Merry Merry!

Oh what fun it is to be on Christmas break!

We have been having such a wonderful holiday! David and Ben are taking a break from their daily obligations and Amelia and I are relishing having "the boys" home with us 24 x 7.

Christmas was wonderful and BUSY! We had a great few crazy days with family and celebrations but the best part has been hanging out together. We have spent a ton of time home with no schedule and although it has been very out of the ordinary for us, it has been such a nice change of pace.

We have ventured outside every day for some type of skiing or sledding and David and I even had a date a few times! So fun to hang out and make grand plans for 2011. It's going to be a great year!

Today Amelia had her first try at Cross Country skiing and was such a trooper. It was a little shuffle, shuffle, slide, fall, giggle, shuffle, shuffle! After an hour of that we hit the down-hill slopes at 3:15, just because the sun was out, it was 40 degrees and heck, why not?! - how lucky are we!

And we wonder why we always have such a hard time leaving
N. Michigan - it's so beautiful here!

Ben found the heart in the ice over a little stream. We definitely had to take a picture!

How gorgeous is this?!

My girl loves to spin!

Very happily it was a Lego Christmas.

We hiked to a little hill behind Papa and She She's for some sledding.
We were roaring down the hill!

Pretty much happy no matter what!

Our very, very dear Cousin Janet was with us again at Christmas time. We love our Christmas traditions with her!

Happiness is Cross-Country skiing!

She was hiding from the boys and I just couldn't resist the little face
peaking out from behind the tree.

Ben's reaction when he spotted his sister - he's really one of the sweetest big brother's out there!

I love, love, love watching my kids warm up on the old floor vents. In the morning you can be sure to find them all jammied and blankied right here.

My first sweater Ben - if only it were a little longer....

Ben's Christmas wishes..... Corn skewers and an electric toothbrush. We (and Santa) were very happy to fulfill those wishes!

Doll houses and Legos at Papa and She She's - happy wishes!

You've got to appreciate asking a 2 year old to smile :>)

Remember this. Popcorn and cranberries makes for hours of fun stringing and then endless delight watching the squirrels eat them!

Amelia received a chef hat and apron from our Cousin Janet!

My kindergarten heart-throb at his Christmas concert. Mommy was all teary eyed!

Perfect Weekend!

• 3rd birthday party for our dear friend Brennan first thing on Saturday morning. The kids sled, we had lunch and cupcakes and played outside - so fun!
  
• Slow afternoon at home to rest up and I worked, unsuccessfully, on Ben's sweater
  
• Ballet at the performing arts center in Harbor Sprints. Amelia was in AWE of the princesses that were dancing on stage! Pointing, smiling, gently bouncing in her seat, you could practically see the excitement vibrating within her. Ben also sat so still and was carefully watching with reverence and amazement at the talent that was on stage. It was an awesome event to attend with the kids despite that fact that it didn't begin until after their bedtime. We are so glad that we did it!
• Church on Sunday morning where I was Ben's Sunday School teacher which I always enjoy.
• Skiing all afternoon where both kids had a ball and we bumped into many wonderful friends!
  

We are so lucky to live in Northern Michigan!!!

Cabin Updates and Winter Happiness

I am always reminded of how beautiful life seems when I stop and take pictures of the simple happiness around me. Sometimes life can seem a big hectic mess and I miss all of the small things that are so important - especially in this busy season!

That being said, we have been having a ball with the return of winter! Trips to check out the progress on the cabin, cross country skiing through the Bay View woods where the kids notice the sun sparkling on the snow, sledding, doing 100% of our Christmas shopping downtown while the snow was falling (why people shop online boggles my mind!), making gingerbread houses with wonderful friends and hanging out playing in front of the fire.

Sheer Joy!

The little angel making a snow angel - in the middle of a construction site!

View of the cabin from the front door out to the lake. We can't wait!

Can you see the pile of dirt behind B & A? Our dear friend and landscaper Paul is going to work magic with that this spring! Note: The kids are standing on a pile of wood about 5 feet high and that dirt stretches about 20 feet to the left and right as well as 30 feet back!

We were all chilled to the bone after so swung by the Cedarville Motel to hop into the hot tub!

Happy Trails!

First Day of Skiing!

