Winter Wonderland

So yesterday we had our first bit of snow! Miss Kate immediately wanted to go build a snowman as she has fond memories of last winters snowman.

I sent her out to play while I was getting myself bundled up and she entertained herself by making a giant triangle in the yard (which I couldn't fit into the picture entirely) and then continued making little paths in the snow and then pacing around on them. Possibly she was pretending to be Mr. Dale (The elderly neighbor man who does dozens of laps around the park daily)

I decided it would be best to build a snowman with Kate while Tay-O was taking his nap...and so it was that this little fella didn't get to enjoy the snow at all. :)

(He was happy enough with a good lunch, apparently)

So we finished Mister snowman after much labor as this cold and beautifully glitter snow is terrible for packing so we had to build one small handfull at a time gently packing as we went.

As you can see it had begun to snow once again as we were finishing up.

By dinner time it looked like this....

Although it is impossible to capture on camera what it really looked like. I could sit by the window all night watching the snow sparkle and glitter in the porch light. I simply can't get over the glittery-ness of the snow here as I have only been accustomed to the wet Oregon snow. Its like someone just spilled a giant jar of glitter over the yard to add to the beauty of the snow.

By bedtime it was blowing ...while still snowing. :)

This morning this was my view.

It's about 12 degrees out there, and on a random note, if you look closely at the below pic you'll notice I accidentally captured Mr. Squirrel in the photo. (on the gatepost)

The snow varies from 6in. to over a foot deep as the wind has been blowing alot.

Our front entrance is one big mess of drifts...but I'm not going anywhere soon. :)
We'll be staying warm and cozy inside and enjoying the beauty of winter....

before thanksgiving?!?!

We hope our family is still planning to come to our house, cause I really don't feel like going anywhere. :D

So, My Family, here is what you can look forward to. ;)

Safe drivin' Ya'all.

Fall fun and MICE!!!

I love Fall!!!

Watching the tree in the corner of our yard go from

THIS....

to THIS...

To "time to rake leaves". :)

That is one of the many things I love about fall. :D

The kids loved "helping" Daddy rake leaves every weekend.

Well, more like they loved to PLAY in the leaves Daddy raked every weekend.

Tay-O had to figure out what leaves were all about first.

"Umm, just what exactly am I supposed to do here."

Miss Kate showed him what fun there was to be had with a great mountain of leaves...

And after a little inspecting...

He found out how much fun they were too.

My little squirrel in her nest.

Trying to get the hang of raking.

Big sis makes it look so easy.

Leaves in the hair! YAY!

Taking a nap in her bed of leaves.

The hazards of a leaf pile:

"Mommy, my boot fell off!" :(

Found it!!!

I love the view out of my kitchen window.

Did a little project with Miss Kate while fall was in the height of its glory.

Tracing, cutting, and pasting leaves to frame a picture of our family. ;)

Another week passed and the kids headed outside once again to rake the leaves with Daddy...although you can tell it was already getting much more chilly.

And they're off.

We all love to watch Daddy work...me included. ;)

Of course climbing the fence and peering over it is pretty fun too.

Who knows what kind of exciting things might be going on on the other side of it.

Usually nothing. :)

Apparently they were playing follow the leader...

Still following the leader...

still following the leader...

Game over.

Tay-O is headed off into the sunset.

I noticed it was a beautiful one when I was taking out the garbage.

So I had to stop and take time to enjoy the sunset for a minute.

I love a weekend that ends like this.

And then I was back in my kitchen, making dinner and enjoying the view.

THE MICE

Here are the pics of the little bed I made for the mommy and daddy mice of the recently acquire mouse family at our house. Miss Kate loves them to death.

Made from popsicle sticks, cardboard, and wooden dowels (chopped up and carved).

Then of course we had to make the mattress, pillows,

and a cozy flannel comforter to tuck them in with.

Goodnight Mr. and Mrs. Mouse.

A couple of fun videos of the leaf romping. :)

(Sorry the one with the words got sort of messed up and you can't read what it says, but I don't have time to re-edit and repost it so you'll just have to wonder what it said.) :]