And then there was ice...

The ice storm we had a few weeks ago was crazy.  The ice was thick on all the tree branches - causing everything to bend.

These are the arborvitae in our backyard.  I dislike them immensely and was not sad to see half of them bent over.

A flowering berry tree that usually stands above the fence line.

A frozen left over berry.

A branch that had fallen on our shed.

My rhododendrons looking a little sad.

Our neighbor's tree.  She ended up losing it and now there is just a small stump.  You can't see them, but hiding under the branches are her trashcans.

Another neighbor's tree.  See the giant bare spot in the middle?

It is because all of the branches are on the ground.

The kids and I played in the snow in our front yard the day I took these pictures - and it was loud.  You could hear all of the snow falling and limbs breaking off of trees on the hill behind our house.

Chillin'

During the Snow week - our power went out. On Wednesday, it began to rain and later that night began to snow again - creating large amounts of ice. Our power went out Wednesday night around 8 and stayed out until about 5PM on Thursday. We were one of the lucky ones - we know friends who were without power for 6 days.

The kids were cold - it was 60 degrees in our house - and bundled up under blankets drinking tea that Daddy had made in his JetBoil.  (Best invention ever - you all should buy one.  Heats water in about a minute).  We went out and bought some logs for our wood stove and tried to keep the house slightly warm.  We were glad the power came back on - but were having fun with our adventure.

Playing in Snow

From Mid January, 2012
 For those that don't know - the Seattle area was hit with a large for us snow storm in mid -January.  At our house we got 5 inches.

The kids and I had a blast playing in the snow.  We would get bundled up at minimum twice a day and play outside.  We had snow for about a week - which was a lot of fun.   All of these pictures are from one of the first days of snow.  We got more later in the week.

Selah's outfit.  Someone gave us this circa 1980's snowsuit.  It makes her look ginormous.  She doesn't own snowboots, so she wore her pink rainboots.  I also love the navy hat and purple gloves.  It is quite the style.

Making snow angels.

I made this snowman and then they let it stand long enough for me to take a picture.  It was then knocked to the ground.

Eating snow.

I think it was Selah's favorite part.

Throwing snowballs at the fence.

A New Scarf

Selah has been very into scarves lately.  She won't leave the house without one on.   She had been stealing one of mine and it was ridiculously large - so I knit her this child sized one.

(her don't take a picture of me face)

It would have only taken me about an hour to knit - if I hadn't chosen to unravel it twice.

She loves it and says "I cu!"  (I cute!)

Fall Soccer

From early November, 2011


Ephraim played soccer again this fall.  He had a blast.  There is such an improvement in skill level and comprehension of the game from the 2 year olds to the 3-4 league.

Ephraim had a hour of practice on Tuesdays and games on Saturdays.  It broke up the week perfectly.  I only brought my camera to the last game - and I took a bunch.

Ephraim and his buddies kicking the ball before the game.

Pre game face.

More practicing.

In the game.

There is a huge herd mentality at this age - but at least they get that they are supposed to kick it in the goal, no hands, etc.

Running.

Switching directions.

Kicking the ball.

Go!

Go!

More of the herd.

Downside of last game - giant mud pits.

Watching his friends fall into the mud.

Trying to get the ball.

Watching the game.

Trying to stay out of trouble.

Stinker.

Running through the tunnel at the end of the game.

Ephraim had a lot of fun playing soccer, made some new friends and improved.  Hopefully he will have even more fun next fall!  Selah will get to play soccer next fall too - so that should make things really interesting.

Small Spaces

from mid October, 2011
 I think these pictures could speak for themselves, but they also say:

*My children don't like to wear clothes

*They like to squeeze into small spaces

*They break things (No doors on their play kitchen)

*They are approximately the same size

*I have a hard time putting away clean laundry

*They like each other

*Selah is a climber

*A sitter

*and a relaxer.