Yes, it's that time of year and it was a monumental moment for our family! We rode up the green chair as a FAMILY! All four of us went up the big hills and this mama was a bit teary eyed. I was sandwiched between my little ones and each was wearing a big smile and I felt like we reached a new milestone. It's exhilarating yet slightly melancholy. No more naps to contend with, no more diapers, you know, you get the picture the sky is our limit now and I must admit I think we're going to soak it up!

My little guy was loving being back on skis and was carving up the hills. I actually jinxed him at one point. I was just thinking, "man that cutie hasn't fallen yet today" when sure enough he took his first and only digger of the day. I must admit I don't even worry about him on skis anymore - can you believe it?! WOW!!

Miss Amelia was a trooper! Despite the fact that the wind was blowing and we were in the middle of the biggest man made blizzard ever experienced, she loved skiing and kept wanting to do "just one more". What a difference over last year (she loved skiing last year too but we were pretty much sledding with her on skis)! We were letting go and she was confidently skiing from us back and forth with the biggest smiles ever!

Life is good up North!

One Lucky Mama!

Have I ever mentioned how lucky I am?

My kids are such a gift - yes, draining and sometimes even maddening but such a blessing!

This weekend we chilled. Such a change of pace and it was so welcomed!

Saturday brought a day full of playing REALLY, REALLY hard at the water park at our dear friend, Quinn's 5th birthday and we had such fun together. Amelia spent much of the time twirling around in the kiddie pool singing "I'm a baby octopus" - we were sure that we had never seen such a cutie pie!

Sunday we had church where I got to be Ben's Sunday school teacher (we take turns). What a kick! The kids were having such a ball, what more could you ask for in a church? We had a very low key afternoon where Ben spent some time making his teacher, Mrs. Ortlieb's Christmas gift (woven pot holders - per his request!) with Gammy while the rest of us ran errands. We then pulled out our winter wool rugs and played by the fire. Amelia was busy with puzzles and Ben created his own air hockey game from a box top and pennies. Too cool!

Can't wait to see what the week brings!

Updates...

Well it has been a long time since writing and uploading pics.

Where to begin....
1) Ben was moved to the AM kindergarten class where he is surrounded by a group of boys who are at the same point in terms of learning. It was requested by the school so we didn't hesitate and he is LOVING school. Ben is reading and writing up a storm and is so happy with the challenge. I have found that my bug is happiest when challenged. I think that's a very good trait and sometimes one that this mom has to remember when I'm leaning towards a low-key day. We are happiest when conquering stuff!
2) Amelia continues to grow up so fast. She goes down the big slides on the playground, is so confident, introduces herself and announces her age. Her favorite thing to wear is her super hero shirt and hates to have her hair "done".
3) I have been contemplating how I want to fill my extra time once Amelia starts preschool next year and Ben is in school full time. I know that we absolutely made the best decision for our family with me being home full time and for that I am so thankful! It goes by so quickly. I can't believe that we are entering a point where they won't be with me 24/7. I am so thankful for all of the little moments with them that I've had since they were born and am trying to focus on how exciting it is to watch who they are becoming as well as to look forward to the possibilities of where I will go know with a little bit of extra time for me. Hmmmm.... time will tell.
4) David is loving his new career. It has been so exciting to watch him be invigorated by what he's doing and dreaming of the possibilities. He also ran a half marathon in Harbor Springs - he love that stuff! The kids both ran in the fun run on that day and came across the finish line with huge smiles. We were so proud of them being so proud of themselves.
5) Looks like we will be digging for the cabins next week - wow! We're all so excited and are hoping to head up to Cedarville for the day to watch the diggers!
6) Continuing to love life and be so thankful for where we are and where we are heading! This journey is truly amazing - we are so blessed!

Early Fall.

We have thrived during Ben's first week of school. In fact, when I mentioned that today was Friday the response from Ben was a huge groan. I was prepared to be told that he didn't want to go to school again today but instead was told that he loved school and was having so much fun that he didn't want to have to be home all weekend! Yeah!!!!

Post first day of school cookies at Jolly Cafe. Mom and Dad were hoping for all of the delicious details of the day... some of which were shared!

Here are a few other cute pictures of our transition into the fall weather.

Scavenger hunt at the college trails courtesy of our dear friend Miss Sara.
Taking time to smell the flowers.
First of many cozy nests by the fire.
Proud Lego building thanks to Uncle D and Aunt Kim!