So, Nate's parents picked the coldest weather so far this year to come for a visit.  (Technically, they didn't really "pick" it, since they came out for Zach's baptism…)  They weren't sure they liked it this cold… so we bundled them up and took them outside so they could really enjoy themselves. We did have…

The kids typical rush to the window to see the grader plow the cul-de-sac; same scenario exists for the garbage/recycling trucks.  Amazing, the fascination after all these snowstorms (and garbage days!).  The fun often ends with some shoving to get the best view (since one of our windows is always foggy inside…)  

I cannot believe Zach is 8!  Time goes by so fast.  I always get nostalgic on birthdays about people growing up… and I must say that it gave me some comfort on the day before the big day to be creating something (a huge death star) out of tinfoil, just like I was making a…

And for the second year in a row… a star wars birthday party.  Zach was super excited to complete Jedi challenges with his friends… and although no one gets into it quite like Zach they had a good time and he enjoyed leading everyone on the quest to destroy the Death Star and playing Legos…

Don't know why I can't get this to show up straight, but I had to put it in here.  Nate is (unfortunately for the rest of us) done with his easy anesthesia rotation and is back to the longer (although more fun for him) hours of his own specialty.  Emma made this for him at…

Aside from adjusting to a normal schedule again, this is what we've been up to lately: A birthday party for "Honey" the dog (Emma goes all-out for birthdays, and we have since celebrated one for Woofy and another for Honey.  I guess you have to have something to look forward to after Christmas!) And Zach…

So far, a more successful try than our last one with the big boy bed… that lasted all of 3 days and I made Nate put the bars back on the crib.  It hasn't been perfect… with the advent of potty training he has learned that all he has to say to get out of…

The kids are really into the "best and worst" parts of their day (one more thing to delay bedtime is always a hit at our house.)  After a day like today, I couldn't resist sharing mine:   Worst:  a visiting teaching appointment at a spotless house full of glass things with a certain someone being…

We never made it to watching the Grinch before Christmas this year (mostly because it didn't come back to the library till just before Christmas Eve) so we watched it after.  And Carter spent the whole time right next to the TV making the funniest faces – he was alternately laughing and smiling and then…

4:00 – Get Emma ready to go out to skate.  Get skates on. 4:05 – Get Ellie for Emma.  Get Ellie's skates on. 4:10 – Ellie is "cold".  Bring Ellie in.  Emma keeps skating. 4:15 – I start to get ready to go out to join Emma.  Carter wants me to stay in. 4:20 –…