Snow Days

We finally made it up to the cabin, and it was all I hoped and dreamed.

The first couple of days the snow was a little hard and icy.  (There are a few bruises on a few bottoms to prove it!)

But the second night we got lots of fresh, fluffy snow.  It was heavenly!

I’ll let the pictures show you how fun it was.

Eli was so much fun!  I worried that he would be cold and whiny, but he was happy the whole time.  He loved being out in the snow, and he loved being cozy in the cabin.  He climbed in and out of the little plastic chair that was just his size, over and over and over.  And every time, he knelt by the chair, folded his arms, and mumbled a little prayer.  So sweet!

Kami and Sam came up for a few hours and brought some of Sam’s nieces.  Poor Becca was still sick, and stayed inside most of the time.

Good-bye snow!  Until next year!

Christmas 2012

We had such a good plan.  We planned to spend Christmas up at the cabin in the snow.  No electricity, no running water, just good old-fashioned snow and cozy family time.

Preparations occupied a large percentage of my time and energy during the month.  I had visited multiple thrift stores, making sure we had all the right snow gear in all the right sizes.  I had gathered up games, puzzles and other entertainment for the little ones who would be mostly inside the whole time.  I prepared all of our meals, and froze them in disposable cookware so we wouldn’t have to worry about washing any dishes.

We had everything packed and piled in “the packing spot” the day before, and had even gotten the house all clean. 

And then… one of the kids started throwing up.  Violently and repeatedly.  I was prepared to overlook the sore throats and coughs that several kids were already showing signs of.  But the stomach flu?  That was just too much.  Despite a few tears and protests, we decided to cancel our trip.

Luckily, we had borrowed Uncle Doug’s quad for the snow, so the kids had lots of fun riding it around our back yard.  We ended up having a lovely Christmas.  Just us at home.

Here is what we did on Christmas Eve:

Our traditional fancy dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, rolls and sparkling cider.

Our traditional Nativity play.  During the day we had watched all of our nativities from years past, and it was fun to see the family grow right before our eyes.

Then we opened ornaments, read the Christmas story, and set out stockings and cookies for Santa.  The kids all like to sleep in the same room, which is getting to be a pretty tight squeeze!

Jeff and I always watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” while the kids are going to sleep, but this year I couldn’t make it all the way through.  I had to go to bed early because I wasn’t feeling well.  I’m glad we decided to stay home for Christmas, but now I’m itching to get up to the cabin!  Our bags are still packed!

Christmas Cards

I love receiving Christmas cards every year.  Especially from the friends that live far away.  It makes me feel loved and connected to have pictures of friends displayed on the Christmas card wall.  Now I know it’s a bit hypocritical, but I have absolutely no interest in sending cards.

I have always just felt like that is one more thing to do in an already hectic month.  Apparently Savannah does not feel the same way.  Every year she begs me to do Christmas cards, and I’m usually successful at putting her off until it’s too late.

This year I turned it over to her.  My sister in law, who is single-handedly responsible for making sure we get family pictures done occasionally, took these great pictures for us.  I just rounded up the best of whatever kids had in their drawers, and Leah worked her magic!

With the pictures done, I told Savannah I was willing to commit to 20 Christmas cards.  No more.  If she would do all the work and send the card to be printed, I would pick them up from Costco.  Well… she did it.  I think she did a great job!  And I already addressed my 20 cards, plus a few that Savannah wanted to hand out to friends.

Please don’t feel bad if you don’t get a Christmas card.  I only sent them to the friends who live far away, and whose addresses I happened to have sitting on my desk.  It may take me a few years to work up to it but eventually I hope to be able to include all of the people I love and think of at Christmas time!

Contentment

Today was not all peaches and cream… I’m not gonna lie.  But there were several moments in the day when I felt a deep, peaceful joy as I noticed the little details of my life.

