Teased By Spring

I did let the kids talk me into letting them drag their bikes out of storage; it is almost certain to snow again in the coming week!

 Only in the very early spring am I likely to have such willing help when I start yard work!

Back To The Beaver Ponds

It was a beautiful, sunny day, so we took a walk down to the beaver ponds to slide on the ice, and more importantly, to make a huge mess with cat tails. Wynn has been asking for cat tails for quite a while. (The boys had brought some to the house for her a while back, and she loved them, but Michael and I believe they are more fun left outside rather than floating around the house every time the fan kicks on.) The beaver ponds are only 1/2 mile away, but it was difficult walking - one of those crunchy walks where some steps, you stay on top of the frozen snow; some steps, you sink in a few inches; and some steps, you crash through a foot or more. Worth it, though. The kids (those who chose to come) had a blast, and Wynn has certainly never been sliding on ice before!

Woohoo! We made it!

The oh-so-soft pelt of the wily cattail.

Let the fluff fly - and no one is bringing one back to the house!

Freckle farming.  (Or is it age spot farming?)  Anyway, we haven't had any good sunshine in quite a while.

Annual Try To Look Presentable Day #? (I forget)

 Michael's holiday party corresponded with the local Chinese New Year celebrations.

I did say try to look presentable.

More Christmas

We had 20 people over the weekend (and 7 dogs).  At Christmas dinner, we had 18 people.  Even our table won't seat that many!  17 of those stayed the night, and in the morning, #18 returned for breakfast with us.  It was awesome.  (I do wonder where our cats went.)  :)

Christine and Carl Carney (right) with their 4 kids:  Travis, Matthew, Denise, and Lora (me).
And that led to this:

Chris and Carl's whole family!
Carrie, Travis,
Michael, Wynn, Ariana, Lora, Matthew
Eric, Denise, Amanda, Chris (with Cameron), Carl
Andrew, Conor
Gabrian

All of the girls - Wynn agreed to join.

All Nana's girls.

Oh my word - aren't they beautiful?!
Wynn and Auntie Denise.

All of the guys - Wynn insisted.  :)

Christmas, Summarized

A Christmas toast.
Wynn and Ariana

Gabrian with his present from Santa.

Wynn and Auntie

Ari, the red-horned reindeer.

The bag says, "Smile if you've been naughty."

Andrew

Wynn and Gabrian

Ariana

Amandrew

Gabrian

Cameron

Conor

Ari, Gabrian, Wynn, & Nana

The Brain and Matthew

Conor

Cameron

Christmas Concerts, x3

Because you can never have too much holiday cheer.

Carousel 2011

Sigh. So disappointed in the pictures. Carousel pictures are hard anyway with low light, orange light, and fast movement. Add to that the fact that our camera desperately needs to be sent for repairs (dropped and is not calibrated correctly and autofocus lens broken), and these pictures leave much to be desired. Still, the kids had a great time, and it's something that the whole family does together. I love that part!

Wynn & Ari

Conor and bandaged hand
(Crazy lady peeking out under his arm!)

Me, Ari, and Wynn.

Cameron, Conor, part of Gabrian, me, and Ari.
Love her smile!!

Cameron

Mandy and Ariana

Andrew
(De ge Doo-Doo)

Gabrian, the Green-eyed Goonie

Conor-man
(I'm not sure he likes to be called Angel Boy anymore - but he still is!)

Wynn, figuring it all out!

Cameron, Wynn, Gabrian

Cameron
The 'Spie doing his best to try to smile instead of grimace.  :)

Nice picture of Michael and Gabrian

More realistic picture of Michael and Gabrian.

Wynn
How is it that she does not know she's beautiful?
(OK.  I guess that's better than conceit, but look at her!)

Yes, Santa, we've been good . . . for the last half hour!