90 minutes of sledding = loads of fun and one sore bum

We live on a hill.  Well, our backyard is a hill.  We don't like teeter on the top of a hill which is what that first sentence seems to imply to me.  When you go out our back door, you are on the deck and then you have to go down the steps to reach the grass.  This type of yard drives me absolutely nutso.

However.

It does have its advantages.  Like in the summer and winter.

It makes for a fantastic sledding hill and a great spot to place a slip and slide.  And since we get loads of snow in the winter and hot hot temps. in the summer I suppose we are in just the right spot to raise up these kids in the backyard.

The sun was shining so brilliantly yesterday.  Sara and took to our slope and I tell you what, we had a ton of fun.  Our hill is like its never been before.  It comes complete with three jumps (hence the sore bum) and lots of speed.  This is what we say on the way down, "oh man, Oh Man, HOLLLLDDDD OOOOONNNNN!"  I am so surprised that Sara has never fallen off.  She is a little daredevil when it comes to sledding.

When the big kids came home and I went out again but with both girls.  Seriously fun.  Sun started to set and I thought, wow, this has just been fantastic.  And there is something so relaxing about laying down in the snow.  I'm not sure what it is.  But it's quiet, the trees are bare, and you're just there.  And then my 3yr. old comes over to me and says "Mom, open your eyes!!"  I laughed.  We've been having fun these winter days.

Matthew and I are missing our outdoor ice rinks this year.  The winter here has been on the mild side and simply not suitable for keeping ice frozen.  I have a feeling the skates will have to be put away and we'll just have to wait until next year.

So, I'm glad we at least have our sled hill.

Fashionista...

If you know be but at all, you'll know I'm a jeans and a t-shirt gal.  I'm not one to get fancied up everyday.  I don't need to "put on my face before I can go out", I can look nice when I need to but really, I prefer to be casual. 

So when my 6yr. old comes to me asking if I can wear my jeans skirt and black sweater like her so we can be twins, I oblige.  Even in the middle of winter with snow on the ground.  I wore knee high socks like her and my tall snow boots.  Can you just picture it?  I thought it actually turned out pretty well with the snow boots but I'm sure black heel boots would've been more classy.

But remember?  I'm not really classy on a day to day basis.  In fact every Sunday before we go to church I'm amazed at the outfit I've pulled together.  I usually exclaim to Jim, "can you believe I did this?" :)  It's the truth.

Now that that's out of the way.

Ella Jane has a new talent.  Thanks to her new crafting beads; thank you grandma she is loving them.  She is up to about 11 or 12 of these beauties.  I want to say she calls them "things" but somehow that doesn't sound right.  Shoot I wish I remembered.  {sidenote: we have about 6 clear beaded icycles that we hang on the tree every year.  She mentioned that next year we could use her "things" because they are more colorful.}

Isnt' she fantastic?  I love her sense of creativity.

Kissed by the snow...

...and then some.  Not a ton of snow, but certainly enough to make for a great day of sledding.  I'm in love with the memories we made today.  I'm in love with the photos I captured today.  I'm in love with the fact that my kids got some quality outside playtime today.  It's days like this when I love being the mom I am.

I'm so gaga after these photos.  You'd think I'd just had a baby or something.  But seriously, so proud of my Team Gunn today.  That's what we call ourselves.  Do you call your family something?  We say Team Gunn whenever we're looking for a team effort like when the house has been turned on its side and needs a major pickup.  Or when we have super behavior from the kids.

Go Team Gunn.

Today was one of those days.  Everyone gets a clip on their cup.  I'm glad I mentioned that because I don't think I've ever written it before.  It's the reward system we use in our house.  It's been a useful tool for over 2yrs. now. 

Good behavior = a clip on your cup. 

10 clips = suprise box.

Surprise box= most of us gathered around the "winner" to see what they choose.

One of those days when I take a second out of making dinner to scream out the window..."woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woooooooooo!  Way to go Ella Jane!!!!!!!!!!" after a really cool run down the sled hill.

Without further ado.  Our photos.

