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 This is Zach and our neighbor after school, playing outside until the sun sets, taken by me from my warm viewing area inside the house.  He wears his snow gear to and from school, so it is near-impossible to get him to come in with the rest of us after picking him up from the bus stop.  I guess it just proves that if you're dressed right, there's no reason why you can't enjoy the winter!
 

Here we are, happy to have been part of a top 10 blizzard in Rochester history.  There was only about 16 inches, but the wind made drifts taller than Nate that our snowblower was (unfortunately) no match for.  The kids loved the "fortresses" behind the big drifts; including Carter, who couldn't walk through the deep snow but would stand there and cry "fortress!" until you took him there.  Of everyone, he was the most sad to have to come inside.      
      

 Everyone's favorite thing lately:  to stand at the back door while dad shovels until he throws snow at the door.  They never get tired of it.  And sometimes, Zach will do it for the other two.  Just like dad. 
 

 Emma and her little friend, aren't they beautiful?  I love how 4 year olds apply lip gloss.  Priceless.  

 See if you can guess who's been playing with the dollhouse most lately?  
This funny little guy's favorite thing is to put stuff (cars, little people, airplanes) through the door.  Over and over again.  (Also he likes to hide back there when he needs his diaper changed or is supposed to be going to bed.  He's not dumb.)  

 The tree is up, Christmas music on in the kitchen, making lists for Santa; and what did we do today?  
Play catch, draw with chalk, play hopscotch, ride bikes.  IT WAS 54 DEGREES AND WE WERE LOVING IT!!!  There are plenty of days left until Christmas to do Christmas-y things, and only one day of this weather.  

Things to note from our decorating this year:  
We put the lights up 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, because the weather was so nice and we knew what was coming after 3 winters here.  (Don't worry, we still didn't turn them on until the 27th.)

Our Christmas tree looks smaller every year.  Before it is decorated, it sure looks sad… this year Nate seemed to dwarf the poor tree.  

When we plugged in our tree lights to check them before stringing them on the tree, NONE of them worked.  0 for 5.  And some of them were new last year!  Unbelievable.  

Carter LOVED the glitter ornaments. Kissed them all night.  His little face was covered in glitter.  

As always, everybody loved to lay under the tree and look up at the lights.  Getting ready for Christmas is so much fun!
 

 This thanksgiving was one of the best I can remember… due mainly to the fact that I had to give a RS lesson on gratitude and came across this that has literally changed my perspective and, in turn, my life.  (Does that sound crazy?  It is true!)  My entire month was better and my life happier as I was able to open my eyes to the countless reasons I have to be grateful.  Of course, family, friends, and pie are on the list.  It was a wonderful season and a delicious day!     

 Tonite the kids wanted to put on a play.  They were a sea turtle (Zach), a dolphin (Carter), and a fish (Emma).  Zach got them all dressed like their character and they swam and danced and Carter got right into the spinning that the dolphin was supposed to do.   They put it on for me several times, always winning lots of applause and always taking a bow.  Best [and only!] play I've been to in years!

Okay, it's from jury duty… so don't worry, I didn't give up my favorite  job for one that pays.  And it's certainly not a big one.  But I AM going to spend it!