms and heat to warm up in between sledding.

It wasn't too big of a hill but it served its purpose of cold, snow and fast thrills! We were happy!

Up we went...

Ready to go down!

Jake was fearless!

I couldn't let Jon have all the fun.

We took a break but Jake wasn't too agreeable on that. He tried to go up the hill with his own saucer. 

Luke was a sledding pro.

Taking a break for a quick snow angel.

Look, another Snow Angel!

Then on our way back we happened upon this nice little house for sale. Turns out it is quite a bit of acreage with 3 nice quaint ponds. 

***

In other news, Jake has taken to sleeping on the bottom bunk quite nicely. He loves his "vroommm vroommmm" sheets that was once Luke's and thinks it is pretty cool that his brother sleeps up above him. 

Nothing better than a sweet sleeping toddler.

Notice his cheeks are all red. They have been blotchy for weeks now. Two appointments with a Doctor in the local practice said it might be eczema and while I have been putting cremes on it, it hasn't gone away. On his 2 year well visit, my regular PA said it might be a food allergy so we are going to go to a Dermatologist in a few weeks. I can't wait to get Jake's pretty baby skin back!

Well, that is a quick rundown of what has been going on around here. School, laundry, cooking and spending time with friends is what makes our days. Wouldn't mind if we could have a snow day at home soon but are content with our wild road trip. Love the changes in seasons!

Happy Birthday Jake!

Funny how a year changes things... This is my sweet Jakers on his First Birthday. Notice that brown chocolate hair? That soon was buzzed to reveal bright blonde hair underneath. 

While we have no idea how that ever happened, we are used to his blonde hair and the spunk it gives him. 

Usually most people chill and relax after Christmas but for us, the party continues! We are so blessed to celebrate Jake and all he adds to this family. It was unanimous that Jakes birthday dinner would be spaghetti and meatballs as it is definitely his favorite. If anyone has been around this boy for oh, more than a minute, you know that when he likes something he starts yelling its name. So one day he wanted more meatballs in his dish and started yelling MEATBALLS!!! He can be a bit demanding... So I made sure his bowl was full and we had a nice quiet dinner.

Note to self: Never make blue icing again. I swear we all looked like Smurfs after eating these!

And then, note to all gift givers: Please pool your money together and purchase Photoshop for me because clearly I was the only one looking at the camera. And why was I the only one with a silly hat? Oh yeah, the other kids were smart enough not to be wearing them during any photo...

Finally I am paying attention to the boy with the flame thrower..

Ok, Jon did alright...

Attempting to get the birthday boy to look joyous. He had just woken up from his nap (yes, it was uber late to be waking up but that is how he rolls).

Can we take this picture please?

Yum!

Brothers...

Now on to the presents. Thankful we had just trained Jake to open presents at Christmas, he didn't have any problem diving into these. Have I mentioned he is obsessed with Thomas? Well, this boy is in heaven. 

At any given time during the day I can hear the words Choo Choo coming from any given room he is in. Never have we had kids who were so attached to a theme!

He knew just what to do!

More Thomas!

Giving sweet hugs to Gambi - or Meemee as he likes to call her.

Off to go play again...

But wait, that isn't all! A new (to him) train table in his room! Whoah!!!

Um, should we buy some Thomas things for Kylie and Luke? They seemed to hog the table while Jon was putting together the track. Funny kids!

To cap off the evening, Jake slept peacefully in his big boy bed. Bittersweet for sure as our boy is growing but thankful to get the crib out of his room!

Jacob Lance, we are all so happy you have joined our family. Every day you give us so many smiles and reasons to laugh. Happy Birthday!

Word of the Year...

As most of you know, I am a part of a wonderful online community who all use Five in a Row (FIAR) homeschool curriculum. For years now we have challenged eachother with choosing a Word of the Year instead of thinking up New Year's resolutions that most of us break anyway. For me, choosing a word that represents my hope and goals for the future is much more do-able. It serves as a litmus test as to what I should be striving for in the New Year. 

