Ryan's Snow Day

Actually it was more like Ryan's snow 5 minutes, lol. Since he's sick I didn't want to have him out there too long but I made sure to take him out today for a few obligatory snow pics before it starts to melt (yeah right, ha ha!)

Snow Baby

He looks lost in all of that snow!

I'm just humoring Mommy. Maybe she'll take me in soon!

Cutie Pies

Ok, I'm SO done with this snow! Let's go in now...

Trying to sit up in the snow suit... not an easy feat!

The Aftermath

It finally stopped snowing around 1 am this morning and we were certainly left with a LOT of snow to dig, shovel, blow and plow today! Oh, and to play in too! :-)

From yesterday:

When you could still see our railing

And today's pics:

Uh-Oh, po-ta-to!

I noticed the other day after I said "uh-oh" that Ryan repeated me. Now he says it all of the time!

The first part is Katie asking to call Aunt Karen to thank her for her enchilada recipe, :-)

The pics are from dinner tonight where Ryan fed himself mashed potatoes. What a mess but he had a great time!

Hmmm, what's this for?

Nevermind, I'll just use my hands!

Mmm, mmm, mmm!

(Another) Snow Day

Today was our second huge storm in 5 days and we're buried under 30+ inches of snow! Maddie and Katie are enjoying it but Ryan hasn't gone out yet. Last time I took him out in the snow, he didn't like it much and he's also sick now so if I do take him out, it'll just be all about the photo op!

Ryan checking out the snow

Yes the snow is really up to Katie's chest!

Snow Bunnies

"Chillin" in the snow

Playing in the snow fort with the neighbors

Snow Bunnies

Maddie is staying with us for a few days so she and Katie went out to play in the snow in our yard today. We built our own "ski slope" and the girls had a great time sliding down it.

Snowball Fight

Trying to escape from Maddie

Building the sliding hill

Maddie whizzed by so fast I missed her!

Getting ready to send Katie down

Downhill sledding team

And they're off...

It's Gonna Take A While...

but I'm actually going to attempt to update the blog all the way back to the beginning of August. I have (obviously) been remiss in updating but I'm trying to get back on track. At the very least I'm going to keep it current moving forward!

Rubber Ducky

Ryan had his first bath in the tub today. Usually I just bathe him in our big sink but Katie wanted to get a bath with him so we gave it a try. He loved splashing in the water and playing with Katie!

Pucker Up!

Katie was so excited to make her own lip gloss this morning! We made summer mango flavored gloss from a Spa Factory kit and added some food coloring to make it red. To me, it felt pretty gritty on my lips but Katie is proud that she made it and she likes it so I guess that's all that matters, :-).

Playground

We went to Mason's Mill Park for a little while today and Ryan is finally big enough to sit in the swings. We still can't push him too hard or he falls forward, lol, but he seemed to enjoy it. He was most interested in inspecting how the chain was attached to the seat. He must have some of Daddy's engineering blood in him!

Oh god, I better hold on!

This is fun!

Hey, where'd Katie go?

Me likey swing!

Katie playing under the spritzer

She was having such a great time!

Running, dancing, even tumbling in the mist, :-)

She was soaked (and filthy from the tumbling although you can't see it here) but very happy!

It's Like Butta, Baby!

The other day Katie asked me how we get butter so I decided that we'd make our own homemade butter so she could learn where butter comes from. We stopped at Genuardi's on our way to Poppy's house and got some special milk (heavy cream) so Maddie could make butter with us too. I think I have tennis elbow from all the shaking required but after it was all finished, I have to say we made some pretty yummy butter. Next up, making bread with Uncle James!

The Secret Ingredient and Supplies

Now for the complicated instructions for making butter...

Taking the whipped cream out of the container

Maddie was having way more fun than Katie!

Put it all back in, give a few more shakes and viola, we have butter!
The liquid around it is buttermilk. Guess I better find a recipe for buttermilk pancakes, :-)

Sampling the goods

Mom, see I made my own butter!

The Finished Product

Butter Fingers

Ryan and Kyra enjoying the butter making, LOL

Katie and Amy