Showing posts with label family fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family fun. Show all posts

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Snow. Finally!

Lola has never been out in a real snow.

That may seem hard to believe, but for some reason, our little corner of the world has had two very mild winters in a row. So, she hasn't made it out this year OR last year (and of course, the year before that wasn't even walking yet!)

When we got just a few precious inches yesterday, and a snow day from school to boot, you can bet we jumped on the opportunity to take advantage of it!

Lolee girl was so excited to get all suited up and play in the white stuff. 
She had so many layers on, she could hardly move!

We took a jaunt out to a local Forest Preserve, and found out 
hey--families of deer like the snow too! We counted 12!

We enjoyed sitting and watching them for awhile. They came so close!

But then...the hills were calling our name. Out came the sleds!

As much as the boys went down the hill, this was the first year there was 
NO complaining about coming back up! They truly are growing up....*sniff*....


Even Grandma Jane came along....

....and went down a few times herself!

Lola took turns with a few of us, but DADDY was definitely her favorite "passenger". 
She was pretty unsure her first time down (her very first time ever!)....

....but was very brave--even put her hands up! *grin*

She LOVED it!

Both gave Mommy a great smile when they got back up.
A picture I will treasure for a long time, I'm sure.

Since I'm behind the camera so much, I don't usually get to be in photos...but Shane took his 
turn snapping, and I got a gem of Lolee and I whooshing down the hill. I love this one!

 We had a few of these.....

....and these....

....and these....

....but mostly, there were just these.
Smiles.


Such a wonderful adventure....


....and once again, I feel blessed to have a day like this in the books!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Ethan is SIX !

Yesterday, we celebrated this special guy's SIXTH birthday! 

I saw this on my friend's blog and thought it would be fun to do with Ethan....

1. What do you like to do for fun? I like to play the Wii and my DS. And, I like to play soccer. 
2. What is one word to describe you? Kind. {For the record, Colin said "nice" and Cameron said "playful". True, true.} 
3. What was the nicest thing you did for someone? Ummm...I gave someone a present on their birthday.
4. If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why? A bear, 'cause I'd like to be a bear. Me: Why? Ethan: I just do. 
5. If you could have one special power, what would it be and why? I would turn into a guy like Hulk and be really strong but I'd also have a hammer nobody else could pick up. 
 6. Favorite candy? Those green things we had in Missouri that look like popsicles that had sugar on them {rock candy} 
7. What do you want to be when you grow up? A plane driver. 
8. Favorite color? Red.
9. Favorite things to do in school? Music {YES!} 
10. Favorite song? Blessed be Your Name {Double YES} 
11. Favorite book? The ants go marching. 
12. Favorite sport? Soccer 
13. Favorite Drink? Sprite 
14. Favorite Ice Cream? Green mint with the chocolate chips. 
15. What is your favorite food? Tacos and pizza 
16. Favorite Restaurant? Monicals 
17. What is your favorite thing about Colin? That he helps me sometimes when I can't get stuff and I can't do stuff. 
18. What is your favorite thing about Cameron? That he plays with me. 
19. What is your favorite thing about Lola? That she is cute. {Heehee} 
20. What do you love about mom? You make food for me. {Ah. A way to the man's heart....} 
21. What do you love about dad? That he plays with us at night time, he plays basketball in our bedroom and nerf wars. 
22. What are you looking forward to now that you're 6? I can't wait to do stuff when I'm six that I couldn't do when I was five. {Good thought process} 

We went about 9:30 and took--at Ethan's request--some muffins for his class at school. 
Lola was more than a little excited to see him! These two are the best of friends, but can also
 fight like cats and dogs sometimes...depends on their moods! I much prefer the good days :)

Lola was quite the hit with the boys in the class. Oh, dear.

Ethan was very excited to show me his "special birthday chair on the special birthday carpet". *grin*

A birthday crown from his teacher!

First bite of his favorite muffins....

The class all sang to him and he got his "birthday spankings". All in all, a successful morning!

Later that afternoon, I worked on his cake and some accessories. 
I found online how you could dye rice, so Shane worked on that, while I worked on decorating his cake.

Ethan requested a Bowser cake and I freaked out...but then I remembered Pinterest!
Thank you for the inspiration Pinterest!!

We had a lovely dinner....Ethan requested his favorite. Tacos :)

Right after dinner, Ethan got a phone call from Grandpa Danny! 
Then later, Grandma 'Nette and Grandpa.

After that, we started on the presents. We had a bit of catching up to do because
of some sickness over Christmas and Lola's birthday...so she opened a few first.

She's still on that Hello Kitty kick. *grin*

I have to say....I just think that "present-reaction-pictures are priceless! The looks on their faces....
Ethan

Colin

Ethan again

Cameron

and Ethan some more.

Ethan loves sheets....last year, it was Mario Kart, and this year....

Angry Birds!

The best for last--his favorite, Super Mario for his DS.

Then, the rest of the family got here and we started in on Christmas celebrations!
Livy opening her Violet

Aunt Karen and her birthday snuggly blanket (those were 
a popular gift in our house this year, they are the best!)

Soon, Daddy led Ethan in to the kitchen...it was CAKE time!

The finished product. I couldn't wait for Ethan to see it!

His reaction was awesome. I don't think he could even believe it!





We sang Happy Birthday, and he got all the candles out in one whiff.

His birthday was very special....here's to many, many more years with this precious little man!
We love you Ethan!