30 January

{This moment.}

28 January

The memories my children carry with them into adulthood are largely up to me.  In the everyday routines of life I have the power to provide my children with countless loving memories of human connection.  I also have the ability to leave my children with a scarce supply of meaningful moments together.  The choice is in my hands.  For now, I want to continue to fill our days with bubbles, laughter and love.  And perhaps one day, a powerful memory will bring us together beneath the dim light of a kitchen sink, even when we are miles and miles apart. 
-Rachel Macy Stafford (Hands Free mama)

27 January

The blizzard of 2015.  Really we weren't sweating it because I had off work and really we had no where to go. As long as the power stays on (fingers crossed cause our generator doesn't work so well) we were set.

Of course I had to stop by the grocery store for some ketchup, we were totally out. Not one parking spot.  C'Mon people, this is Maine.

And the rest is history, we hunkered down.  Boys went out and girls chose to stay in.

The love to pretend the snowblower snow is some sort of war and they need to protect themselves with sled shields.

I picked him up a drawing pencil set at Michael's Monday.  Both boys really have a love of drawing. 

and games in the mornings. Right now it's Clash of Clans.

Oh, the wind!  So happy we cut down those trees near our pool.

Hot chocolate break.

Again, Happy to help with any chore.  She's a dream.

26 January

 The weekend lens....... we got just a little bit of snow.  (around here business as usual for  6 inches or less...)

 L thought up some great ideas for the kids (always thinking up creative and fun things for the kids to do.) We decorated for valentine's day this year....:)

 We sledded.....

 We played legos.....

We started our new linen closet in the laundry room.  I dream up the ideas and he builds them.  That's how we roll.

Love winter running.

 We finally skied! 

 Love them.....

 He was surprisingly unsure for the first time out....next time we're doing lessons.

 Although he insisted on riding the lift alone, every time.

 Love her....she's getting so great a turning now.

 Love the view.....

 and the company....

 Didn't see them all day (sigh...)

 Love the goggles....

 Friends.....

 The sun peeking over the mountain in the late afternoon was spectacular.

It was cold.....we wrapped it up around three and headed home for a hot tub and some hot soup (Thank God we thought of making soup the night before!)

 WE made the lunches....notice the dream child in the background all eager to help.

 Their weekly routine is gathering up the trash and rolling it down to the end of the driveway.  She always takes the recycling.  Again....She's so excited to help.  Love this (And I've meant to blog about it for like ever.).

and now.....we're bracing for  the Blizzard of 2015!  Hope your weekend was great, stay safe and warm!

20 January

 The long weekend lens......I took the night off on Friday (thinking we might take a long weekend away, but alas, didn't plan anything-too rainy for skiing).   Boy can I get a lot done at home when I have a day and an evening where I don't have to run off anywhere and the weekend seems so much longer!  Friday night was haircut night and he told the stylist he wanted his hair like the big photo on the wall.  I think it was a win.  He's going to be a  heartbreaker, that one. 

 then onto the Friday night showers, they always need the dog to come onto the bathroom with them in case a monster jumps out of the closet and tries to scare them while the are in the shower. 

 and then Saturday morning She got a check up. 

 and there was some snow playing.....on a very cold day (it's 40 one day, 10 the next!) while the oldest was at a swim meet on Saturday. 

 and then we settled inside for some coziness.

 Sunday we got all dressed up for the big game and had a sleepover at our friends house. 

 He's one amazing cook (and gave me permission to post).  The Cheesburger pizza and BBQ chicken pizza are just awesome.  I think we've waited the last two years to eat those again. So, So good!

 Then onto our cozy spot on the couch to watch our team kick some royal behind.

 Yep, onto the super bowl in two weeks.

 Monday, we were going to head up skiing, but the conditions were slushy with all the rain AND no one felt like getting up early, so we decided on tubing instead cause we are super fun parents and our kids deserve it. (insert emoji with tongue sticking out).  

 Yep, t-shirts, when it comes to being teen boys, these two represented.  (and they DID get cold by the end of the day.)

 L was tall enough for his very own tube for the first time, and just totally rocked being all on his own. 

 

I'ts always a super fun time.

 

helmets not required, but they are good for holding goggles on.

Not sure how we got to January 20th already (and haven't skied once :(  ).  But here,  we start the time of year when we can't even remember what warm weather feels like. My motto is just to keep planning new adventures to look forward to.    Here's to just falling in bed at the end of an amazing weekend with friends.  Can't wait until the next time.