Catch-Up Continued

In January we continued to have fun with family in town.  Grace likes sweets...so I couldn't help but encourage the sugar overload, even if it didn't help with the "new year weight loss" ideas I had.  We made red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and cream puffs (among other things).  They were all soooo good!!

Mara got a little thirsty and turned vampire on us, but she's back to normal now :) 

The red velvet cupcakes were especially for Daniel and Ashley's return since they are her favorite cake...though we are not Alabamian nor do we make it as good as grandma(granny?)....but, she still smiled and licked her lips :)  

While they were here, the kids had dance parties and had a blast hanging out together.  

During another trip they exercised together.  I tell you, these kids know how to bond :)

The first part of the year brought an awesome snowfall.  Levi was napping so I decided to shovel the driveway while Mara romped happily in the snow. 

It was pretty deep and she eventually ended up in a ball of tears when she fell down in waist deep snow, lost her glove, and realized how cold she was.

 Ian took a few more business trips in January.

During one of the flights he was able to get a picture of the nasty inversion that kept us all in stuffy heads and drippy noses for the better part of the month.

Staying inside wasn't always fun, but we made the most of it. 

 Levi discovered the best way to watch Sesame Street.

Mara spent much of the time teasing her brother.  Here she put the step stools (which he needed to climb onto the couch) on the back of the couch, intensifying his distress. 

On one day she begged and begged to go outside.  She put all her jewelry on and then retrieved her boots from the garage and told me she was ready.  How could I say no!?  So I let her walk around on the 4x4 deck until she got cold.  It was a perfect solution and totally satisfied her.

January ended with another good snow storm and the kids and I played while Ian shoveled.  The snow piles were awesomely high and the kids made the pictures of it much more exciting.  

And just before going inside we made snow angels.  Just about the only thing I like to do in the snow.  I blame my brothers' many, many, whitewashes for solidifying my dislike of truly playing in the snow :) I guess with young kids, I'm going to have to get over it, at least for a little while, and January gave me plenty of opportunity!