Ski season

Ski season is in full swing here in New England for our family. We get to ski every Friday. All of us but Jo who is enjoying her all day play date with her friend Riellie.

It took Emma a full day to get used to skiing again this winter. She has been taking ballet since September and I believe she forgot to point her toes in (instead of out). But she is a quick learner and she is doing a great job on the slopes. She prefers to ski with daddy.

We rarely see our boys. I cannot keep up with them and last week I learned that my boys have a reputation that nobody can keep up with them. They ski together and once in a while I see them. They show up in the lodge for lunch and then they are off again. I have no clue where they find all that energy.

Emma getting off the chair lift with daddy.

And down they go. Emma is not far behind her brothers. We took her strap off at the end of the day and she headed for the trees and bumps at full speed. No fear what so ever.

Nate finding all the little paths. Why skiing on the big trails is boring.

Emma waiting for her brother at the end of the day hoping they will get tired soon while playing with dad's skis and poles.

Sam practicing his jumps.

We have plenty of snow in New England and we have TONS more coming our way this week.

What do you do when it is -14F outside?

You stay inside the warm house and have plenty of hot cocoa on hand!!! Last Monday it was -14F (-25.5C) in our lovely New England.
It did warm up during the day up to -5F (-20.5C).

You better believe we did not stick our noses out of the door.

I didn't even go out to get the mail.

There was no way you could get me out in that cold weather.

We stayed home with plenty of hot cocoa, sat on our sofa and read tons of books.

The kids specially enjoyed the hot cocoa.

With plenty of (snowman) marshmallows.

What would you do?

Welcome Tamenech

Today we drove down to Hartford, CT to greet a new member of the Laughner family. Tamenech is safely home with her new family. It is always a great joy to see the Laughners and we are so happy for them. Four adults and NINE kiddos.

Tamenech warmed up to us quickly and was running around the airport with all the kids and with balloons in her hands.

A new coat for the good New England weather is a must and it was a big hit.

Welcome home Tamenech!

Thanks for a visit

I forgot to post a picture of uncle Vittee departure after Christmas.

As always we had a great time with him and the kids enjoyed him tremendously.

Yes Jo is pouting in this pictures. She was good all week and she decided to show her special personality at the airport.

Fun in the Snow

Our family got hit with the flu . I was the first one to come down with it. Then Fil, Jo and Nate got hit. Last week, when half of our family couldn't get out of bed, New England got hit with a BIG snow storm. We got around 20 inches (50cm) in one day. The kids couldn't go play outside since we were sick and I felt so bad. Anyway last Sunday I did let them go out to get some fresh air and they had a blast.

Their bodies were busy and their imagination had no end.

They dug around our house making little path ways and rooms.

They all soaked in tons of vitamin D from the sun.

They couldn't stop smiling just from being happy to be able to play outside.

They tried the swing set which is mostly covered with snow.

It sort of worked.

But they did not care.

They were just happy to be outside.

They dug some more.

They made sofas to sit on.

Beds to take naps on.

They slid down the slide.

Maybe they will be tired tonight.

Hey I can always hope!

Nutcracker on Christmas Eve

Thanks to Fil's parents, we got to enjoy a new experience this Christmas Eve. All of us (including uncle Vittee) got to go see The Nutcracker in Boston. The kids had no idea but Emma figured it out as soon as we got off the exit (I did take her to Boston Ballet last spring). The girls have been talking about The Nutcracker for a long time so it was a big surprise for them. The boys were not so sure about it thinking that ballet was for girls but seeing all the families around us they did enjoy the performance very much.

(The boys did not get crowns)

Right after the ballet we went to church and after we enjoyed our traditional Christmas Eve dinner (including honey, crackers and garlic. And this year all of the kids did eat it).

THANK YOU GRANDPA AND GRANDMA VERY MUCH!!!

First snow of the season

Our fist snow of the season fell from the sky two days before Christmas. People in New York and New Jersey got TONS of snow (way more than us) but the kids were not complaining since the first snow of the season is always exciting now matter how much you get. It was the perfect snow for making a snowman and since uncle Vittee already arrived for the holiday he ended up playing with the kids outside.


The girls did enjoy time with their uncle and were helping to put together a snow man.

The boys did not wanted to be left behind so they started building their biggest snowball ever. It got really big and I believe it is still sitting in our front yard (cover under fresh layers of snow). Maybe we will see it in the spring again.

The girls snowman ended up taller than the girls. Poor thing lost its head the next day and I can tell you today (as of the middle of January) it is completely covered under layers of snow as well. Yes we do get LOTS of snow in New England in the winter!

Jo did have a good time even though she is not looking like it in this picture.

Emma helping.