a midwinter day

We awoke this morning to a fresh layer of snow...

waterworks

While in Rochester, we went swimming at a hotel near Grandpa and Grandma's house. In addition to the main pool having a huge water slide (once Logan tried it, he couldn't get enough), there was also a second shallow pool that was perfect for Owen.

rochester xmas

After getting snowed out in December, we finally made it to Rochester for belated holiday festivities. Our time was spent opening presents, playing games, and eating our weight in Christmas cookies.

Logan laughs at Grandpa's new hat.

Owen and Logan show off their Gears! Gears! Gears! creation.



Owen was excited to receive the green rubber snake he picked out at the Lake Superior Zoo.



Grandma liked the pot holder the boys weaved for her.



Logan and Great Grandma played a game of Blokus.



Owen tries out his new polar bear rug.



Ally and Owen share the bear.

jimmy's boa

Owen recently rediscovered this book so we've been reading it a lot lately. Note the "bed" that he devised for his snake, complete with nameplate, just like at the end of the book.

chess

Logan's had a renewed interest in chess as of late so we dusted off the old board and have been playing quite a bit. He taught Owen where the pieces line up and how they move so it's fun to help them play each other. Lowell Elementary just started an after school chess club. Logan got signed up and he's has been having fun playing against different people and learning more about the game.

monkey joe's

A Monkey Joe's franchise opened up in Appleton so the boys burned off their christmas cookie energy by playing non-stop on a bunch of giant inflatable stuff. After a couple of hours, we were finally able to drag them away.

wisconsin xmas

The weather cooperated and we were able to make the voyage to Appleton for Christmas and New Year's celebrations. The boys enjoyed playing with their cousins, wrestling with Uncle Trevor, building things with their new Legos, and throwing confetti everywhere to ring in 2010.

tracy's latest project

Tracy and the boys dug into her roving stash to make these felted balls for Christmas presents. We hope Gabriel and Jonah have as much fun playing with them as we had making them.