Sunday, December 19, 2010

Give-A-Way


Would you like to win this great bag?
It will carry your projects,
your albums,
your groceries,
your personal items for a trip to the mountains!
What would you do with this great bag?
Be a follower and leave a comment for up to two entries!
As usual, the drawing will be done in house, literally.
Our winner will be announced on New Years Day.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Snow Balls... Snow Fights... Snow Men!

The snow stopped falling
and the sun appeared.
What a beautiful day in the mountains!
Sunshine, blue skies and white snow!
Those clouds?
They are surely headed away from us!
Who could resist this beautiful snow?


The girls in the hot tub.
And the boys in the snow.
Snow balls in the air!
Moving the snow!
No tears and wet underwear -
obviously, a fun time in the snow!

Preparing for the edible craft.
Puppets?
 Snowman on a stick! 
Snowless snowmen!
Aren't they cute?
Yummy!

Snow Covered Trees!

Mitchell played with Charlotte
while the other kids
finished their school work for the week.
We put together Family Fun activities
and they brought laughter and entertainment!
Mitchell looked out our bedroom window
and saw PawPaw lookng like a cowboy!
He was clearing snow.
And there is lots of it!
We love snow covered trees!
I started gathering materials
for a fun afternoon project!
But the outdoors was calling!
Holly and PawPaw opted
for a quiet dip in the hot tub.
Jack enjoyed the bonfire.
Snowy days are the best for burning! 
When it is so cold outside,
mint hot chocolate
is so yummy!
Holly likes to help Grammy make pizza!

Finally, we are ready for the afternoon project~
A Ginger Bread Tree!
It was such fun to make
and the snacks were a bonus!
Notice Mitchell!
Such creativity in the four individual
Christmas Trees!
The individual trees are sugar cones.
Project complete.
Proud Gingerbread Tree Decorators.
Maybe next year, we will tackle
the full Gingerbread House!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Winter in the Mountains is Unpredictable!

Mountain living is unpredictable,
but always worth it.

You won't find a park or playground
within walking distance,
but PawPaw will find a swing if you want one.
That dumb waiter sure comes in handy!

Girls like to make gingerbread houses.
Charlotte and Holly and their
gingerbread houses.
Not what you expected, huh?
Well they were really easy and fun,
but not edible or messy.

 Our view in the winter.
 I think that there may be some moisture
in those clouds.
Lots of wind in the last few days
was blowing in a storm.
Then, about 3 PM on Wednesday
our power went out
and along with it,
internet and eventually telephone service.

We had gas heat and the fireplace to keep warm..
and glow sticks to keep from being afraid... 
  a gas stove for cooking...
and candles for light.
But the power was out overnight.
And this morning,
the snow started.
After a trip to Mora,
lots of flickering,
and a visit from the ISP tech crew,
we were back to normal
with electricity, telephone, Internet
and Direct TV.

It seems that there was
a major electrical problem in the area.
At San Miguel Co-op,
a supervisor used lots of scary words about
an explosion, a fire, a transformer, the jail.
Fortunately, those problems had been rectified,
so it made us happy that they came right out
and got us connected again.

We love the seclusion of these mountains, 
but we do like the connection with the outside world. 

It seemed lik a really good time
to work on my Christmas Cards
and gifts to mail. 
Charlotte was a very good helper.
Actually, she probably attaches stickers better than I do,
except of course the one that was applied upside down.
Who knows when you can't read?
I turned it around when she wasn't looking.
shhhh... don't tell her.

The big kids played outside.
They were sledding down the road,
building a bonfire 
and enjoying snowballs.
Some were for fights and some for eating.
Such a dry, powdery snow
never makes good snowmen, though. 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Hide-and-Seek and Home School

We have been blessed with beautiful weather-
sunny and relatively warm for
December in the mountains.
There was a fun game of hide-and-seek

outside this afternoon.
Hiding.
 Seeking.
 Counting.

Inside?  Schoolwork.
"Learning is fun!
 "My brain is full!" 
"What's for dinner?"
Charlotte's project is washing rocks.
She may be busy for a while!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Back with Buttons and Birthdays!

We are happy to be in the mountains this week.
Our daughter, Crissy and her four kids came with us!
It was miserably cold when we arrive last night,
but everything is warming up now.

While the big kids are learning grammar, history and Latin,
Charlotte is hanging out with Grammy and PawPaw. 
There was lots of talking
and button sorting.

December 13 is Jack's birthday!
So, we had a little party...
with cards,
and gifts,
homemade cupcakes,
and candles!
Happy Birthday, Jack!