Winter Continues..

Over the past two weeks we have received more and more and more snow! Luckily last week JD had school vacation or he may have had a few more make up days that would have to be tacked on to the end of the year. In fact its snowing right now and we are supposed to have about eight inches dropped on us tonight!

Last weekend was much like this weekend. We spent quite a bit of time sledding and skiing. Adam, you are still a bit miffed at the idea of racing down the hill at quick speeds, but JD is consistently going up and down. Last weekend Mom took JD to Powder Hill for some more ski lessons. Adam, you and I watched as JD maneuvered his way down the hill. He spent some time on his bum but was determined to stay up, and did a great job in the end!

While JD and Mom were on the skiing hill, Adam and I spent much of the time on a small sledding hill. Adam, you have become very inquisitive over the past few months. You want to explore and investigate everything you can. On this day there was a sign on our little hill and
you wanted to make your way up to the sign to "Read it." Anytime you see letters you get excited and yell, "D!" You think all letters are the letter "D!" I don't remember exactly what this sign actually said but you were happy to see all of the D's lined up! As JD finished skiing he made his way over to our hill and joined us and Mom took another five or six ski runs before she called it quits.

When we got home there was a nice message on the answering machine from Gavin's mom wondering if JD wanted to come over to play for a bit. This was good timing for mom and I as it was also Addie's nap time! We called back and couldn't reach Gav's parents but right away we got another call from Owen's mom and off went JD! Adam had a good 3.5 hour nap and Mom and I actually got to watch a movie and have some wine! We haven't done that during the day in forever. It was nice to have been able to spend some unexpected quite time together!

Later in the evening after the three of us had dinner, I went out and dug a hole in the snow to make a fire. Adam and Mom joined me around the fire and JD upon his return home. We had a big one going and we were all nice and cozy sitting out there. Adam, you pointed out the moon and the stars (MANY times) and Mom and JD spent time looking at constollations. We have made quite a few fires over the winter months and all sleep very well after taking in the fresh air.

Adam, you have been enjoying your puzzles lately. Mom has spent some time with you during the day showing you how to put them together and you've been catching on very well. You mostly enjoy the puzzles with the small handles, but today you conquered a big one. Its hard to find you around the house without a smile on. You are already turning into the life of the party. You often encourage JD to follow you upstairs to play on his bed. Here you both wrestle, play music on JD's radio, and often look at books together. With the addition of Brick here recently, he has been joining you both.

JD, during your vacation you spent 3 days with Gavin and two days with Owen. Mom kept you very busy all week with activities. You both spent a lot of time painting, playing board games, and were outside quite a bit. I also let you stay up late each night and we watched some cool shows and movies together. As the vacation came to an end you said that you didn't want to go back to school, and when I asked why, you said, "Because my family is at home."

This weekend was much of the same. Snow, sledding, games, ect. On Saturday we met Chad and Caden at the hill and spent a good two hours going up and down. On this day, we saw the best sledding of the year. Not too icy or too powdery. Caden allowed JD to use her sled that looked just like a jet ski! JD, you must have gone down fifteen times! Mom and I also took some nice runs down, and Chad and Caden got a face full of snow on their maiden voyage!

After sledding we had Chad and Caden back for some sushi and a couple glasses of giggle soup. Chad and Ashley came later for dinner and Chris and Tara stopped by later in the evening. JD, Adam, and Caden spent most of their time in the playroom and in Adams pop up bus. The three of you drove the bus all the way around the house a few times! Adam, you were nice enough on this night to arrive in the center of the room with some of Mom's feminine products for everyone to see! As you can imagine we all got a good laugh about that. You also spent some time wrestling with Chad F and Chris. Kids always seem to take to Chris, maybe because he has more toys than most kids? After wrestling with the boys it was time for bed and the adults were able to spent some time together.

Sunday morning brought some nice 40 degree weather. We got out and enjoyed almost the whole morning outside. There was plenty of snow left on the ground but the street and driveway were clear. This allowed Adam to take out his bike and ride around and JD had a great time sledding down the very small hill across the street. JD, while you were sledding you would jump on the sled from the snowbank to the actual street. You landed successfully many times but this nasty picture shows that the last time you tried, you weren't so successful.

