What's a winter with no snow?

Heaven.

Unless you got a new sled for Christmas.  Then it's the pits.  Luckily for my little troops we had some decent snow a little while back and on a Saturday too!  Jeff got them all bundled up first thing in the morning and took the 3 older ones sledding.  I stayed home with the baby and lamented the end of 50+ degree January days.

Life Update

Because I know you all wait with baited breath to find out what's going on in my life. ;)

We're closing on our house next week.  Yippee!!  But-we're still waiting for a date on both signings. Boo!  But-it's next week sometime.  The house looks like a big disaster thanks to all the boxes.  An even bigger (and much less sarcastic) thanks to my man for packing them.  He noted the other night that he would be single-handedly moving us because his wife can't manage to put down that sweet little monkey long enough to help pack a box.  Secretly, I think he's proud of the fact that he's done it all. Shhh...don't tell...

See why I can't put her down?  She's so squishy and cute and snugly!

I, unlike lots of other people, am loving all the snow.  Of course it helps that my kids are off track and I have a new baby and therefore am home bound.  I can snuggle my babe and look out my big windows from my couch at all that beautiful white stuff.  No bundling the kids up for school (which is good because most our winter wear is packed up and buried in storage). 

Other than being a little tired, my post baby self is feeling pretty darn good.  I'm happy.  I have energy.  I can button up my jeans.   Actually-I could button up my jeans 2 days after being home from the hospital.  And guess what?  I'm not one bit sorry and am quite pleased with it.  This is my 4th baby.  I would've thought my recovery would've been longer and a little harder than it's been especially with the added stress of selling our home, buying a new one, getting 6 people ready to move (oh wait-we've already established that as the man's job) and the holidays-Thanksgiving, Black Friday (what?  you don't consider that a holiday?) and Christmas.  By the time the new year rolls around, you may be finding me lying on a couch weeping to a therapist, though ;)

And speaking of the great holiday (at least in my opinion) called Black Friday-I definitely had a successful one!  I went with Cami and her mom and cousin.  Cami was a rookie.  She wanted to go to Toys 'r Us.  Me, being the more experienced Black Friday-er should've warned her of the horror that store can be, but I had only heard the stories.  I guess I wanted to see that particular brand of madness first hand.  Never. Again. The finding what you want part was just fine.  It was the line that would put Splash mtn's on the busiest hottest day at Disneyland to shame. Thankfully Cami decided it wasn't worth it and we left.  She was rewarded by finding the same item for the same price at walmart without having to ad-match.  We had lots of good fun at both the Payson and Springville WalMarts.  I was thrilled to come home with everything on my must-get list, everything on my it'd-be-nice-but-I-don't-stand-a-chance list and a few other fun things as well.  I think we put in a solid 12 hours of shopping.  Still not quite ready for Christmas, but I'm getting there.  Fortunately I can do almost everything else online.

April Fools

April?

You could've fooled me....

Snow much fun!

I have been CRAVING sunshine and warm temps. I don't think it's been any secret. This morning McKay begged me to get the snow stuff out, and since I've been in and out of the attic all day putting Christmas away, I decided now was as good of time as any. I am always amazed at how pleasant playing outside in winter can be when properly bundled. :) Last year I bought my first pair of snow boots since I was a kid and my parents found Jeff and I some really great snow pants on clearance last year. Can I tell you, I love to be out in the snow now?

The kids love it, too. Even Sophie. Despite everyone having the proper snow gear, we've still never purchased sleds. That's ok. The kids and I make our own fun with Jeff's old snow shovel and a little hill in our backyard. A metal shovel makes an awesome sled by the way. :) I'm so proud of my kids for wanting to play out in the snow. I don't remember loving it the whole time growing up. After snow time, we trekked around to the front of the house to draw on the driveway with chalk. It was so sunny and actually quite warm (with a realfeel temp of 42). The driveway was just calling to us! We now have a lovely, heartwarming mural of our house, lots of sunshine (they all had to draw their own), a few flowers, a bunch of hearts and even a swimming pool. Jeff's got the afternoon tomorrow and I sense a repeat day.

If you've got sunshine where you live, can I offer a suggestion? GO OUTSIDE! It will do wonders for your spirit and happiness levels. :D