Day 29: Veronica

 

I tried to getting a good picture of Veronica, but it's hard with a toddler who doesn't really stand still often.   She's wearing the adorable outfit my friend Elizabeth made for her.  A skirt and cute poncho that looked so cute with her white tights and black dress shoes.

Day 28: Trying to have fun outside

 

It is such an odd winter.  I kicked the kids outside because it was too warm and sunny to stay in.  They weren't really happy.  There honestly isn't much to do outside.  They had to wear snow pants b/c it's too wet and muddy, but there isn't snow to sled on, all bikes, etc are put away and they just get wet and then cold.  It really is just wet grass, mud and ice.  They made the best of it though.

Day 27: Matthias

 

A cold rainy day, led to an afternoon of "movie time".  Matthias was very happy to sit and snuggle up and keep warm

Day 26: Game Night

 

We played a couple games of Sequence; boys against parents and the boys won both games.  

Day 25: Grant...in a moose hat

I don't think he thought when he put this on that I was going to take his picture and then blog about it.  He should know me better than that by now.  How could I resist?  Samuel had been wearing it earlier in the day and left it on the couch when he went to bed; so Grant being silly put it on and waited for me to notice.

Day 24: Snow? What snow?

 

It's January 24th and as you can see there is almost no snow on the ground.  I can't remember a winter with this little snow.  Normally we're trying to figure out where to put the snow we have so much.  This year...rain, snow, rain and more rain with warm temps and this is what you get....dripping water, puddles, no snow and mud.

Day 23: 14 months old

 

Already 14 months old and loving the Perplexus balls like her brothers.  She's walking all over, but still has ZERO teeth.  We can feel them trying to come through, but it's been a long and painful process for her.  She's still such a joy to have around though.

Day 22: Winter Camping

 

Grant and Parker went winter camping last night with their boy scout troop.  As is evident from the picture....it was FREEZING.  It was -6 when I picked them up at 9:30am.  Parker was miserable and was so thankful to be getting into a warm van.  Grant just loves this stuff, tent camping in the snow, staying warm by the fire, cooking and eating outside when it's freezing.  I'm not sure Parker has the same love for it.  He said winter camping in a cabin is much better.

Day 21: Loving the snow

 

Matthias loves the snow. He will stay outside for hours, even by himself.  He spent the afternoon sledding, digging and eating snow.  He's truly a winter boy right now.

Day 20: Story Time with Daddy

 

A little time with Daddy tonight reading one of her favorite books "Reptile Babies".

Day 19: The kit has arrived

 

My new Thirty One Gifts consultant kit arrived today.  I was so excited when I opened the door and saw my big pink box waiting for me.  We were heading out the door, so I had to wait several hours to look at everything, but it was worth the wait.  Here is it (or at least the really exciting stuff), all unpacked and ready to go.  I love the new prints.  The bright blue/turquoise is so fun for summer and the butterflies are my favorite.  Mom loves the taupe and yellow flowers and I agree...super cute.  So now I'm ready...and can't wait.  I have a feeling 2012 is going to be good.  I'm already off to a great start thanks to some wonderful family and friends; without them this wouldn't be possible.

Day 18: Breakfast with the baby doll

 

Veronica loves baby dolls or simply "babies" as we call them.  This one has become a favorite over the past week.  Today she brought her down from bed with her and then wanted her on the tray while she ate.  I got this amazing smile from her which I rarely am able to capture in a photo.

Day 17: A Basket of Animals

 

 Samuel gathered a bunch of stuffed animals and then climbed into a laundry basket before piling them on top of himself.  He played in the basket for awhile before covering himself with a blanket and just enjoying the snuggly and warm place.

Day 16: Coffee Lover

 

We got our order of raw coffee beans today and Veronica had a great time checking out the different bags.

Day 15: My Favorite Bag

 

This bag is my all time favorite bag.  Mom bought it for me for Christmas with the idea that I would keep it in my van to help me keep organized.  I love it too much to keep it there.  I use it ALL THE TIME.  It holds so much and is perfect.  Here is has kids blankets, diapers, Veronica's clothes for a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa and some miscellaneous items.  So my favorite bag is a Large Utility Tote from Thirty One Gifts.

Day 14: The Decorations Come Down

 

The ornaments are off the tree.  All of them are now sorted and put away.  Brad put all the Christmas bins away Saturday night and the decorations are put away for another year.

Day 13: Fun with Boxes

Kids love boxes, especially big boxes cut to make houses and forts.  We purchased a chest freezer and my Dad made a house for the kids.  They loved it.  Veronica jumped right into playing with the boys.

