Catching Up

It has been a long time since our last update!  We have been enjoying January, despite the freezing cold temperatures.  We are in the middle of a couple cold days off again from school.  

You know it has been cold when the 30 degree days grace us and we feel pretty amazing! 

 

I am hoping for more snow and more 30 degree days so we can enjoy the snow :)   

 

Happy 2014!!  We had a low key NYE in with the kids and close friends.  The kids stayed up until 10:30.  Ryan wanted them to make it until midnight but it just didn't happen this year :)

 

I love this picture because it looks like Howie has a Santa hat on and shows how crazy our New Year's Eve got.  Ha! 

 

Airplane flying...a Layla favorite.  Grady is still working on his form! 

We have squeezed in some fun snow time in between the chilly temps!

 

We have had quite a bit of snow this year too.  With so much snow, snow removal has required a lot of our time this year.  We have two neighbors that attack our driveway every time it snows. 

Ryan always runs out to help but we are beyond thankful for their help.  

 

We have obviously been stuck inside quite a bit lately and we have had a ton of playtime inside.  The kids love this.  They love nothing better than staying in their pajamas all day and playing. 

Or as Grady says, "I home.  I pay.  Pay home?"   Here he is on various days enjoying his toy time in his pajamas.

Blue always lays with his tail on the track.  He likes to make sure he gets some touch time!

Layla has had a lot of playtime at home too!  Here she is "teaching" at her school:

 

We have had to consult Pinterest on many occasions for help with ideas to keep busy inside!

 

And in the middle of the cold, Layla has started swim lessons.  She has not been signed up for anything extra since kindergarten started to allow her ample downtime at home.  But she has been asking and asking to do swim lessons.  So we decided to try it.  She smiles from ear to ear in the pool.  And come summer, we will be very thankful for the swim lessons! 

 More days off = more fun!!  We hit a children's museum on one of Ryan and Layla's recent days off for a holiday.  The kids had a blast stretching their legs a bit.

 

 

Cabin fever?  Maybe :)  Ryan and I have become a bit obsessed with the kids' Plasma Car that they received for Christmas.  Here I am after a ride with Howie.  He kind of liked it.  Tonight Ryan and I timed ourselves to see who was faster on the car.  We.are.so.exciting.  And Ryan beat me by three seconds! 
 

 

I celebrated my birthday this month and my favorite gift from Ryan and the kids was a trip to Disney on Ice.  We had so much fun.  We knew Layla would love it but we were surprised by Grady's interest in the entire show.  He watched the whole show and didn't even need to walk around during intermission. 

 

 

 

 

And just this past weekend, we celebrated sweet Elise's (Laura and Chad's little girl) first birthday.  She is the sweetest little girl and had a fun party at an ice skating rink and indoor play zone. 

Layla and Grady had a blast.  They were the last to leave.  Even after the birthday girl :)  Thank you to my parents for helping with the kids during the party. 

They ice skated with the kids too!  I need to get the picture to share!

 

 

What a fun, full and cold month.  The sun will come eventually and it will be so sweet when it does.  But until then we will find fun ways to enjoy the winter!!