Afternoon improvement

Our afternoon definitely improved our day. It was a beautiful winter day out there and we took advantage of it. I called my dad for reinforcements and had a blast. We tromped around in the snow, built a snowman pile and then body-slammed it, threw snowballs and did some sledding. My dad had sent Logan down a few times and on one trip, Logan got a little air. Dad and I looked at each other and said, "Let's build a ramp." Perfect for a 5 year old, right? We took it easy and Logan loved it. He wanted to go high enough in the air to make it down to the willow tree. Not quite...

The girls got in on the action, just a more toned down version.

We also cleaned up around our bird feeders and refilled their water. We spend a lot of time watching the busy, busy birds. Logan's favorite is the Downy Woodpecker; Harper's is the Northern Cardinal; I'll guess and say that Ainslee loves the Juncos - they're always in big numbers and move around a lot; Trav's is the bald eagle but they don't frequent the feeder; my favorite is the Tufted Titmouse - although they've been scarce this season.

If winter days were always like this, I'd be more upset to see the snow melt. But around here, these upper 30 degree days filled with sunshine and little wind are kind of rare. As it is, I'm longing for spring (but enjoying days like these.)

I had to post this picture again.  It is just too funny.  

It has been kind of slow start to the week.  Yesterday, the girls and I got out and enjoyed the sunshine and no wind.  I pulled them around the place on the saucer.  Ainslee grinned the whole time and Harper did such a good job of holding her baby sister.  On the second time around, she loudly declared that her arms were tired, so we called it.  She still had enough energy to climb the show mountain outside our porch, though.  Ainslee laid in the snow and swished her hands through it but it is too cold for the baby! Logan missed out because he was being studious at school.  They are learning to tie their shoes and he's awfully excited.  "First you cross, go under, make a loop and keep a long tail out.  Then take the other one, take it around and pull tight through." - in case you needed a reminder.

It is definitely a full pot of coffee kind of morning.  Ainslee has 4 teeth (2 up, 2 down) and is super clingy.  It makes it hard to move around freely when you've got 20 pounds hanging on your pant leg.  She is just so busy.  Up and down and up and down.  Her latest thing is to pick things up and carry them around.  Anything - clothes, stuffed animals, remotes, phones...  She's also starting to talk.  She says mama, dada, ni ni (night night) and her own version of bye bye.  My grandma & grandpa taught her button and it sort of rolls off her tongue.

This is about all the blogging I've got in me today.  We had a pretty rough night of sleep.  Between Harper & Ainslee, I'm doing good to get in 4 hours...if that...and never in a row...

And here we are again...

Travis has started a photography blog which will be fun for some but it was suggested that a family blog would be fun for all... We tried this once and found out with some research that it has been over 4 years since we posted. Where has the time gone?! A family member started their own version and it as been fun to stay up to date via blogger instead of reading only status updates on facebook. Inspired, we decided to resurrect ours. The kids are busy (and it's only starting) so we've got lots to talk about.

We went to Peter & the Wolf this morning - performed by the KC Symphony. It was wonderful. Logan's favorite part was when the wolf gobbled up the duck and his favorite instrument was all of them. Harper was squirmy. Ainslee stayed home and entertained Grandma Terry & Grandpa Bret. She's walking and talking and moving and grooving.

Logan's 5th birthday was pretty exciting - he had a family birthday party, a preschool crowd party and then spent the night at Great Wolf Lodge. I think his favorite gift was a wrestling singlet & shoes from Grandma Terry & Grandpa Bret. He has very little experience wrestling but he's got the enthusiasm of the best! His school friends (11 of them) came over for cake and house destruction. Logan was so thrilled to show off where he calls home and all his toys. Great Wolf Lodge was more fun this year. Logan was able to do some slides by himself and he gave me (Jodi) the tour of the fort. He also gave me step by step directions on how to go down the BIG slides with Travis. Last year I was pregnant and had to sit out for the most part. This year Travis and I got to go down the Triple Twister (which means 3 times, says Logan.) Harper stayed in the wading pool, content to swim around chasing her baby sea monster. She's three... Ainslee played for about 20 minutes and then went upstairs with Grandma Carla & Grandpa Jim to rest. :)

We hope to keep this updated. It sure makes us feel more connected to family & friends that can't see these monsters everyday. Gives a little heads up on what to expect when we come to town!