Snow and Cold days

I can't believe this weather in the month of February! From sixty degrees to thirty and snow, not to mention the crazy wind. I guess it's typical of Colorado weather but we are ready for spring.

Here is a glimpse of what our days have been consisting of.

Music Class every Tuesday morning, the boys just enjoy so much! I started Jonas in these classes since he was 9 months old. Ms. Leah, their teacher, always tells me Jonas has rhythm.

Silas likes to be loud and enjoy a good laugh with friends in the class.

Scavenger hunts and exploring snow melting is such a fun activity for Jonas and Silas. We experimented with things that float down the water gully. Fascinating!

Dancing is one of the best pastimes for us!

Wednesday evening, we experienced some heavy wind in our area. Jonas and Matt went outside to break down the rest of the snow cave and pick up toys. By 6pm that night, there was a broken pine tree that fell across Union Blvd(our street), and collapsed the power lines. We were out of power.

Silas was a bit afraid and confused. He kept saying, "lights on" and would switch the lights on and off. Luckily, I had dinner in the crockpot so we eat a candlelight dinner. It was exciting!

Then got our glow sticks out that I have had for years. So perfect time to play with them. We played hide and seek with our flashlights and had a talent show.

Before bed, we roasted smores over the gas stovetop for a treat. Bedtime was early! We assumed the power would kick on by morning. Well, it didn't! Instead it snowed 6 inches, unpredicted!

We stayed in our jammies all day to keep warm. Luckily, the sun shone through the windows and kept the house warm at 60 degrees.

Silas worked on cutting with scissors for about 45 minutes. This picture cracked me up because my brother, Nate, always stuck his tongue out when he had to concentrate or work on something.

Snack time was pretzels, raisins, and marshmallows. And then we decided to make shapes out of them.

Silas being goofy again!

I pulled out our recycling bin and the boys had a good time creating spaceships to cat house to robots with recyclable material. I made a science project with a blowdryer and kept a plastic egg up in the air for minutes. Intriguing for the boys!

The next day we had our friends over, Caleb and Eli to play. What great friends!

Bunk bed

Out with the old and in with the new! Last week, we finally found a bunk bed that would fit in their little square room. And now that we have a place to put the crib(off to Tim and Merri for their new baby coming in August), we needed a bed for Silas.

It was a bittersweet feeling but it's been great to have the bunk bed. I no longer have to get up out of bed to get Silas out of his crib. Yea!

Jonas, dad's assistant, is always there with a lending hand.

Jonas loves to help and is so strong!

The final project! They are having so much fun climbing up and down the ladder to playing pretend boat and sharks attacking. There will be many years of memories in this bed!

Winter Park mini vacation

We are so blessed to have friends like the Sweeneys! Not only are they the best of friends, but they are so fun to hang out with. Matt and I usually go up to their condo at least 4-5 times every year. We finally made it up this year for the first time and they joined us, long with their daughter Jamie and her family. We had a blast!

The weather was mild so it was pleasant to be outside. First we went sledding in the downtown area.

Cool shades!

Silas is so stoked to go by himself. He just loves it! No reservations!

The playground is right next to the sledding hill so we had to play for awhile.

Boys were exhausted!

Next day was sledding again, skiing, and swimming. Jonas let me know they all started with the letter 's'.

Jonas and Silas sledding. Silas decided to bail at the end of the hill.

Off for a walk. Corine(Oma to her grand babies) just loves on our kids like they are her own.

Skiing for the 4th time this ski season. Jonas continues to improve but is very cautious. He likes to be in control and doesn't want to push it too hard. He told me, "Mama, I don't want to let go of the pole or I will crash." I hardly need to hold on but it's security for him. Baby steps!

The lift was called Galloping Goose. We waddled like a goose at times to make it fun!

On the chair lift together. The best conversations ever!

My ski buddy, Jonas!

Valentine's food

Since we love Valentine's season, we love the food too! Here are the last few days of celebrating Valentine's.

One morning, we made heart shaped cinnamon rolls. Easy and sweet!

Valentine's Eve night, made heart shaped chocolate chip waffles with strawberry sauce on top. The waffle maker was sent from Oma that day and Matt was thrilled to make breakfast for dinner. The boys loved it!

Valentine's morning, such great surprises! First of all, my amazing husband bought me flowers and displayed them on the table. Then the boys were given chocolate by Grandmom and Legos from us. I also made a Valentine photo book of us together this past year and love letters to my 3 boys. There was lots of love in the air!

Hours of fun and entertainment with Legos! Jonas is in heaven!

That night we made cheese and chocolate fondue with wine to compliment it.

The boys had juice in nice wine glasses. They thought it was delish!

Jonas devoured the cheese fondue.

And Silas just loved everything about that night!

After dinner, we enjoyed a cup of coffee and I opened Matt's gift, a 3 page love poem. I read it out loud and tears fell down on my cheek. Jonas looked at me and asked,"Mom, what are those on your cheeks?" Dad answered 'tears of joy'. And then Jonas reached over and wiped a tear. WOW! I thought to myself, how is this son of mine so sentimental already at 4 years old? Oh yeah, my loving husband!

Snow cave

After our snowfall a week ago and the temps staying cold, Matt had this idea to make a snow cave. The boys were totally into it and helped hours on end. Here are photos of them playing and just hanging out.

Abominable snowboys!

Keeping warm around the fire and made smores!

George, our snow cat, has enjoyed the snow too!

We continue to jump on the trampoline.

Valentine Countdown

I love Valentine's Day! I love all the pink, red, and white decorations...and of course all the love!! Even though most people think it's a cheesy and made up holiday, I think it reminds us to woo each other and love on our kids. Now that I'm a mother of 2 boys, I love doing kid things to make this time of year special. My mother always made this holiday fun and showed us her love through balloons, a special pancake breakfast, and a little gift to open on Valentine's day. Inspired by the new website Pinterest, I decided to do a countdown to Valentine's day starting on the 1st of February.

One of the boys(usually Jonas), would find the number of the date and I would read it aloud of our activity for the day.

Silas loves getting a Hershey 'kiss' everyday after they have to kiss mom. He really is learning his numbers now. I can't believe he can count to 20 all by himself. Incredible!

Making candy coated pretzels that looked like hearts and sent them to a good friend of ours, Corine, who had surgery. The boys decorated a Valentine card to give to her too. She was so thankful and enjoyed our surprise visit!

One of the days we sent 'Hand Valentine' cards to some family members.

We and some friends scheduled a morning to be with the elderly at a nearby nursing home and made Valentine crafts with them. Cecila, one of the ladies, enjoyed just watching Jonas and Silas work on their crafts. She couldn't believe how beautiful they were. She kept calling Silas a girl...lol! Silas loved all the grandmas and grandpas. He would go right up to anyone and start a conversation. So sweet!

More crafts inspired by Pinterest! Went to our friend, Jamee's house where she had the kids work on these crafts. What fun!

From baking heart shaped sugar cookies to chex mix with pink M&M's to drinking hot cocoa with heart shaped marshmallows has been so delightful! We have 4 more days to go! Yipee!