Snow Much Fun!

This January = snow, snow, snow!  It had been over 3 years since our last measurable snowfall in NC (December 2018), but this month made up for it with 4 separate snow events.  Leah and I returned to Sugar Mountain the Saturday after her birthday for a fun-filled day on the slopes trying out our new skis!    

This little girl is just so much fun.  We have the best time skiing together and it's a special way to enjoy the winter season and make the most of the cold weather!

Our first snowfall at home this month occurred on the last day of winter break.  This meant that Leah had a 2-hour delay on her birthday and it was a great way to kick off the 2022 school year: 

I love this pic of the kids in our neighborhood (and Luke towering over them)!

Back inside, we've been playing lots of games while snowed in.  We've had family Catan marathons, dealt numerous rounds of Five Crowns, and enjoyed lots of the board games that we received for Christmas.  Leah also got out her Twister game, and Millie joined in on the fun:

Right Hand/Paw Green! 

Giant Paper Airplanes for the snow day win!

Leah's world famous waffles are the perfect snow day breakfast.

Just a doodle in her dog bed snuggling with her stuffed animal.

We also made s'mores on the porch with our new City Bonfire Pit, which is a great winter alternative to our back yard (snow covered) fire pit:

Cozy and (somewhat) warm under the blankets.

Our next January storm brought snow and ice, and caused school to be shut down for a week.  Some of the children in our house were happier about the return to remote learning than others, but everyone was pleased that those learning days do not have to be tacked on to the end of the school year.  Millie was excited to play outside with her siblings, and the ice created amazing sledding conditions for days!

There was a third snowfall somewhere in the middle of the month, and all I have is another photo of a kid holding a sled in our front yard.  I run out to snap these photos when it snows and then come back inside to enjoy my quiet, warm house.  

Snow Days mean jigsaw puzzles for Mama!

One of the best things about snow days this year is that the kids are completely independent about donning/doffing their winter gear.  The days of us needing to help to bundle them up in coats/boots/mittens has passed, and this is a beautiful thing!

Last weekend, we continued our snowy fun as Leah & I visited Winterplace Ski Resort, WV for the first time:

We hit the slopes early and had the mountain to ourselves for most of the morning.  The lodge had cute West Virginia signage and we found ourselves humming "Take Me Home, Country Roads":

Mountain Mama's & Almost Heaven. 

Ski Lift Selfie.

Peanut certainly has a lot of personality skiing.  Here she is, racing down the mountain, and doing her "victory" pose.  She cracks me up!

One of the best parts of this winter weather is hot chocolate!  Leah's new travel thermos has been awesome for our ski days as we take our breaks in between runs:

The kids had an early dismissal on Friday in anticipation of yet another winter storm, but this time, we only got about an inch and the roads were clear.  It was mostly melted by the next day, and I confess that this is my favorite type of snow (as a fleeting visitor!):

As you can see, we're embracing the winter weather and have had snow much fun this January!

Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Leah!  Eleven years ago, this precious girl was born, and our lives have been immeasurably brighter ever since.  This girl is strong, she is fearless, she is kind and helpful, and everyone loves her.  Leah can be found playing football with the boys at recess, is the only girl in our neighborhood group of kids, and can hold her own in any athletic endeavor or sport.  I never, ever have to worry about her having friends, and she is always the one you want on your team for any competition.  There was a day recently that Leah observed some girl drama on the playground, and she stopped playing kickball to comfort a classmate who was being bullied.  Her teacher noticed this and asked Leah to serve as a mediator to the group of girls.  Leah shared some words of wisdom with the group (because she's always been an old soul) and intuitively solved the girls' problem.  She's well respected by her peers, was chosen by staff to be a school leader for Safety Patrol, and is a Student Council officer.  She's on the Colts Morning Show, participates on the Battle of the Books team, and loving her role of being the Big (Wo)Man on Campus as a 5th grader this year.  

Leah loves soccer, skiing, and reading.  She's tried (and enjoyed) field hockey this year, is always up for a travel adventure or new experience.  Leah's our picky eater, but will happily prepare food for herself.  She's responsible and self sufficient, takes care of Millie, gets herself ready each day, and remembers do her chores and practice piano (with an occasional reminder).  She's quick witted and funny, and is her Daddy's girl and my little sidekick.  Leah continues to be Luke's biggest fan.  She was so proud of him during marching band this year, and was excited to tag along to all of his musical performances.  (Going to Hawaii with your brother's band isn't a bad gig, either!).   

Leah continues to be an easy child (although I know the tween/teen years are coming), and she personifies joy.  She has a knack of making other people feel good, 

Leah will crack you up with a funny joke or sarcastic comment, and a moment later, she'll make you wide eyed in wonder with a thoughtful, perceptive observation.  Right now, Leah says that she wants to work with animals when she grows up, and I can see her being a vet or a teacher.  She adores Millie to pieces, and loves all things dog-related.  

Leah Grace,  I am so incredibly thankful that God chose Daddy and me to be your parents.  We are so excited to see what the future holds for you.  You are going to do BIG things with your life, and we love you so much and are so proud of you.  Happy, happy 11th birthday to our baby girl! 

