More Snow Pictures...
James helped the girls (or was it the girls helping James) build a snow fort last night. We ended up having a family snowball fight...James and the girls in the fort against Greyson and me outside of the fort (not sure who made the teams) but it was fun - you can see in the pictures, I got the girls in the head a few times :)
Greyson tries hard to keep up. He likes being outside. I think next year James will have him on dirveway shoveling duty!
The kids did not have school today so it was a great time to play outside in the sunshine! The girls were out a few times today and begged me to take Greyson out too. Sydney wanted to hold Grey so bad for the picture - she did great until she dumped him off and went to play on the swings. Greyson was a good sport - trying to crawl through the snow...okay, he was MAD! He does love being outside - he screamed when I made him go inside.
It has been a crazy week for us - My sister Becky lost her baby this past week. After going through something similar twice and my other sister once, I just cannot believe it happened again. We are so thankful that her high-risk delivery went easier than expected and Becky was able to hold and see her baby. My emotions through all of this have been a little crazy - I was so thankful for a snow day for the kids and the ability to spend a "great" day with them. We are keeping Becky and her family in our prayers and know God will use this "crappy" situation for His Glory.
On Thursday we made the trip out to the "boy's spot" to leave a balloon for Little James' birthday. He would have turned 5! Sometimes it seems like yesterday and sometimes it like it has to be longer than 5 years. I realized that in the past 5 years I have had 4 children (wow!). Sydney fell asleep in the car so she was half-awake by the time we got there. James shoveled a path and we were only out for a few minutes - it was COLD! Not many of the pictures turned out - all of the ones I took look like I was using night-vision - I was so cold, I didn't care. We did have a good day. Ceci had us over for dinner and the kids got to play with cousins which is always a good time. I found myself giving Greyson hugs all day long - I am glad he doesn't mind. I picture baby James being a lot like like Greyson - I think they would have looked similar to each other. The girls and I wrote Birthday messages on the balloon - Sydney picked out the blue one at the store. I am glad the girls look forward to celebrating their brothers' birthdays. We miss the boys so much but are so grateful for the family God has given us.
James' birthday was this past week too. We had dinner together and played a family game of Ticket to Ride - Raleigh creamed us all!
And just more random pictures...
I took Raleigh skiing today - I was not sure how it was going to go. I have not skiied in 11-12 years and I have never taught anyone before. Raleigh was a little afraid at first. She usually is like that with something new. We went up the small hill with the tow rope a couple of times and then decided that hill was too small so we took the chairlift to a bigger hill for the rest of the time.
Raleigh did GREAT! She told me she loved the time on the chairlift because "it is fun time talking to mom." I was so glad I got rid of my old skiis that were really long - so much easier to teach someone with short skiis on. Raleigh fell a number of times but was always glad when she made it down the hill without falling. I think she was surprised when I fell too! (In my defense, our skiis crossed and we both went down - oh, the other time was when the 12 year old snowboarder flew into me - I did not even see him coming - he was so appologetic, which I was impressed by for his age!) 
Raleigh was cute - I looked like a total dork. My purple and teal gloves are from high school and this was the only hat I could find that covered my ears. At least I found a new pair of snowpants on the clearance rack so I did not have to wear bright teal ones and look like a Christmas tree.
The kiddos have been having a great time with all of the snow. Greyson even liked it. He is borrowing a snowsuit from his cousin - he loves going down the hill on the sled. Raleigh does a better job of holding on to him than Sydney does.
Raleigh had a snow day last Friday - the girls went out in their PJ's and snowsuits until I made them come in to get dressed and head out the door.
Our deck is great for Snow Angels!
Greyson was trying a reverse-inside-under-the-chair-non-snow angel. He did not get to go out with the girls...uh...because I was not out with them either.