1.  Getting the best parking spot at Walmart first thing in the morning.  I tell my kids that’s a good omen.

2. Josh’s face during his basketball game.  He just beams with happiness the whole time he’s playing.

3.  My clean kitchen windowsill – yesterday’s project.

4.  Watching Jonah teach Simon how to play four square out back – just past the yellow pecan tree.

5. Discovering a beehive in one of our peach trees.  It’s fascinating!  And I’m not sure why, but somehow it makes me feel connected to nature.  (It’s not like I’m actually doing any of the work!)

6.  Making a big pot of potato broccoli cheese soup.  It hit the spot tonight, and I even made a double batch so I could freeze some for later. (patting myself on the back)

7.  Putting new superhero pajamas on little boys fresh out of the bathtub.

8.  Reading “Frosty the Snowman” to the kids.  It has been a tradition to read a Christmas book every night in December, but as the kids get older and busier, it gets harder and harder to squeeze in.

9.  Hearing the hum of the dishwasher (which is actually kind of loud and annoying) after everyone is tucked in bed.

International Night–Korea

 

Jeff came up with a great idea for our Sunday dinners.  Whenever we can remember in time to pull it together, we plan to do international nights.  The plan is to let each person take a turn to choose a country and plan the meal accordingly. Each of us will learn a new fact about that country to present at the dinner table.

Our first country was Korea, since Jeff had been craving some Chop Chae, Kimchi and Bool gogi.  (I have no idea how to spell any of those things!)

We ate with chopsticks and everything.  Simon dove right in and never needed a fork!  You should have seen the floor around him when he was done with that rice!

I’d say it was a pretty big success!

New England

About two years ago Jeff and I planned ahead for our 15th wedding anniversary trip.  We got our airline tickets about a year ahead of time to make sure we could use our sky miles.  We planned a trip to New England in the fall, so we could be there for all the beautiful colors.  It’s a trip I have dreamed of taking forever.

A few months after we made the reservations, we found out that I was expecting another baby.  Due the exact week of our scheduled trip!  Needless to say, it was postponed.

One year later, which was a couple of weeks ago, we finally made it!  We left the kids with my mom and sisters, and celebrated our 15th anniversary in style.

The trip was all I hoped and dreamed!  We rented a car and spent our days just leisurely driving around, enjoying the beauty of nature. 

Our first night we stayed in this charming old boarding school-turned hotel.

We passed through Salem, and toured this “Witch House” that was built in the 1600s.

We drove up the coast of Maine, and of course had to stop at a lighthouse.  This was one of the few pictures Jeff took without me nudging him in the ribs and handing the camera to him.  He said he was there to spend time with his wife, not to be a photographer.  Apparently the two don’t mix.

We pulled over a couple of times to just walk around and enjoy the scenery.  I wished that I could bring home some of my treasures.

We had tried to rent a Prius to save on gas, but there was a mix-up, and all they had left was this Camaro convertible. Darn!  We were determined to drive with the top down, even though it was freezing!

In Vermont we stopped at the Ben & Jerry’s factory for a tour and some samples.

My pictures don’t really do it justice, but I loved these trees!  The leaves were green in the middle, then a layer of yellow, and red on the tips.  So gorgeous!

Can you believe some people drive by sights like this every day, and think that it’s normal?

Our last day was spent in Boston.  This is Jeff looking studious at Harvard.

One of my favorite stops along the Freedom Trail was the Old North Church, where Paul Revere had two lanterns hung at the beginning of the Revolutionary war.  I love the feeling of being in a place that is so old, and especially one with such significance.

The book that I was reading on the plane on my way to Boston was about the founding of America.  It was perfect timing.  The day we spent in Boston got me feeling so patriotic and grateful for the amazing men who were the founders of our country.

Some of these headstones dated back to the 1600s.

The city reaching up into the clouds was so beautiful.  The locals kept complaining about the weather, but we loved it!  We carried umbrellas all day as we walked, and didn’t miss the sun one bit!

I can’t decide what was my favorite part of the trip. The weather, the maple trees, the leisurely pace, the history?  Actually, I do know.  It was the company!  I loved having Jeff all to myself for a few days, with nothing else to worry about.  I love being married to my best friend!

Now… where to go next?