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Leah's birthday happened to fall on the first day back to school after winter break, and after an unseasonably warm week of weather, it snowed.  This meant a 2 hour-delay, which was a great way to start the day!  I took donuts in for Leah's class, and she had a great birthday, filled with presents, phone calls from family, and lots of love and attention.  Here are some pictures from her birthday celebrations:

We rented the Spirit Rock at ORES & painted it as a surprise for our birthday girl!

We went from wearing shorts one day to snowfall the next.  Thankfully, our paint withstood the weather!

Waking up as an 11 year-old!

Just two girls, excited to open presents!

Puppy mug for her hot chocolate!

Birthday Fruit Tart = Perfect dessert for our fruit-loving girl!

Opening birthday presents at Mimi's house.

The sweetest birthday girl!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Here are photos from our 2021 Christmas celebrations:

Decorating cookies for Santa

Cookies were judged and prizes awarded in several categories.

Messy icing hands after making her "most festive" cookie.

This cute Santa won her student council election and is the new ORES Vice President!

Spotted: a Doodle under the Christmas tree.

A boy and his dog...

...or is it Santa and his reindeer?

Snuggled under a blanket solving a Rubik's cube. 

We celebrated Mimi and Gawa's first Christmas in NC, and Grandpa and Beanie traveled here to spend the holiday with us.  We had a yummy Christmas Eve dinner at Mimi's house and watched our livestream church service that afternoon:

Christmas Eve worship service: Teen Lounging Edition.

Family Trivial Pursuit on Christmas Eve.

Back at home, the kids set out cookies for Santa (and carrots for the reindeer): 

We read The Night Before Christmas:

Listening to Daddy read.

And (almost) everyone was nestled, all snug in their beds, waiting for Santa to come:

On Christmas morning, the kids set an alarm and waited patiently at the top of the steps until 7:00 a.m.:

Santa surprised Leah with Hamilton tickets!

He also brought Leah her own skis, poles, and boots.

Santa surprised Luke with a bass ukulele (U-Bass)!

Next we opened stockings and had breakfast:

Then it was time for presents:

Lego Fender Guitar.

"Bassist Dude"

Mimi's also going to Hamilton!

On Christmas weekend, the kids and I took Beanie to Korner's Folly.  This historic landmark in Kernersville was built in the late 1800's and was the home of local icon/designer Jule Korner.  It is an example of a classic, elegant Victorian style, but is also eclectic and unique, as it consists of 7 levels, multiple cubby holes and trap doors, and 15 fireplaces.  There is a theater that encompasses the entire top floor (and is believed to be the first private little theater in America), and the home still has 90% of its original furnishings, carved woodwork, and elaborate hand laid tile.  

Korner's Folly is decorated each year for the holidays, and each of the 22 rooms is filled with gorgeous, period appropriate Christmas decorations.  It was absolutely beautiful, and we loved touring this local gem:

Sunny breakfast room with one of the first sky lights in a private home.

Doorways and ceilings range from 5 1/2 feet to 25 feet in the Folly.

Another tiny doorway leads to the Children's Playroom.

Luke & Beanie in front of the trap door overlooking the dining room.

Master bedroom.

Cupid's Theater (top level of home).

Victorian design in parlor.

Another fun local adventure was Old Salem.  We drove through the historic Moravian village and posed in front of the covered bridge.  The Moravian Stars that hang from the inside of the bridge are a symbol of Advent and represent the Star of Bethlehem.  They are a popular Christmas decoration in our area  and the stars in Old Salem are stunning:

We also took Beanie for a hike at Cascades Preserve and played games:

After our NC Christmas festivities concluded, we traveled to Williamsburg to celebrate Cousins' Christmas!

We were able to have our party at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bob's clubhouse this year (after missing last year due to the pandemic), but several families were not able to attend due to COVID.  We set up a Zoom so that we could see those who were quarantining at home and the kids even exchanged/opened some cousin presents while on the zoom call:

Masked indoors and COVID tested, we were able to safely and responsibly gather and are so thankful that this year, we are all vaccinated.  It was fun-filled afternoon of games, Christmas Bingo, crafts, food, and presents:

Alexis and Leah.

Luke vs. Maya: Who is the tallest cousin?

Boys playing bocce ball.

Name that Christmas carol/movie:  Emoji Edition.

Christmas Bingo.

Christmas Bingo.

Kid Craft Table.

Back at Bean and Poppy's house, we exchanged gifts and had our birthday party for Baby Jesus.  We also celebrated Leah's upcoming birthday, and it's one of her favorite traditions each year to kick off her birthday festivities in Williamsburg with our Winterhoff family:

App State Hoodie to cheer on cousin Maya!

"Cousin" Hailey.

Dogs opening their presents.

Cousin gifts.

Bean and Poppy are going to Hamilton, too!

Our (almost) 11 year-old!

 

Birthday girl opening presents.

Sorting coins from Poppy's money jar.

We also walked through Colonial Williamsburg and the kids were just as excited about visiting the "jelly bean" store as they were years ago.  They may be bigger/older now, but are still so much fun and look forward to Christmas with child-like wonder and anticipation.  We are blessed to have had such special family celebrations this year, and we made some wonderful memories!