JD, yesterday in school you lost your first tooth! It had been loose for a while and we talked about tying it to a remote control car just like we saw on TV, but it fell right out at school (not prompted by the sledding fall!) You were so happy to show mom and I and the tooth fairy didn't disappoint last night!

Powder Hill

Today is Valentines Day! JD, you had cookies and cupcakes at school and you and Mom picked out Spiderman Valentines to give all of your classmates. Once again you had a snow day yesterday so it left plenty of time to address all of your cards. Mom had the list of kids in your class and you wrote ALL of their names down very carefully before placing them in envelopes. Mom said you concentrated so hard as you wrote everyone's name! You also received many valentine's from your friends at school and on the bus! Mom got both you and Adam a special Valentine package with cars, pencils and cards. The cards were a big hit. Adam got animal and automobile flash cards and JD got informational cards on dinosaurs and outer space! Pretty cool stuff! We also sent Mom flowers from the three of us and the two "barkers." She has been taking such good care of everyone and it was important to recognize her on this wacky day.

Adam, you are becoming much more self sufficient as of late. We put some snacks at your height level in the kitchen and as long as you ask and we say, "Yes" you can go in and grab what you want. EVERY time ask for something for yourself you ask for that same snack for JD. Each time you come out of the kitchen you are holding two snacks, one for you and one for JD. I have been meaning to mention this for a while now.

Last Friday I went out with the two Chad’s and Chris. We have been getting together after work about once a week for a while now. On this night I met former Celtic Great, Jo Jo White! It was so cool! He played back in the 70's and my dad mentions his name sometimes. He was at a bar promoting the Celtics and he stayed to watch the game. I went over to him and told him that my Dad mentions his name when we talk about the older Celtics, and I got my picture taken with him!

The next morning once again there was more snow on the ground. After a slow start of playing in the playroom and watching music and funny stuff on You Tube, it was time for Adam to take a nap. JD, you and I spent about two hours at the sledding hill, while mom got caught up on some stuff at home.

In the afternoon we got ready for some dinner guests. Leana, Adam and their little girl, Marin came over for some chicken, fish and veggies. Marin is Adam's age and very cute. She was shy at first, but loosened up quickly. Leana and Mom have been spending a lot of time together during the week and it was nice for me to finally meet her whole family. We had some great conversation and plan on meeting up again soon for dinner.

Sunday morning brought some more sledding but this time Adam and Mom came along for the trip. We arrived at the hill early, about 9:30. We wanted to get there before most people because the day before JD took a major header off one of the jumps. I told you JD, that if we got there before other people we could practice the jump with out much interruption. This was one of the most relaxing and fun sledding trips we have had. JD and I went over the jump many times and Mom zoomed down a few times too. Adam, you were enamored with a few giant snowballs that looked to be an abandoned snow fort. At one point we all had a pretty serious snowball fight started by none other than you, Ad! You socked Mom with a ball and than Mom socked me and it was a free for all after that! JD you used the big orange sled for a shield, good thinking! We must have stayed here about two hours until Adam got a bit restless.

We go sledding at Powder Hill right down the street and right next to the sledding hill is a ski hill complete with a tow rope and everything! I think it is so cool! It is heated by a wood stove and there is a small snack shack where you can sit inside and have hot chocolate. Mom decided in the afternoon that she would take JD for his first "Real" ski experience. JD, you started close to the bottom of the hill and worked your way all the way up to the top. Mom only helped you in the beginning and before she knew it you were off! You and Mom were at the hill for four hours! We all know that Adam enjoys his sleep and was conked out for three of these hours which meant relaxing time for me! I haven't had time to just chill out for a few hours in a long time. JD, you came home with a new helmet and an interest in a new sport! I am hoping you both take advantage of this place down the street a few more times this year!

Birthday, Beach, and Fire

Adam's birthday was celebrated with the family on this past Saturday. Grandma and Grampa, Grandie and Pop, Meg, Greg, Dave, and Livy came up to celebrate with us. Everyone arrived at noon on this day and Adam was ready to open his gifts right away. Adam, the theme your birthday on this year has been buses. You just love buses. Auntie Meg and her family got you a remote control bus that is easy for little guys like you to drive! You have been playing with this bus ever since the party, I have too! You also got two cars that race each other. You have let JD play this game with you, and you have both done a good job at making sure the cars start to race at the same time by saying, "Ready, set go!"

