Snow Days

We got two, huge, snow storms last month.  The first came with almost a foot of snow, and then a few days later, another 6-7 inches, or so.  We were snowed in from work for four days!  I'd say we were all going a little stir crazy after some time, and it was great to finally get out of the house.  We were able to do a lot of sledding and playing in the snow, and that was bundles of fun.

Keane and I were invited on an "adult" sled ride with some neighbors.  This consisted of a sheet of metal being pulled down the snowy gravel roads by a tractor, a trough of fire, good friends, and alcohol.  We even stopped a few times to have a "road party."  It was cold, but it was fun.

Kaden sledding down the lake dam

 

Kylie sledding down the lake dam -- so fast she slipped off the sled

 

 

In front of the truck by the snow pile, Keane and Kaden are bird hunting

Sister Visit

I took the four (ish) hour trip last weekend to see my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.  It was fun to live a couple days in the life of theirs.  We shopped, got McCoy's hair cut, went to the circus (the first 1.5 hours which was plenty for McCoy), and had a beer/movie night at home. 

I love seeing that little nephew of mine grow.  He repeats a lot of things you say, so I believe he said "Aunt Kristi" or "Ti Ti" a lot.  He loved playing Color Ripple on my cell phone, pretending to spray my body spray on his little tush, talking during his nap times, waking up early, picking on his dog-siblings, going through my suitcases and purse for things to play with, hiding his book in my suitcase and being surprised each time he saw it, climbing up and down on and off our laps, doing doggy tricks by picking up Roxy's foot for "shake," dragging a shopping basket through Target, being a daredevil standing on his tricycle with no hands, and taking a bath.  He didn't like having to give up my phone charger, getting his hair cut, or being patient while his mommy and aunt shopped at TJ Maxx.

My sister is truly my best friend and I am so happy every time I get to see her.  We watched shows, we talked about life and relationships, we played with her sweet son, and we spent as much quality time together as we could in the few short days I was there.

 

 

Kaden's Birthday...and Kylie's too

Happy Birthday, Kaden.

You are growing into a fine, young man.  You are showing your talent in basketball, you are looking forward to baseball, and you have done a really great job the last two years you've played football.  You are rocking at spelling tests, making 100% almost all of the time now.  You enjoy fishing, exploring in the woods, and shooting your guns.  You love tractors and your dog.  You always look out for your little sister, and you put up with her orneriness better than could be expected.  You always look to please the people in your life, and you love hearing stories about your father's childhood.  You hate bedtime but love just about every food there is.  You can seriously out-eat any of us at any given time, or at least come close to your dad's appetite.  You love to organize and to collect things that you find an interest in, and sometimes that means empty boxes and rusted chains and your dad's tools.  You love watching TV but you don't like cleaning your room.  You are very caring and curious.  I hope your 9th year will be your best yet.

This year you invited a friend to spend the night and go laser tagging with you for your birthday.  We all enjoyed the laser tag games and our team beat the socks off the other team both times.  I hope this is a memory that you will always remember.  We also spent a lot of time sledding over your birthday weekend.  You preferred to sled by yourself, although Kylie liked riding with you in the sled.  You took some major dumps off the sled but you sure toughed them out.  You got a little upset that you couldn't hit the snow ramp your dad built, but that's okay, because you and your friend took many sled rides down the lake dam (away from the lake, of course).  You requested homemade mini pizzas for supper and a cookie cake for dessert.  Your birthday present this year included a room re-do.  You got a new TV, a desk that used to be your great-grandmother's, a new bedding set, and a reorganized room, which all of it is absolutely loved by you.

 

 

 

Kylie,

Your birthday was over three months ago.  I haven't posted about it, but we sure didn't miss it.  Seven years old you are.  You were telling people that you were 7 well before you were.  You like to ask if you look or act older than you are, and you are proud when you are told that you do.  I can honestly say that you are sometimes the highlight of our day.  You have all sorts of voices that you do and each one of them crack us up.  You have a baby voice (which we can only handle for a short period of time), a "Jimmy" voice, an oriental voice, and a slow-sad-tiny voice.  You can sing.  You know pretty much every word to every song that plays on the radio.  Your favorite singer is Taylor Swift.  You love sports.  You can play right along with the rest of us at basketball, and you are quite good at baseball with an exceptionally good throwing arm.  You are a bright one.  I hope you always keep up the good work. 

For your seventh birthday, you invited a friend to go to Bonkers and to spend the night with you.  You two busied yourselves with roller skating in the kitchen, playing on the trampoline, baking in your Easy-Bake Oven, and taking a bath.  Stay young as long as you can, dear one. 

 

 

Sibling Outing

My sister, brother, and I went on our first sibling shopping day.  I have been planning on doing this for about a year now.  I have decided to buy my little brother a pair of shoes each year.  I want him to have something to look forward to, and to enjoy and appreciate each year from his sisters.  I planned on getting him basketball shoes, but by the time we were able to all gather together, his basketball games were down to few.  Instead, he picked out any-day shoes.  He seems so very pleased with his choice.

Keane's dad told me that I can't call Kollin my "little" brother forever, that I have to let him grow up sometime.   He's right, I do, but I don't think I'll start today.

 

 

We made a few extra stops while we were at the mall, including getting Kollin's hair cut, buying Dad some birthday clothes, and helping Kollin pick out some baseball cleats. 

 

Kimberly and I had a heart-to-heart with Kollin.  He listened more than he joined in, but we wanted him to know our hearts for him and that he can feel comfortable talking to us when and if he chooses to, whether it be now or five years down the road.  We hope he utilizes his resources in his two older sisters and knows exactly how much he means to us, even though he doesn't see us every day.

 

 

 

We were also able to spend some time with this little, handsome guy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McCoy called his grandpa "Papa" this weekend.  He said "kitty" really high pitched and excited-like and says "meo" for meow.  He says "uh-oh" to a lot of things, including the sound of a cell phone text message.  He loves to throw trash away and to play on Grandma's tablet.  As soon as he spots a cell phone, he makes a mad dash towards it hoping to retrieve it.  McCoy loves being chased down the hallway, and watching cartoons.  He gives hugs by putting his head on your shoulder, he blows kisses, and says "bye bye," a lot.  You sure are loved, little dude.