Thumbs down for winter...

Well, we're trucking along here.  100 days of school, birthday prep, Valentine's Day--you name it, we're working on it!  It's nice to have some projects to keep us busy.  I don't know about all of you, but I have a serious case of the winter blahs right now.  It's been a tough, cold, snowy winter, and I cannot wait for spring.  I thought maybe making plans for my garden and flowers would help...but, not so much.  So, we'll just focus on the upcoming birthday extravaganza and some other activities coming our way.  Hopefully spring will be here before we know it!

 My readers at the library

 We got to try out this zippy thing for a few days.  Apparently, our Subaru did not get the message about staying the course and not creating waves this year.  Major repairs took place last week, draining our bank account and ensuring that we'll be hanging on to the car for a long time (like, the boys will be taking it to college).  Definitely did not help with the winter blahs.

 Hey look!  My very own Orc!

 Jacoby checked out a chemistry book from the library this weekend.  So he and Morgan decided to embark on several science experiments.  Here they're doing sink and float tests.  Jacoby documented their results.  Legos float, by the way, in case you were curious.

 We also had to break out the vinegar and baking soda to make a homemade volcano.  Morgan picked orange food coloring for the lava.

 We enjoyed a beautiful day at the park before the weather turned nasty again

Checking out the frozen lake shore

Hope you all are staying safe and warm!

A Quick Update

Well, we survived our first week back after the long winter break.  I actually don't have much news to report.  Justin continues to work long, long hours on his dissertation.  The boys and I are keeping busy.  Jacoby had a growth check last week and has grown almost an inch since October, so he's up in the 93rd percentile for height.

One of the best conversations we've had so far in 2014 occurred last weekend when the boys inquired how old they had to be to move out of the house (sniff).  When I told them that kids usually move out sometime between 18 and 20, the boys started making plans for their future.  Jacoby plans to move to Boulder, drive a VW Beetle (more fitting than you know for Boulder) and create the instruction manuals for Lego sets.  Morgan plans to move to New York City (over my dead you-know-what), drive a police car, and be a dentist.  So, now that we have all that settled, here are a few pictures from our week.  (:

 We spent a decent amount of time outside over the weekend playing in the snow

 The boys were over the moon with this snow pile

 Discussing all things Lego first thing in the morning...they love being the first ones up in the house.  They creep downstairs and quietly play until we get up.  They also really enjoy getting their own breakfasts on the weekends now.

I stenciled one of our walls.  Turned out great and was super easy (my inspiration came from: here)

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

2014 ~ On Staying the Course

The last day and evening of winter break are always a bit bittersweet for me.  We have thrived with relaxing, unscheduled days, with a special activity or two thrown in.  But there's a part of me ready to get back into the routine and tackle the last half of the school year.

Here are a few pics:

 The boys wanted to do a special project one day, so we made marshmallow snowman

    

 I took the boys swimming and they spent two hours in the pool!  

 They're turning into fishes and love the water

 Here's Jacoby's finished Lego project.  It was a 700+ piece set for 9 - 14 year olds.  He managed to do about 90% of it on his own.  It came with a half dozen minifigures that he keeps in a "safe place", so they're not in this picture...except for the cave troll.

 Is it just me or is it really snowing in these pics?!  I can't figure out if it's a Google or Blogger thing...and I promise I'm only sipping Sprite Zero right now and not a glass of wine. (:

 We got a bunch of snow last night and today, making for a very wintery landscape.

The boys have spent most of their days building all sorts of Lego creations.  It is definitely their activity of choice right now.

And now we're on to 2014.  I think we accomplished most of what we set out for in 2013.  And as I've spent time this past week planning and thinking ahead into the New Year, I think our theme is going to be "Staying the Course" with a fair bit of K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid) thrown in.  We're on a really steady, even trajectory right now in most areas--school, family life, work (for me), medical issues, etc.  Justin for sure has the biggest burdens on his shoulders right now, so I hope the boys and I can keep the ship afloat without rocking it too much so we can make it to the other side of what Justin will be wrapping up.  I do have a few hopes for this year--painting the master bedroom, running a race or two individually and as a family, staying home for part of the summer, going camping, starting piano lessons (for the boys)--but nothing drastic.  Just staying the course for right now.

Christmas 2013

We've had a wonderful Christmas.  We enjoyed a quiet Christmas morning as a family of four, and then the boys received a special surprise when Grandpa Bill & Grandma Pam showed up at our door that afternoon.

 

 The very first gifts they wanted to open were the ones from each other.

 

 Legos were a huge hit this year

 Jacoby received a big Lord of the Rings Lego set and a Chima set from Morgan (which is hands down his favorite)

 The boys got me this lovely wind chime for our garden

 After presents were opened, they were busy most of the day putting Legos together and playing with their new treasures

 Jacoby got Morgan Connect4, which has been a fun addition to our game collection

Daddy and Jacoby started in on the LOTR set...Jacoby just finished building it today (pics will be coming)

 Morgan and Mommy put this droid tank together

 Light sabers from Aunt Megan and Uncle Mark were a big hit

 All my silly boys...

We're so grateful to have celebrated Christmas with these two

 And here we are...another year blessed.

 We've been enjoying relaxing days with Grandma and Grandpa

 Our weather has been amazingly beautiful

Justin and Grandpa Bill enjoyed a day on the slopes up at Winter Park.  I enjoyed a trip to IKEA with my parents.  It's been a great holiday--good food, lots of conversation, puzzles, Legos, movies.  Life doesn't get much better!

The Rest of December...

 December has flown by.  It has been a month filled with activities and special events.

We volunteered for the first time as a family.  It was fun, challenging, and time well-spent.

 The boys went shopping for each other.  They do a really good job picking out gifts for each other.

 The first graders hosted a party for their families.  A good time was had by all.

 The boys started sleeping with each other.  They really enjoyed it for a few nights but they're back in their own beds now.  I think two boys in a twin bed gets mighty cozy.  

 We had our friends over for Christmas Eve to decorate cookies and have a scavenger hunt.

 They're all Lego fans, so they spent some time catching up on the latest Lego news.

 We all went to church together

 The boys got to open one present on Christmas Eve...

 New pjs and a new game for the Wii

 Elf work commenced...

while the children were nestled, all snug in their bed(s).