Snow

We had a pretty good snow storm a few days ago, and the kids were SO excited about it, that they couldn't even wait for it to stop snowing before they were outside playing. Our yard is mostly flat, but does have a gradual slope on one side, so the kids went out and went sledding. I was shocked at how long they stayed out and played, especially because it was still snowing so hard.

 

Makenna after she finally came in!

Two days later, we were able to have some more fun outside in the snow. Clara even came outside for a little bit, and enjoyed discovering the snow.

 

John also helped the kids make a snowman, using the new snowman kit they had received for Christmas from Uncle Joey and Aunt Marie.

 

And of course there were a few snow angels made as well.

Valentine's Day

The best part of my Valentine's Day was that John surprised me that morning, by telling me that he was taking the day off to spend with us! We had a nice Valentine's breakfast together, and had a fun day as a family. John also got Clara her first ever flower (which she later smashed on her high chair tray).

 

 

My favorite 'love' story came not on Valentine's day, but about a week later. Hudson had done something to land him in time out in his room, and he was not happy about it. (There were lots of tears.) John and I went into his room and shut the door, and were talking to him about why he was in time out, and trying to calm him down, when Makenna slipped this note under his door. What a sweet big sister she is to Hudson and Clara!!

 

Clara is Crawling

Clara is 8 months old now, and has started to crawl!! I love watching a baby learn new things. It is so amazing to me how one day they can't do something, and then the next day they can. I also love the 'crawling baby' stage. A crawling baby is just so cute to me. Clara has also already learned how to crawl up the stairs!! Life just got busier for me.

 

She made it to the top, and off she goes!

Sleeping

I always peek in and check on my kids before I go to bed, and sometimes I find them sleeping in strange positions, like sideways, or on the floor. My favorite however, has to be finding Makenna sleeping with a baby doll tucked under her shirt. Silly Girl!

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink - Year 2

Last night, we were able to make our 2nd annual trip to the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink. Last year we went in the afternoon, and the rink was almost empty; this year we went in the evening, so it was a little bit busier, but it was also fun because of all the lights they had up. Having Clara with us also made this year a little bit more complicated because only one of us could be out on the ice with the big kids while the other would stay with Clara. Nonetheless, we still had a fun time, and were happy to continue with this tradition.

 

Getting ready

 

Ice Skating with the 'big' kids

Bundled up under the lights

Christmas in Omaha

After we got home from our trip to Branson, we decided to make Saturday the 29th our day to celebrate Christmas in Omaha. In the morning, we opened the gifts that we had bought/made for each other, and then later that night, we went over to my parent's house and celebrated Christmas with them.

 

Clara opening presents with Makenna's help 

 

 Hudson opening his basketball hoop (one of the two BIG reasons we couldn't bring the kids' presents from us to Branson)

 

Makenna opening her dress up storage piece that John made and I painted and decorated (the other BIG gift, that we couldn't pack with us). My brother Lance had made one of these storage pieces for his daughter, and then offered to help the other dads in our family to make them for their daughters. Makenna LOVES it, and now has a place for all of her princess dresses and accessories. I love that it is one of a kind, and that Clara will one day be able to use and enjoy it too!

Saturday night we went out to my mom and dad's for dinner, and to celebrate Christmas with them and uncle Morgan.



 

 Makenna got this cute little pink chair from my parents.

Hudson's favorite gift of the night was Hungry, Hungry, Hippos, which he played with all night long.

Christmas In Branson - Part 3

The best part about Christmas in Branson was spending time with John's family. The kids LOVE hanging out with their aunts and uncles, and were also so excited to meet their first Pawlowski cousin, Olivia, who was born in August.

 

Attacking Uncle Dan with 'Butterfly Kisses'

Decorating Gingerbread cookies with Aunt Annalee and Aunt Natalie

 

Reading Books

Some of the other things we did in Branson included, attending church, going out to eat, taking 'Old Time Photos', seeing an amazing production of Joseph, and driving through the Trail of Lights.

 

At Church

The view from our house rental was pretty beautiful (even in the dead of winter).

 

Hudson with Mike and Natalie

 

Uncle Joey, and baby Olivia

 

 

Clara also learned some new tricks while we were in Branson:

 

the plank

 

hands and knees