Did you notice Sara sticking out her tongue?  She had so much fun today.  Far cry from last year when she was so very frightened by sledding.  Glad she's turned that corner.  And that one of her on her belly with the feet?  Those are Matthew's feet but they kind of look like they might pass for hers.

Last week we were tromping around in mud. 

We had fun doing that too, but so very thankful for the snow!!!

Just for a moment...

Just wanted to touch back here for a moment before we started the new year.  Our Christmas break is nearing its end and it has been an interesting one.  One I coulnd't have forseen really.  I guess that's why they call it hindsight. 

The biggest thing being, we have no snow.  Midwesterners without snow is like taking a fish out of water.  I think.  I'm not from the midwest so mabye that's not entirely true and I'm certain there are many people who are excited about the very mild winter we've been having.  For me, it's a bit strange.

Usually, I'm thrilled to get a break in getting kids ready for school in the frigid weather.  Walking to and fro in the snow and ice does take it's toll.  And more and more, Jim is able to hang back in the morning so that I can just walk up with the big kids.  And really, with the coat issues Sara has been having it's probably just as well that I haven't needed to bundle her up.

But anyways, over break we usually play in the snow, sled, build snow forts, and shoo the kids out to just play.  This year was different.  I had to shoo the kids out to take a lap around the culdesac and they moaned and groaned.  Apparantly, it's no fun to be out in the cold (we're talking 35 degrees here, it's not like it's below freezing) with no snow on the ground. 

My thoughts are a bit of a jumble.  Jim just left with the kids and I want to finish this by the time they get back.  He has been working like mad to finish a major paper and today was the day.  Hooray!  Now he'll gear up to teach a class at the University for a month and then after that it's back to work like normal.

All in all, our Christmas break has been different.  The best part I think is that Sara gets to have playmates.  The girls seem to buddy up pretty well and play the most funny games.  Lately, they are putting baby clothes on their stuffed animals.  They come by it honestly.  I used to do that as a child.  And they didn't even know that, so maybe all kids do that?  Who knows.

I'm decluttering my house like a crazy lady.  I have a stack of CD's and photos to talk to Jim about and told him this morning in a chipper little voice;  "Hey let's go through these CD's today!   Wouldn't that be fun?"  He didn't really think so.  :)

Presidential candidates are coming to our little city like crazy too.  The hours of 5:00pm and 8:00pm will find the phone ringing nearly every 3-4 min. with a survey or announcement that so and so will be here at this time if you'd like to come out and show your support.

We'll go to one together as a family on Monday.  I'm really excited about it.  I think they are a hoot to go to.  I went to see Bush when he campaigned, oh how long ago was that, 8yrs.? no more than that.  Anyway, that was a load of fun, saw Obama a few years back.  That was more low key but very cool to be a part of.  Regardless of party I love to see how these things work.  The whole campaign deal.

Anyway, it's New Year's Eve.  We have plans to stay home this year and watch Kung Fu Panda 2 with the kids.  They are so very excited.

Happy New Year to you!

It's finally here...

We've been waiting and waitng.  Counting the days unitl Sara could put up baby Jesus on the calendar.  Thank you Maria, it has served us well, and brought much anticipation this season!

I like this picture; it looks kind of funny with the lighting.  It splits to rooms; our living room and our sun room.

To pass the time we've been sleeping under the Christmas tree, which I promise you is not on fire, contrary to this photograph...

having chess matches, baking cookies, wrapping presents.  And now, it's finally here. 

Christmas.

Kids are excited.  And sleeping soundly.  Although it's around this time that I usually get a little visitor.  I better scoot.

edge.of.their.seats...

The kids loved The Nutcracker.  They were getting squirmy in the moments before the curtain went up, and as soon as it did, backs were straight and I kid you not, edge of their seats for nearly and hour.  They've never seen ballet before and I hope this is the start of a wonderful tradition for our little family. 

