Katrina's Space: March 2014

More Snow Play

This is how Nate went to work every day this winter. Even in sub zero weather.

Our back patio.

Our sidewalk. It looked like this for WEEKS.

I went skiing one afternoon while the kids were in school.

We did something a little different for Gabriel's 12th birthday this year. His "BIG" gift was that we turned the back room on our main floor into his bedroom. It was previously a pseudo-office/guest room/playroom. When he fell asleep, we proceeded to move his furniture downstairs (without waking him up .... we are GOOD!!!) He was SOOO surprised, and SOOOOOO excited when he woke up to find out what we'd done. We got him a monster lego set and some new sheets for his "new" queen size bed. For the rest of his gifts...we took him shopping so that he could pick out some stuff for his new space. He picked out an awesome CD clock radio that he can also plug his ipod shuffle into...and a new lamp for his new desk. :) He also chipped in on Disney Infinity for the Wii, to the delight of his siblings. Happy birthday, big guy. Don't grow up too fast.

New sheets for his NEW bed!

Peanut Butter pie was the birthday boy's request.

blowing out the candles!

Snow Play

Lots of snow means LOTS of snow play. Here are a few photos!

Tunnels!!

Rhylah made a snow horse!

For the Birds

So, I was a little obsessed with my birds this year. With no less than TWO polar vortexes that moved through this winter, not to mention several feet of snow, Nathan (who is such a sweetie) helped hang on old light fixture we had in storage, so that the birds were somewhat protected from above from all the falling snow. On the days when it was 40 below zero, I also piled up some sleds so they could get out of the wind. From the photo, you can see that they weren't hesitant about making use of my little ramshackle shelter.

Ice Skating

We took the Youth Group ice skating at the beginning of January. It was super fun—mostly because it was Asher and Rhylah's first time EVER on the ice. They did SO well! Although, watching Rhy walk around the arena with her little walker...I felt like I was glimpsing what she'll look like as a little old lady someday! SO cute! By the end of the event, they were skating around like pros.

Rhylah with her walker. :)

Daddy helps her out.

Candy girls.

Our Youth Group

daddy and Asher.

Glasses for My Girl!

Just after Christmas, Rhylah got glasses! She was pretty excited and we think she looks cute as a button!

Christmas/Winter Hike

My folks came up to visit from St. Louis for a few days after Christmas. While they were here, we had a few sunny days, and so headed out to Grand Mere to do some hiking through the dunes, by Lake Michigan. It was a GORGEOUS day!

Christmas 2013

Christmas was at our house this year, and we had a great time! Rhylah still fit into the dress I made her last year and even better, she WANTED to wear it! Seeing her in it just made my heart melt. The most popular gifts of the year included bean bags for all the kiddos, a drum practice pad and headphones for Gabriel, and Disney Princess Elsa/FROZEN dress and acessories for Rhylah and a Kinex Roller coaster and glow in the dark planets for Asher. Of course, we had our Christmas Feast, which started in my family years and years ago when we had only a little money and dad went out and bought pickles and tiny ham salad sandwiches for Christmas Eve dinner. Now, it has blossomed into a full scale extravaganza, with chicken wings and pot stickers, multiple kinds of cheeses, raw beef and onions and little smokies. SOOO yummy! But it's always a good reminder that everything we have is a gift from God!