Susie Snowflake

Well, it's that time of year!  Today is a whiteout...snow from 8am to 8pm, 12-18" predicted.  And I had just cleared the driveway of built-up ice yesterday :}  Reuel is home and he and the kids are out in it in full gear...balaclavas and ski goggles included!

And some from earlier weeks...we've only had a little snow before this big one...and a whole lot of cold rain.  Ugh!

Holidays 2016

There was caroling at the nursing home with friends...

There was time spent with new baby cousin and her family... 

There was a 5th birthday party...

There was a whole lot of Christmasing...

There were road trips and sights along the way...

And now we have a self-cleaning fish tank with our new friend Waterbomb!

Happy New Year!!

Eden learning to read

Eden has started a little bit of schoolwork with her bro's this year (beyond the osmosis-style learning that is quite incredible!  Had no idea she'd learned numbers beyond 10 til she counted to 100 for me!).  When I say little bit, I mean little bit--I think we're on reading lesson 19 (as in 19 days we've done something since September).  But she's got her three letter CVC words down pretty well!  And can you tell the type of books she can read by the ones she made for me today?   So cute I had to share.

THE FOX

[it is amazing how she can write completely backwards sometimes.  Sometimes she'll write down all the numbers 1-20 completely backwards--perfectly backwards--and right to left, as above.  Sometimes normally.  All the kids did this!  Reuel and I don't remember this stage...?

THE FOX ON U BOX

THE FOX GIS OF THE BOX

THE DOG

THE DOG ON U LOG

THE DOG JUMPS ON THE LOG

Anyway, very cute.  She would be highly embarrassed to know I posted these (but might enjoy seeing them later) so if you see her, best not to ask her about them or say you saw them :)

O=9.5

Half a cake for half a year!

Asher's first recital!

Asher had no nerves at all for his first guitar recital.  And he did a great job!  Steve is an engaging, kind teacher and Asher is really enjoying his lessons.

Click below for video!

Asher's Recital

When he's not playing guitar, Asher can be found making dunce caps from mailing envelopes and
substituting paper towels when he can't find his bath towel.  Then giggling uproariously.

Bigger in Texas

Everything's bigger in Texas, even the fun!  Boy, did we have a power-packed trip to Mommo and Daddo's house, and with our wonderful Dallas cousins too.  Daddo captured the action highlights, and they are some great ones!  The boys don't yet know how special it is to get to visit a ranch owned by their grandparents, with visits centered on their enjoyment.  It's probably better that the pictures don't include the harvesting of the feral hogs for hams and shoulders (you think I'm kidding?).  The kids got the true experience of country living!  Thanks for the fantastic trip.  It was awfully cold and dark when we got back home :P

Owen graduated and is old enough to drive his own 4-wheeler!  What excitement!  He was a good driver.

 Yes, guns.  Don't tell our Massachusetts friends :}

A Dad and his riflemen. 

Asher caught the biggest fish of the week, and we ate it (and a few others)  Very tasty!

Eden caught a big one too! 

Quick flix

Kids=Engineers!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjT2hCamE0MkdJX1E

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4But2fh1pYjU2FsNHYyb0YxdXM