Winters End

It's been a cold winter! Days and days of sub-zero temperatures. And I thought we stayed in the South for a reason. Brr. 

We didn't get too much snow with our cold, cold temperatures but just enough to have a little snow playtime.

And we made use of any warmer days and got outside!

But now it's spring and we're excited to be hanging up our hats and jackets!

(At least hopefully soon...we did have snow again two days ago)!

Keystone

In March we left slowly warming up Nashville for snowy Colorado and headed to Keystone. We put Lucas on skis for the first time and he loved it! I think we have a new ski enthusiast on our hands. I give him 2 years to be flying down the slopes faster than his mommy.

The excitement started with the flight out to Denver for the kids. Airports, suitcases, and planes are exciting afterall. Not to mention the BNA airport has an indoor playground.

First day headed out to the slopes.

Haley preferred enjoying the view from inside.

Our first stop for Lucas:

And in good Lucas style, there was barely a "bye mom, bye dad." Off he went... We did ski by the practice area a couple of times to see the progress on making "pizzas" and "french fries."

We managed to have some beautiful snow and beautiful skiing weather. And after a few (or several) runs, I finally got my ski legs back under me too. Can't blame a girl for sometimes being a bit timid when the hubby not so accidentally drags her down a black.  But I think i hung in there pretty well while keeping my ACL intact.

The boys all bundled:

Ski lift time called for photo-op with the father-in-law

 And skiing with the hubby

Faces!

 

Big ski smile!

And a quick shot from the way home... couldn't let the cold stop us from enjoying a little ice cream. 

Snow Day

With February came our first (maybe last?) snow for the year! It stayed for just a few hours ... just enough to get our feet wet.

Haley staring longingly at the window. 

Our Christmas Celebration

 Santa Claus was good to us. So good.

In return we did share our cookies and milk.

 We loved getting to celebrate with my family.

The kids were fabulous. A little antsy at church but otherwise angels the whole evening. Even for picture time. Amazing what a little Santa incentive will do.

They even sat quietly as we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before opening presents.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

 The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 Our own Santa Baby was all smiles.

Lucas helping Daddy make Eggnog martinis. Ask us for the recipe. They are delicious!

Finally present time!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to All! It's been another wonderful holiday here in Nashville. My parents and Jenni came up to celebrate and we have had a few wonderful days with them. Matt and I worked today but we were both home for the Christmas Eve celebration yesterday and had a blast unwrapping presents with the kids.

We also had a fun time getting ready for Christmas this year. The kids have loved every minute of it and have been in awe of all the pre-Christmas on-goings.

Lucas raced to open a door every morning of his not one, but three calendars. His favorite was the Kinder Chocolate calendar my grandmother sent him from Germany. Kindereggs behind doors and getting to eat them before breakfast, can't beat that.

Eli, the Christmas Elf, made his first appearance at our house this year. Every night he left us to head back to the North Pole and tell Santa whether we've been naughty or nice around here. He reappeared somewhere else every morning and Lucas had fun tracking him down every day.

And we of course got our Christmas tree.

And decorated it. Winter hats required.

Soon all the lights were on.

 And the ornaments too.

The season brought a few more holiday treats. We watched Jenni dance as the Mouse Queen in the Nutcracker.

And posed with the Nutcracker at the Opryland Hotel.

And watched a special Holiday Shrek show.

Pictures from our Christmas celebration to come soon! Merry Christmas and Frohe Weihnachten from all of us! We hope yours has been as blessed as ours.