Day 12: Snow....FINALLY

 

It's the 12th of January and this is the first snow we've had since October 31st.  It has hardly seemed like winter in New Hampshire.  Part of me has enjoyed the lack of snow b/c with snow comes mud, sand, salt and just a general presence of grit.  Git every where....the house, the mud room, the van.  YUCK.  And this grist stays around for months because it leads right into spring which brings mud.  However, winter without snow just doesn't seem right.  I love the beauty of the clean, white snow. I  love to see it hanging on the branches as I look into the woods.  Everything looks new and fresh.  And then add to it the hours and hours of outside fun for the kids.  It will get old, but for now this has been the best two days of the entire winter because the kids have spent hours and hours outside playing.  They come in tired and happy and that is worth all the grit.  So here you see Matthias sledding down and Samuel climbing the hill.  This was their second time outside for the day.  Samuel is loving it this year and is actually sledding.  He must be growing up.

Day 11: Happy Birthday, Parker

 

Happy Birthday to my #2.  It's hard to believe he's already 11.  We're celebrating with home made pizza, cake and ice cream tomorrow night.

Day 10: Chicken Legs

 

The kids love when we have roasted chicken...bones and all.  They beg for the legs b/c they want "chicken with bones".  Of course this also comes with crispy skin.  Today Samuel was enjoying his chicken and says with a huge smile, "I just ate the wrapper off my chicken!!!!"  

Day 9: Maze Balls

I think the is the most popular toy we got for Christmas this year.  The maze balls keep the boys (from Grant to Augustin) entertained for hours.  Augustin is so good at the small one that he can beat it almost every time.  Grant is determined to beat the big "hard" one.  Today I walked into the living room and found Grant and Augustin both playing.

Day 8: A Joyous First Communion

 

Matthias received First Holy Communion today and as an extra special blessing today he had the opportunity to meet our new bishop, Bishop Peter Libasci.  Bishop Libasci got right down and talked to Matthias about what a special day this is and really took time from his busy schedule to make Matthias feel special.  Matthias won't forget today for a very long time.

Day 7: A nice January day

  

It's hard to believe that it's January 7th and Veronica is outside playing in the grass.  Today was the first time she's ever walked in the grass and she loved it.  It was mid-40s and beautiful.  Still cool enough for a hat, but as you can see she has bare legs showing.  We've had no real snow since Halloween and none in the foreseeable future.  I think we're going to take advantage of our 40 degree days this week and spend some time outside.

Day 6: Running, Running, Running

 

Day 6: this is where I spent my day.  It started w/ spending two hours at the dealership getting the alignment corrected.  Then it just kept going.  I spent my day driving.  The good news is, I'm very comfortable driving the van now and can comfortably drink a coffee and drive.  I drove the caravan after spending the day in the big van and it felt so small.

Day 5: Matthias models his new suit

Today is a 2 for 1 day. 

 

Matthias is receiving First Holy Communion on Sunday and his suit got her yesterday.  I had him try it on today and it fits perfectly and he looks so handsome and grown-up in it.  I ordered it from my friend Kristie who runs Puddles Collection.  I think he's all set now.

Day 4: Enjoying the new van

Day 4 of the new year brings a trip in the new van.  Which apparently is still exciting because NO ONE wanted to stay home today.  Typically when asked who wants to come with me some where, I'll have a couple who will enthusiastically say they do (typically Samuel and Augustin) and the rest will say, "No thank you."  Well, today everyone was very excited.  I'm not fooling myself into thinking they really wanted to run errands with mom, I know the truth....they wanted to ride in the new van.  So here is a picture of all the kids...if you count Veronica's feet as being in the picture.  She was sleeping so I decided to just take a picture from the drivers seat.  So this is what I see when I look back.  I'm gathering from the two sleeping children (Veronica and Augustin) the van is comfortable!!!!

Day 3: School Time

Grant studying hard.  I believe he's studying his Catechism here.  Grant loves school and today was the second day back after a month of Advent prep and an easier/lighter schedule.  He thrives on the routine and structure of school and told me yesterday afternoon that he was glad to be back to full days; which means 6.5-7 hours for him.

Day 2: A little craft time

 

Augustin and Samuel enjoying some of their new craft projects while older kids work on school.

Day 1: A Christmas of Warmth

 

I think the theme of my Christmas from Brad and the kids was warmth.  A wonderful blanket, foot warmer for the bed and slippers.  I think he's telling me, in a not so subtle way, that I am cold a lot.