SNOW!

We got our first taste of snow and it's not even officially winter yet! It was only a couple of inches, but the kids were so exited to play in it after church today.

Jacob's snow suit makes me laugh! It is the same one that I wore when I was younger and I hated it because it wasn't girly enough for me. I'm glad that my parents hung on to it though because it is perfect for Jacob!

Ellie thinks it is funny to pretend to throw a snowball at me whenever I take her picture!

Usborne Regionals

Janine and I made a very harried trip to Kentucky today to attend our first Usborne Regional Convention. It wouldn't have been a bad drive except that we got 6 inches of snow last night. We could not be deterred though, so we left extra early and took our time. It was a little scary when a lady spun out on the highway right in front of us, but amazingly, she slid around and behind our car, so we continued on our merry way without incident.

The hotel where convention was being held was like stepping back in time. It's called "The Drawbridge Inn" and was decorated with armor, weapons, and other things from the Renaissance time period. The convention was really great. We got to meet some new people, and learned a few things to help us grow our businesses. After convention, we went to dinner at Montgomery Inn with our supervisor, Sherry, and her daughter, Jessica. My sister, Katie, who lives in Cincy and my brother Andy, and his fiance, drove across the river to eat with us too.

To help deter grafitti in the bathrooms at the hotel where convention was held, they had chalkboards hung on the wall of each stall. Janine left me a note in the bottom corner.

Here Fishy, Fishy!

We took the kids to the Newport Aquarium today. It is nice to go in February because the kids get in for free with a paying adult. We met our friends, Todd and Janine, there, along with their kiddos, Sophia and Wesley. The kids had a blast exploring and the adults had some good conversation as well. Our visits to Newport are always topped off with pizza from Dewey's. My sister, Katie, met us, since she works just across the river in Cincinnati. My brother, Andy, is stationed at a base in Blue Ash, so he drove down to meet us as well. We had to send Nathan out to the parking lot to meet him because Andy rarely has cash on him and didn't have money to pay for parking. It was a most memorable day!
Jacob touching a shark Nathan feeding the birds Jacob and Wesley swimming with the jellyfish Nathan and Todd show the kids how to play "Frogger" Ellie Jacob Alligator Touching horseshoe crabs and other sea creatures

Watching them make our pizza at Dewey's

Air Force Museum

There's no better way to spend a dreary winter day than at the National Museum of the USAF. We had a great time there looking at the different planes and the best part...it's FREE!

Jacob

Ellie

EmmalinePilot and Co-pilot

This is what I get when I ask them to smile!

S-N-O-W!

The past two days, we have gotten a lot of snow. It has been exciting for the kids to get some days off school (yes, even though we homeschool, we do observe snowdays!), and I love hearing their laughter as they sled down our driveway.

Jacob helped shovel the driveway

Mommy and her oldest two kiddos

Look, ma! No hands!

Tubing with Mimi

I love how Jacob is trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue while sledding

New Year's Eve

To ring in the new year, we celebrated with my sister by watching movies and eating lots of yummy food. After the kids went to bed, Katie and I took turns falling asleep on the couch until it was time to watch the ball drop in Time Square. When did midnight get to be so late?!

The kids wore their "I love NY" shirts to mark the occasion

Yummy english muffin pizzas and homemade salsa (compliments of my new food processor)

Peppermint Ice Cream Sundaes

Happy New Year

Snow Day!!!

Yesterday we got a couple inches of snow. Today, we got several inches of ice and then 10 more inches of snow! Jacob even got to have a 'Snow Day' from school. I had to explain the concept to him...poor homeschooled kid didn't realize the value of it. Once he found out what it was though, he went cheering through the house. When Emmaline took a nap, Jacob and Ellie played outside with Nathan. They had a good time, but it was pretty chilly, so they didn't stay out long.

Emmaline - Our Little Eskimo

Trying out their new shovels and NOT dressed for the weather
(I thought they had let the dog out but found them outside shoveling a path across the backyard)

Our icy driveway was perfect for tubing

My Blue-eyed Boy

Snow Day!

It didn't snow much today, but the kids still had a blast! We met my sister, Dee, and nephew, Colton, at Mom and Dad's for lunch (yummy grilled cheese and tomato soup). Then, we hit the slopes with the kids. It was more of a small incline in the backyard, but it was enough for the kids to tube down. They made snowballs, played in the fort, and outlasted all the adults in the cold. Afterwards, we all enjoyed homemade hot chocolate (thanks Mom!).

Ellie gets kisses from Papaw

Jacob

Emmaline thought it was funny to drop the tinker toy pieces down the heating vent.
She had amassed quite the collection when they opened it up.

Jacob does some tubing

One Sweet Girl and Two Silly Boys

Colton and Ellie

In the Fort

Climbing the Ladder

My Snow Angel

Another Snowman...

The weather is warming up slightly so the snow is beginning to melt. There is still plenty in the backyard though, so the kids built another snowman with Daddy today. They had a lot of fun jumping in the piles, throwing snowballs at each other, and chasing the dog. Hopefully, this is the last snow until next winter, but I'm glad the kids are still enjoying it.

Paige loves the snow!

Gabrielle

Jacob on the move

Emmaline opted to play on the kitchen floor while I made dinner