Snow Days!

Yesterday we got about a foot of snow! It just kept snowing! It snowed so much that not only did they cancel school today but Russ got to stay home too! We ate pancakes for breakfast courtesy of my amazing husband and then decorated our beautiful tree. We played in the knee high drifts till we were frozen and then came inside to thaw with some delicious chili.

I was a little under-dressed but I changed into the plaid shirt above with lots of other woolies to keep me warm! I remember my mom wearing it every winter when I was growing up.

Phoebe loves the snow! She had so much fun dashing around.

Evie also loves the cold, white, wet stuff.

Russ went to town on our front walk. And then remarked,"I could have shovelled our old sidewalk four or five times already!"

Our living room, all ready for Christmas!

Evie's ornament this year is Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars.

Bea and her daddy hung up her first ornament. A little snowbaby angel! Seems even more appropriate with the weather. Poor baby girl was a bit too sleepy to get excited though.

Evie and Phoebe hanging out together. We think Phoebe regards Everett as her pale, less furry brother.

These are from yesterday before it finished snowing. We only had about 6-8 inches then.

Some inside snow day activity.

Seriously! Look at that snow!

He really likes throwing snow at mom and dad.

Our own December wonderland.

Sweet Bea

I can't believe our baby is going to be four months old in two weeks! These very late pictures mark her three month birthday. Big brother is already teaching her all about having fun!

And in turn she has to talk it over with her puppy.

Just look at those dimples!

But after all that smiling and talking, a girl gets tired and needs a little beauty-rest in daddy's arms.

Hold On Tight!

So I thought a brief catch up was in order so that I didn't end up with an enormous post Mid-January like last year. Russ returned from his deployment on November 4th and we all went to Forbes Field to greet him off the airplane. Evie even made a poster!

Evie was quite ready to bring daddy and daddy's truck home.

I got a hair cut. About 10-12 inches off. Mostly I like it. But I am already growing it back out. Seems to be the way I do things.

The Papa-bear with his cubs.

The very sleepy Mama-bear with her baby bears. Notice Everett is holding his baby too--it isn't real--so no questions about the appearance of baby number three!

Our first snow happened was a beautiful way to celebrate Beatrice's three month anniversary.

We went up to the hill to visit Oma and Baba and Bea got to wear her special red Oma sweater for the first time.

Just hanging out with Dad and the Baba.

Everett and Oma share a book. I hope he learns to love reading as much as we do!

For Thanksgiving we went to Branson, MO to visit Russ's grandparents. We had a really wonderful time. I stupidly left my camera in the car for most of the trip. However, I do at least have a few pictures proving we went. On the last night, our little family took a nature hike as the sun set. It was so beautiful. Each of my kids talked to the " Moon lady." And both Russ and I were reminded how much we love and miss the mountains.

Hanging out with dad in Branson.

This past Sunday, after unpacking and acclimating to our house, we took the kids to go pick out our Christmas tree.

Everett loved running through the soft pine and fir needles. We chose a 8 foot Douglas fir and it stands, soaking water, in the library. Soon to come: our tree decorating pictures!

Ignore the slight dent. It was the Volvo's first time to carry our Christmas tree. It did a nice job too!