Warming up

The temperatures have moderated since last week and now we are well above 0 degrees. Two visitors to Yale Way suprised us a couple of days ago. Years ago a cow and her calves regularly visited the neighborhood. She was urban savy. Unfortunately I think she got hit out on Geist Road one winter and for a few years no moose have visited. Perhaps our new arrivals are her offspring.






Everytime I see moose I am impressed with their size.
















Warm temps means playing outside.











Must be warm out if Evie is only wearing here "light" snowsuit. Her "heavy" suit is a dark blue down snowsuit. She loves her boots.

What to do at -40 F

Last week was a cold one. I do not like to complain about the weather, after all I live in the subarctic but I have to admit that last week was a bit tiring. Every morning -40, -43, etc. Sure the temps rose during the day to -25 or -30 but those 6am wake ups at -43......



Here is Evie eating her morning jam.





What do you do when it is cold? Legos.

Please note lamb is participating.











We played in tents.














Hannah worked on her advanced lego creations. We also took care of all of her homemade valentine cards.













Evie still enjoys the bathroom sink.

Leader of the Pack

Hannah is the student of the month for her first grade class. Her name is in the newsletter and her portrait is up on the big bulletin board near the school office. The teacher nominates the student of the month and the criteria is a bit vague, something along the lines of a student who is a role model. Ms. Leonard wishes she had a classroom full of Hannahs.

Hannah's reading skills are growing every day. Not only is she reaping the benefits but so is Evelyn. This is a big help since Evelyn likes to read the same book several times in a row.

More reading and thumb sucking.

Holiday Pics

Preparing for the big day. Evelyn helps decorate a cookie with liberal doses of sprinkles.














Hannah's controlled and organized decorating. Classic seven year old.

The tree and the booty on Christmas morning. We were up at 6am.

Opening!

Hannah gives her Christmas gift to Evelyn. A new book "wheels on the bus". Evie loves it of course.

Thank you uncle Tom for the musical Bongo drum. Please look at Robin's feet! He is wearing his new felted slipper I made for him. What a good husband.

Ba Ba Lamb Takes a Bath

Ah, Evelyn discovers that her favorite stuffed animal, "Ba ba Lamb", is getting a bath today. Methinks she's not going to take this very well.

And the anticipated result. Poor Evie! Apparently, pink bunny just doesn't cut it.

Hannah's 7th Birthday

Hannah woke up Saturday December 15 to find herself 7 years old (well, technically it wasn't until 1:19 pm, which her dad reminded her of all day long!). She opened up her cards and presents from family as soon as she got up.
Ah yes, look who's quick to show up. She's like a prairie dog poking her head up out of a hole sometimes. Pop! There she is! Wherever there's something going on, you can be sure that Ev will soon make an appearance, especially when her big sister is involved.



While Hannah is busy, Evelyn is planning her next move. Note that she is rarely without her "Ba ba lamb".

How does she always end up on the table???
Hannah in her new inline roller skates, her present from Mom and Dad. She's so far worn them every morning and afternoon around the house.


The next day, Sunday, we had Hannah's kid party at Hamme Pool, where she takes her swimming lessons. All the kids and most of the adults went swimming, and daddy came late with Evelyn after she woke up from her nap. The two of them joined the others swimming for a little while, until Ev started getting cold.

Hannah doesn't really like regular cake with frosting (she says the frosting is just too sweet - the little weirdo!). So, Mary Ann made a bunch of brownies and everybody enjoyed sundaes with ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped cream, instead. There were no complaints!


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Daddy was on Evie duty ... a full time job.

A gaggle of girls (and, oh yeah, and couple of boys, too)!

Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House competition 2007 occurred last Saturday. Hannah, Robin and I worked diligently on a rocket ship. The theme was "Mars Rovers gets visit from Santa". We worked on the project when Evelyn was asleep. She is too much of a trouble maker to be involved in gingerbread creations.










Evelyn views the finished project after the competition. Notice how she has climbed up on the chair. This is her newest trick along with climbing up on the table. Naughty girl. She has a nice bruise above her eye from a fall from the chair a few days ago. This one will have us in the emergency room....