We hibernated indoors a lot.
Speaking of hibernation, Morgan's class went on a bear hunt in preschool.
Taylor made the best of our crazy winter by preparing herself for warmer days.
I broke out my tripod and experimented with some self portraits.
Despite what that image may imply, I have a little secret for you. I actually loved this winter. It's funny because I used to hate winter. I'd dread it. I'd get so stir crazy and so sick of being cold. I'd get grumpy and lethargic. But that has started to change the last few winters. I now welcome the slower pace that winter brings. I relish in the increased time my family spends indoors under the same roof. I rejoiced vicariously through the children when morning after morning they were told "no school today!" This happened NINE times this year!
And most recently, I've learned to embrace the purity I can capture in snowy images.
Charlie is definitely a homebody and enjoys staying home, but he needs to burn off some of his energy. That is why we signed him up for indoor soccer all winter long.
We also joined a YMCA that is much closer to home and have taken advantage of their open swim times.
Still, for the most part we've been hibernating.
With all the sub zero temperatures we really haven't played outside much this winter. When we did the children engaged in the most considerate snowball fight I've ever witnessed.
fdfd
Once again, our snowman making skills were lacking. At least we had Charlie's snazzy snowman kit to dress him up.
They named him Ice Stone.
Taylor asked that we face him the other way so she could see him from her bedroom.
Morgan gave him one thumbs up.
Morgan came to the kids' school Valentine parties.
I got them each a little Valentine gift with which they were thrilled.
It snowed a bunch on Valentine's day. Taylor humored me with a few more snowy photos.
Taylor and Morgan have been busy baking. I think they just like any excuse to lick batter.
We took the kids to an indoor place with inflatable jumpy houses.
Taylor surprised me (and herself) with her hula hoop skills.
The girl's got skills. She was doing it on her knees at one point!
Meanwhile, Morgan surprised me with her bravery.
Speaking of Morgan, we went on a field trip with her preschool to a donut shop.
It was very hands-on.
Of course her favorite part was eating a donut at the end.
The whole family including Grandma came to watch Taylor's last cheerleading game.
Grandpa from KY came to spend time with the kids. He took them to see the Lego Movie.
"Everything is awesome..."
The cousins have been spending lots of time together, as usual.
A new fad with the big girls is chinese jump rope.
This little one learned a new game.
I love this photo because it shows the kids sitting together but each was doing their own thing.
Charlie brought home a cookie cookbook from the school library and asked if we could make some.
They turned out great!
Taylor tried on my wedding veil to wear with her First Communion dress. I almost cried.
Morgan has playing with playdoh a LOT. The amazing thing is that she can clean it up completely on her own.
She posed for a few quick shots while I was setting up the studio with some high key lighting.
We started feeding the birds.
This is a shot I that I was experimenting with a slow shutter speed. I call this one "Cabin Fever"
This one was from my workshop. It's called "Hope".
In my workshop, we were encouraged to make a bucket list of shots we'd like to capture. I decided to focus on many of my children's habits and quirks. This is a big one for Taylor. The girl loves going into my closet and wearing my shoes. The clonk clonk of her walking around in my shoes has become a constant in our house.
We did have a semi-warm day last week and took advantage by playing outside.
I will say, it got me excited for spring.
Charlie has become interested in baseball cards. We decided to design a soccer card for him. Here he is distributing free cards at his grandma's birthday celebration.
This photo was taken this morning. It was another one on my bucket list.
Phew. That may have been the longest time elapsed between posts. Sorry about that, folks. Here's hoping the next one comes before summer ;)
