Skiing with the Cub Scouts

Sabine & Lourdes in February

Tearing up the park

Loving gymnastics

Winter house project

We still have some unfinished house projects after the renovation.  One of which was to decorate the two main walls in our basement/tv room.  I found a painting on Etsy that perfectly filled the space on one wall.  It was done by a painter in the Netherlands who shipped it to us within 10 days for a reasonable shipping charge.  I really liked the colors and size.  But I wanted to make the other wall a bit more personable.  So I started thinking about how much books are a part of our lives.  I LOVE reading with the kids.  It is the one time of day where we all crawl up on the couch, relax and just enjoy each other.  And we've read some great books.  So I set out identifying six of our favorite books and finding quotes in each.  Joe really loved The Hobbit growing up.  My favorite book was A Wrinkle in Time.  The kids are obsessed with Harry Potter, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Lemony Snicket.  And I thought the One and Only Ivan was a really beautiful book.  Then I found someone on Etsy to put it on paper.  I am so happy with the final product and the kids really love it too.

Valentine's Ski Weekend

Valentine's Day fell over the long President's Day weekend this year.  So we decided to get out of town with the Boxer family and do a bit of skiing at Granite Peak in Wisconsin.  Our trip was almost over before it started because Sabine spiked a 106 degree fever on Thursday and had to go to the ER to get checked out.  Turns out it was just a virus, and we were on our way on Friday.  Still, since the high on Saturday was only 5 degrees, we let Finn, Joe, Emmit and Joe Boxer hit the slopes that day while I took the girls and Ian to the pool.  (Mary unfortunately came down with strep during our trip).  

The boys warming up with hot chocolate before getting back out on the slopes.

We all went skiing on Sunday and had a great time.  Well...Sabine was still a bit tired from her virus and only lasted a couple of hours...but the rest of us had fun.  Then we headed back to the hotel to open up some Valentine's Day gifts.

Books!!!!

Valentine's Day pjs

Sabine feels better once she's all snuggled up in her love pjs.

On Monday, it was time to head home, but we will certainly be back next year.  Granite Peak was a nice little resort and the told of Wausau had some great restaurants.  Perfect for a long weekend trip.

Off to the St. Al's Fundraiser

Cleaned up for another fun/crazy Art & Soul night.  (I love that we keep it real by taking a picture with lego leftovers at our feet.  lol)

Proud Mom

We absolutely love Finn's second grade teacher, Miss Haidet.  She's so present and supportive of all of her students.  An example of this is the note she wrote Finn below complementing him on his work ethic while giving him goals for the day.  She rocks!

I thought Finn's drawing of the Washington Monument and reflecting pool was awesome!

Lourdes & Sabine - January edition

They decided it was time to learn to play chess like their brother.  I love how supportive he looks in this picture.  

They continue to do a crazy amount of gymnastics per week.  

Their conditioning is intense.  Here they are doing relay sled runs.

But they still find plenty of time to play

And get their face painted