I know I have been doing it for more that 2 years but somehow I have braindumped my words from previous years. 2010's word was Strength as we entered a new year of changes with me staying at home, and trusting that all of our provisions would be met. The word Strength meant more than just physical strength, it was emotional as well. It was a constant reminder that God is my strength and I could do all things through Him. That word was a comfort to me during some really stretching times.

A good mental picture of my life, and probably others as well is a pendulum. The pendulum swings from one side then back, over and over rarely just staying in the middle. Either a lot or a little but rarely a happy medium. Because of that, my word from 2011 was Self-Discipline to get to the middle. To listen to that voice to get off the computer and play with the kids, to complete school when all we wanted to do was play, to fold the laundry and complete all the other home chores before getting another project out. You get the picture... Can't say that I am in a happy medium yet, but it was in the forefront of my mind to be obedient to God's still, small, voice. Can I use this as a Life Word? Sigh....

So all of this leads me to my Word for 2012... Some years I have to spend a copious amounts of time thinking and praying over what word to choose but this year it was loud and clear. 

nur·ture

 

1.

to feed and protect: to nurture one's offspring.

2.

to support and encourage, as during the period of training ordevelopment; foster: to nurture promising musicians.

3.

to bring up; train; educate.

This word is so warm. Such a contrast to last years word. Another word that kind of goes along with this is INVEST. I find that so often I am spread thin. In all the aspects of my life, I want to be the be all and in turn, I am nothing of value because I don't spend the time really becoming invested in the things that I do. So I plan on digging deeper. In my relationships - both spiritually and personal. Nurture myself as well - read, develop and stretch.

I hope to blog about the depth of my word at a later time but for now, leave a comment on your Word... Or what your hopes and dreams for the New Year!

Happy New Years to you!

Christmas!

Whew! This week has been a whirlwind of fun! For the next few posts it will be mostly pics to get caught up. Got a lot ready and waiting so hold on for the ride!


Christmas Eve is such a magical time for our family. All advent season we read a devotional that has really been the most loved time of the Christmas season. If you haven't started Jotham's Journey or any of the other books, I highly recommend them!

Anyway, back to Christmas Eve! We ended up putting up our stockings the day of as we didn't want Jake hanging from them. Low and behold, he really could have cared less! He was more interested in hauling around his best friends, the trio of snowmen! A sweet friend's Aunt who was very dear to me made these years ago. I love that Jake enjoys them so!



Poor kid was naked since he was about to open the first Christmas present!

Can't go wrong with a little "Choo Choo!"

The kids were so excited about their jammies! Jake was telling Kylie all about his.

Cheese!

Getting the reindeer food out!

It is so funny each year because my kids don't believe in Santa at all. They know about the historical figure of St. Nick and all of the wonderful things he did when he was alive but when Christmas Eve rolls around, traditions abound!

Putting out Santa's cookie and the reindeer's treat!

Testing out the milk!

Off to bed but this is what they were greeted with the next morning. Totally overwhelmed Kylie!

Luke finally got up and was pleased as well.

First things first. A little Stocking action!

Then sibling presents. Kylie was kind this year!

Jake liked Lukes gift!

 

Kylie's gift from Gambi.

She even has special glasses to match Kylie's!

Gambi's gift to Luke... Or is it Jakes?

He totally "got" the whole opening gift thing.

Love the excitement over fun toys!

But after all things were said and done, my heart melted to see the joy in the gift of siblings. All the toys in the world couldn't replace the fun and joy they have in eachother.  They would all show such joy in each gift given to eachother. To watch all the kids huddled around Elmo and talking to Jake in Elmos voice made me so happy!

Yes, the gift of my family is wonderful. I could get all mushy to let you know what family means to me, blah blah blah... but I think if you know me, that is a given so I will save you my ramblings for some other time. So I will show you what made my Christmas! Oh yeah! My own jar of Nutella! Yum!

I will leave you with that yummy craving... I am off to make something Nutella'y... 

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!