I have wonderful memories of attending the program as a child to watch my sister perform.  Just hearing that music brought back so many scenes that I'd forgotten from The Nutcracker way back when.  When my friend Tara was a candy cane.  When Randall was the Mouse King.  When Maria was an Arabian Princess.  And on and on.  Oh!  I am having Nutcracker on the brain these days.

Kids begin their Christmas break tomorrow.  Yay!  More freedom around the house.  Matthew has taken a sudden interest in basketball so we will find ourselves over at the neighbor's house I'm sure, practicing our mad b-ball skills.

I'm currently reading a book titled Clutter Busting.  If you know me but at all you're probably wondering why in the world I'm reading a book about clutter.  I tell you what, no matter how good you think you are about getting rid of stuff this book will bring to light a whole new level of clutter that you probably didn't even know was there.  It's fascinating to me.  I love reading it.  And learning from it.  Christmas break will include more de-cluttering.

I finally bought a sewing machine.  I say finally, because it's been on my mind for several months now about whether or not I should buy one.  And I just realized one day that I was going to do it.  {Backstory} I made a quick trip to Seattle in November for my grandpa's funeral and while there picked up a ton of great fabric that you simply cannot find in my town.  Specifically, fabric to make robes for my three children.  A hefty first project I'm sure but I figured with a pattern I couldn't go wrong.  We got the project started out there and by the time I came home here to the midwest there were only a few weeks before Christmas.  I knew if I was going to get these done in time I'd have to have a machine of my own.  So off I went and bought it.  I am loving it!  Two robes down, one to go.  Christmas break will include more sewing.

It will also include I'm sure, getting my hair done by my girls, Pretty Pretty Princess, reading time with my boy, and wishing and wishing for snow!

As if on cue...

It wasn't much, but snow none the less.  Just a dusting really.  When Jim and I walked out of the annual Christmas Gala we were met with the very beginnings of snow.  The kind that is sparkly under the lights.  And I thought, now, that is just the perfect ending to a beautiful evening.

We'd spent the 2hrs. prior, sipping wine, munching horderves, and making small talk with other fellow employees and their spouses.  We go almost every year and the kids are usually amazed that mama can look sooooo fancy.

Don't you love what they captured?  It's their turn to get fancy tonight as I'm taking the big kids to their first ever,

Nutcracker! 

 Lots of excitement here.  Can't wait to see what they think about it.

A far cry from last year...

This time last year our yard was burried in snow.  We'd said goodbye to the grass and accepted that winter was indeed here.

This year?  Well, I'm beginning to have my doubts.  Not a flake of snow on the ground.  Our grass is as plain as day and school gets out for Christmas break in less than a week.  What?  But there is no snow on the ground! 

 Last night at the dinner table Matthew shared that it wasn't winter unless there was snow, and it wasn't summer unless there was hot, hot, sun.  That's my boy.

The fun about living in the midwest is the chance to experience all of those seasons.  But, I'm missing the snow.  I hope it comes soon.

Sara and I went for our walk this morning but more and more she prefers to walk with me instead of letting me push her in the stroller.  This means I forgo my brisk walk and switch gears for a meandering stroll instead.  We didn't get far today on our walk, but admired Christmas decorations in yards and what fun it was to just stand in front of one and listen to Sara as she described what she liked about it.

Have you ever analized yard decorations?  I suppose it is more fun with a preschooler, otherwise you're just an adult lurking around someone else's yard.  So maybe don't do that unless you have a young one with you.

Speaking of preschoolers, it's just about time for me to sign my little one up.  It gives me just the smallest twinge of something in my gut.  The *gasp* she's almost four already?  The *gasp* do I really  have to send her?  And then, I catch my breath and realize that yes, I do need to send her and while she will be missed around here it's okay.  She'll be okay, and so will I. 

 She's been a wonderful little sidekick and blessing for me to have with me.  In a matter of months it'll be time for her to join the ranks of all the other kids and go to school!  She reminds me that when she's four she will be ready to go.  Sounds like a good plan to me.

Until then, we are enjoying our mornings of coffee and special coffee and many, many games of Pretty Pretty Little Princess.  Have you ever played that?  It's a hoot.