Snow Days!

It has been one snowy and chilly week here in Richmond. We started out on Monday with over 8 inches of powdery snow - our first real snow storm of the season. We had two snow days before really frigid temperatures descended on Richmond and going out to play in the snow was no longer enjoyable. Thankfully, school went back in session just in time, so I didn't lose my mind due to cabin fever from being stuck indoors with 3 young and  wild, crazy and bickering  energetic children.
Cold weather and snow are really not my forte. But I have to say, I was very proud of myself this week for suiting up along side the girls and for getting out there in the snow for more than my usual 30 seconds (just enough to snap a quick picture). I really enjoyed myself, and sledding with the kids was such a blast!
Our 2 days at home were full of all the snow day "must-dos": sledding, snowballs, snow angels, and hot chocolate. The only thing we didn't get around to was making a snowman, but I'll be just fine if we have to wait until next winter to do that ;-)

Frances taking in the snowfall from one of her favorite perches in the house.

Miss Margaret decked out in her snow gear. She was not quite loving the snow, but it grew on her after a while.

Julia, on the other hand, could not get enough snow.

Daddy leading the way on our first sledding trip.

Margaret brought Bunny Lovey along for the ride.

Caroline and Julia were excellent sled mates.

One of our sledding crews

Margaret the snowball maker.

The snow was perfect for snow angels.

The girls enjoyed lots of hot baths...with the water dyed blue to help them imagine being in tropical waters ;-)

Dress up dance party, anyone?

Spring is coming!!!

Here are several videos from our sledding adventures...

                             Caroline

Mommy, Margaret, and Julia

Julia...who went down alone about 500 times across the two days. She is a total thrill-seeker!

Y Princesses Father-Daughter Dance

Princess Shooting Star and Brave Flying Eagle got all decked out in their fanciest clothes this past Saturday night to attend the Father-Daughter Dance with their tribe at the YMCA.
Caroline was beyond excited about the dance. She requested not only a new dress, but also new shoes to go along with it so that she could be the "fanciest" princess on the dance floor. She was dressed and ready to go by noon, even though the dance didn't start until dinner time. Caroline was delighted to receive a corsage before heading off to dinner and the dance with her tribe. She earned two patches at the dance and came home one happy, if exhausted, Princess.

Picture Post

I blinked and another month flew by. Life lately has been busy as usual. January brought a wide range of experiences for our family. You name it, we did it. Sickness, snow, celebration, travel, and all the normal, everyday kinda stuff. It was a good month...except for the sickness.

Caroline went down hard with the flu and pneumonia this month, and while the rest of us stayed healthy, it was a tough time for all. 

Isabel took full advantage of the house being in disarray and broke every rule she possibly could.

After almost a week and a half of illness, we were so happy to see this sweet little girl feeling like herself again.

These two cuties kept each other company while Mommy played nurse.

Bubble-beared Julia

Me and my mini-me.

Margaret's "I'm up to no good face."

We've been "Roaring for Russell" a lot this month! Go Seahawks!

Caroline got to bring home, Cougie, (her class cougar) this month. She took him on lots of fun adventures during his stay with us. 

We've taken advantage of the few nice days of weather we've had by taking bike rides or walks in the neighborhood or to Ft. Cougar.

I could not be more proud of this little girl and all that she's accomplished this year.

And then came the snow. Julia is quite the snow bunny.

Caroline became a snowball making pro during the season's first snowfall.

We took a little time out during our snow day to make chocolate lollipops with the Benjamins. Yum!

Later in January came the much anticipated Winter Gymnastics Show at the twins' gym. Margaret was so excited to lead her class out onto the floor.

Margaret during warm-up.

Julia striking a pose.

Well, hello there, Julia!

It's medal time!!

Julia says hello to her adoring fans ;-)

At the end of the month, Paul and I got away to Keswick Hall for one night. It was a fabulous and much needed escape.

Christmas 2014

And just like that, another holiday is in the books! Christmas 2014 was wonderful. We got into the holiday spirit at home with lots of festive activities and then we headed down south to Big Canoe to be with Marmee, Grampy, Aunt Allison, Uncle Michael, cousins Landon and Sophia and a couple other special friends. A fantastic time was had by all!

Getting their Christmas ornaments from Marmee and Grampy is always a treat for the girls. 

The girls participated in the church's Christmas pageant this year. They were 3 very cute sheep! 

 Julia singing "Away in a Manger."

We had a great time gingerbread house decorating and caroling at a friend's house.

Caroline dutifully counted down every day of the holiday season with help from her Christmas ornament. I'm sure the special crown she's wearing was very helpful too. ;-)

The Kindergarten Christmas Chapel at Collegiate was so special. I may have cried once (or twice). 

Santa Picture 2014 - two skeptical looking twins.

Cookie time with Julia! 

The girls were very lucky to get to open a round of gifts before we left for Big Canoe. 

Keva Planks from Grandpa and Grandma Hepper have been a huge hit.

Julia is in heaven with her horse, "Winny."

Off to Big Canoe with two stowaways.

Once we arrived, it was time for the cousin shenanigans to begin! There was lots of running around, screaming, and playing for this crew.

A beautiful and silly group of girls ready for Christmas Eve Mass.

The adults looking not too shabby themselves ;-)

Getting ready for Santa's reindeer by spreading their food outside.

Christmas Eve kids' dinner.

Cookies for Santa.

Merry Christmas!! 

Surveying the stash! 

Oops....yes, we ended up in the ER on Christmas morning. Julia had an ear infection and no urgent care centers around Big Canoe were open. 

Thankfully, it was a relatively smooth visit and nothing a little Advil and some antibiotics couldn't fix.

Back at Big Canoe, Grampy fired up the outdoor fireplace and we roasted s'mores!

Julia was feeling much better!

Landon photobombing.

Margaret and Marmee got chilly so they came inside to check out Margaret's favorite book, "Pete the Cat," online. 

Hanging out fireside with my love. 

Grampy and his fire. 

Playing hide and seek with Grampy.

Julia and Daddy having "breakfast," courtesy of one of her new toys.

Uncle Michael playing "Hiss" with some of the girls. 

"Lookout below!!" Julia was a madwoman in the pool!!

These sweet girls had a wonderful Christmas, thanks to friends and family near and far!!