In The Cold of Winter

This was during that "cold snap" that left us trying to stay warm in sub-zero temps. When the clouds clear up and we get that beautiful sunshine in the afternoon, it is followed by a clear COLD night and by morning it was 15 below. Jan. 20, 2009.

More Winter Sun

Elayna had been enjoying playing in the sunshine, sliding down the slide and building castles with blocks underneath it. Jan. 19, 2009.

Katie's Baby Shower

Emmy and I went to Katie's baby shower on Sunday, Jan. 18. I still can't believe I didn't get any good belly pics! She glows. She looks really beautiful and like pregnancy agrees with her. Her baby girl is due next month!

Elayna's Turn

Last winter it was Emmy riding around on the back of the trike, but this year it is little Elayna. Josh likes to go fast and race around the kitchen and "spin out" with her on the back, and Laney thinks it's a blast! Sometimes Emmy will give her a ride, too, but then she gets stuck on something and can't get going again. I'm so thankful for things like hoppers and portable Step2 slides and tricycles. It helps us through the winter! Jan. 16, 2009.

The Slipcover

My $15 ebay slipcover is a great improvement on our overall living room ambiance! ha ha! Colby helped me get it on and fitted, and I really appreciated his help. I'm not good at looking at the lines and figuring out where all the seams are supposed to go! Jan. 16, 2009

Reading Time

Colby was reading to the kids Sunday morning! Looks like he was still only half-awake. Jan. 16, 2009.

Pictures of Me

Title says it all ;) Jan. 15, 2009.

Riding the Horsey

Riding the horsey while getting ready for bed, Jan. 14, 2009.

My Little Emmy

Some winter sun came in through the window and we enjoyed sitting by the window and soaking it up even though the temperatures outside still hovered near zero.

The Cold Barn

I try to do the barn chores in the afternoons when the kids are all napping. It's cold, hauling in buckets of water for the two horses that can't get to the heated trough. And sometimes I grumble about having to climb up to the hayloft and throw down more bales, but once I'm up there it's such a neat place, peaceful and full of childish adventure waiting to happen. Jan 13, 2009.

The Rocking Horse

Travis and Colby built this rocking horse for Elayna, and she loves it! She can really move on that thing now and enjoys it thoroughly! Jan. 5, 2009.

Trip to Indiana

We went to bed early on New Years' Eve and got up early in the morning to hop in the car and take a little road trip down to Grandma and Grandpa M's house! We had a nice, relaxing weekend and had a family Christmas on Sat. night. Jan. 1-3, 2009.

Colby's Birthday

He was not nearly as amused as I was by all the picture taking!! And for the record, there is a little bit of a delay between when you push the button on the phone and when the phone actually takes a picture... and now you can see the many faces of Colby! LOL!


We had a wonderful birthday celebration on the 30th for Colby's 31st birthday! I drove up to meet him at work and we went in to Petoskey to have dinner and then a movie. We didn't get home until after 10! We very rarely go out in the middle of the week, but it was so worth it to have a special day on his birthday. Dec. 30, 2008.