Winter blues and cooking

We have watched a lot of TV the last few weeks. Not our favorite...but winter days call for that. I think we make up for it when the weather turns. :) Grady comes home from preschool and pretty much CRASHES every Tuesday and Thursday. He loves to snuggle on the couch and lay low for 45-60 min before we move onto the next activity for the day. The little man is growing hard and growing tough and growing fast.

I just want to remember these canisters because I refill them multiple times a week...with flour, and oats, and sugar...and more sugar. :)

Ice skating with my babe

Grady doesn't typically just sit and read. But today he did. And this is how I found him. Amidst the questions about our different skin colors and hairs...:) He plopped himself down on his chair and read this book. Pretty much made me smile a TON.

Master Chef Junior #1!! Both girls are loving to help in the kitchen...Ellie with my cookie business (she's a gift from God)- and Emma is desiring to cook and cook up a storm. Tonight on the menu: fresh pasta (sauce made from scratch), homemade bruschetta, and salad. WIN!!

karate kid goes wild

This kid is sooooo close to his black belt. Could not be more proud of him and his persistence with this rigorous sport. Two times a week, an hour each time. He makes me so proud. Griffin--- you are black belt bound!

Snowy Lake Day

Us Snows love the lake. All of the time. Any time. The 6 of us drove up on Friday night and right before the sun went down the 3 big kids went out to "prepare" an ice skating rink for Saturday's snow and sunshine. I mean there is not much better than the sun setting on the lake...even when it's snowy and 20 degrees.

Ice cream sundaes with coats on...it takes awhile for the heat to get cranking at the lake. Soooo...we eat ice cream and color by the fire.
Ice cream is definitely a huge win for the 6 Snows. Brings us all together, that's for sure.

Kids in bed...and here I am sitting behind my mama and watching TV together. I took this picture because I treasure it. And I treasure her. I love watching random cop shows and random medical dramas. I love her, I love her skinny pop and red wine at TV time. I love her blankets and robes and glasses on the edge of her nose. I love how she loves to be cozy and wants us all here with her, together.

Ice skating rink in the works!!!

Kiki and Dave surprised us and came up for the day. Pretty much the best walk ON the lake. We typically walk alongside the lake, drive boats on it, swim in it...so it's also pretty special to walk ON it together. Kids thought it was pretty awesome. 

Melkam Gena

Merry Christmas, Ethiopia!!!!

Always a special holiday for us. Always important to talk about Ethiopia and celebrate one of the most amazing countries in all of the world. Grady still only knows very little about his home country but we sure do love to talk about it with him...and the other kids. Christmas in Ethiopia typically means a FEAST, lots of loud dancing music...and dressing in white. We managed to do at least some of that. :)

Happy New Year

January 2018. New Year. Time to get family blogging back in order a little bit. Kids are older. Ellie is almost 13, Griffin is a solid 7, Emma is a new 10 and Grady is a steady 4. We are ready for this new year. 

Winter Break. Christmas is over and we are all sad a little, because it is truly one of the best/ our most favorite seasons of the year. For so many reasons. Emma told me at least 5 times the last few days how sad she is that Christmas is over. And I get it too. The hustle is crazy but it's also fun. So many things to do: lights at the zoo, caroling, Christmas parties, baking, gift scheming...and setting our hearts on Jesus in that is a MUST. It's hard, right guys? We don't always look to Him enough in that season...but we remember, and we want to, and we know we need him more than ANYTHING.

So here we go with some lazy January days! Fires and blankets and chili HERE WE COME!! 

WinterBerry Crisp back in action!

Who doesn't love Chuck-E-Cheese?? Thankful for the gift card from a church goer. It was a perfect afternoon for a random spout of video games. :)

Boys' Bath Time!!!

Slime might make me lose my mind this year. It's an obsession with these elementary school kids. Ha. Emma especially loves it. She brings the kiddos into the madness though, that's for sure! 

Christmas moments from 2017

Because the 2017 blog book didn't happen as planned, I at least need to document some of the (Special)//Christmas moments over the season...just to name a few...:) So Christmas from LAST year will kick off THIS year's blog book! Here is go! :)

Emma didn't have braces for long...and it sure was fun to see her pearly white teeth again. What a beaut.

Lights at the zoo...there is not a year we have missed doing this together. Always one of our favorites.

Christmas EVE

We started the day at Kingston---cookies and cards to the elderly. I always feel a tremendous amount of pride as I watch my kids love on people who are often hard to talk to, understand, or be around. They rock it---every single year. They bring light to the people on Christmas Eve...and honestly, to the grumpy staff that usually is assisting.

We left there and went to Starbucks for some steamers and sandwiches. :)

Christmas Eve Church service was beautiful. It's the one time of the year our entire family sits together in church. It was powerful and emotional and wonderful. And the Snow was coming down like buckets outside---the most perfect Christmas Eve.
On our way into church...

Off to the Moores for Christmas Eve bagels and salads. :)

Christmas morning...
I wish I could freeze these moments, and print a video into a blog book to capture the sounds and smells and screams and mood. It's just the best morning of the year. It's fun and exciting and wonderful and easy and full of joy. Our kids woke us up at 7 AM. Yep---even the almost teenager.