This was a very relaxing, nice day. JD and I picked out a Hotwheels cake for you, and you immidiatley yelled, "Cars cake, cars cake!" You got a finger in the cake before we were able to cut it! You enjoyed everyone singing Happy Birthday very much. You knew just who we were all singing for. Later in the day we called Nana and Grampie B on the webcam and they sang to you also! Grampie B is still recovering from hip surgery so they were not mobile this weekend.

It was great fun to watch you and JD play with your cousins. You played inside your bus tent, played upstairs in JD's room, and spent quite a while in your playroom. Meg and her family stayed until about 7:30 and we ended up having quite a few laughs throughout the day. I have always said that Meg is one of the funniest people I know as well as a great story teller. I also got some quality time with David and Livy. Livy and I always manage to find some one on one time together, and this weekend I got to hook up with Dave for a while too. Toward the end of the night we put in a movie for the kids and David came right over and hung out on my lap.

This was a great day for our family. Adam, this was one of the first family get-togethers we have had in a while where you weren't sick. It was nice to see you share your big smile with everyone. At one point you and Dave went off to play by yourselves in the other room, Probably foreshadowing of what is to come..

The next day wasn't just any Sunday, it was Super Bowl Sunday!! This year the Bowl was even more special than usual as the Pats where in it and playing the Giants. With a win in this game that Patriots could have solidified the best season in NFL history. But they lost. Quite the bust.

We started the day off at the beach. It wasn't too cold out, so we decided to take the dogs for a run in York at Long Sands. I don't know who had more fun, you kids, for the woofers. There were quite a few people and many dogs at the beach on this day.

Adam, when we arrived you were so excited to see the birds. As we pulled along the beach you kept yelling, "Birdie's, tweet, tweet!" We parked right near the steps and had an easy walk down to the water. It was high tide and both of the dogs ended up going into the water. Az naturally went all the way in after his tennis ball many times. Brick was a little more hesitant and only got his legs wet.

JD, as your throwing arm gets stronger you enjoy playing ball with Az even more. You can put some power behind your throws and spent a good amount of time throwing the ball into the water for both dogs to get. Adam you had a smile on the whole time. You had so much fun looking for the birds, and you went right to the edge of the water and said, "Fish?" You love looking at and talking about fish and you seemed pretty determined to find one on this morning!

Both of you found a "Stream" water and decided to play around it throwing rocks for a little while. Adam, I could tell that you were contemplating going into the shallow stream, and sure enough, in you went! We had to leave shortly after as your pants were soaked! Luckily we brought a change of clothes so you could warm up on the ride home. Nevertheless we were able to spend a few hours in the fresh cold air running around and playing. It was well worth the trip.

On the way back to the house it was time to stock up on Super Bowl food! We decided to stay home for the game and Mom made tons and tons of great snacks. She made, Mexican muffins, clam chowder, salsa, spinny dip, and some other stuff. I was stuffed by the time that the game started.

JD, you and I made a fire outside around 3:30. It was pretty chilly by this time of the day, but the fire kept us pretty warm. We had some really nice conversations around the fire on this afternoon. We were outside for almost two hours hanging out prior to the start of the game. At one point you dared me to run barefoot in the snow! I did! Then I dared you and you did it too. We kept our shoes off for a while after that and put them very close to the fire to warm em up!

Later we went inside to watch the game with Mom, Ad, and the dogs. The game was pretty good, but in the end it didn't work out well for hometown boys. I haven't read the sports section or listened to talk radio since they lost. I will probably give it another week or so.

Last night JD was invited to his buddy, Gavin's birthday party. His party was for family only, but they definately wanted you there! You met Gavin at pre-school in York well over a year ago, but you both still keep in touch. You even call each other on the phone. You both sound like teenaged girls when you chat on the phone. Talking about things non-stop. Its a pretty cool relationship, I'm glad you have kept in touch..