Looking to see if there's "no in my river"

First Snow

Last Thursday night, the 12th, we had our first snow of the season, but also our first snow at our new house. We actually woke the boys up early from their naps so we could get some play time in before supper. I'll have to be honest and say that waking the boys up early wasn't the best idea, but they managed to get out of their crummy moods and finally enjoy the snow. 

We didn't have much, but it was still falling. I figured that Heath would be going to work in the morning, so this would probably be the only time Heath would be able to play in the snow with the boys. We bundled them up in their snow pants, snow boots, heavy coats, scarves, hats and mittens/gloves, and then we headed outside. Heath had bought a new sled on his way home, and the boys were super excited about it.

Heath got them situated on the sled, wiped a nose, and then they were ready.

He didn't take them down any hills that night. He mostly just pulled them around the yard. They both weren't sure of it at first. After awhile Cash asked to get off and wanted to just run around in the snow.

I think B was so bundled up that he couldn't move, so we just left him on the sled and pulled him around. :)

Cash loved being outside while the snow was falling. I chased him around the yard. We ran around the trees, up and down the hills making "pootfrints" with our snow boots.

B got to where he really enjoyed just taking a ride in the sled. Heath would pull him around and as he got a little faster, a little smile formed on his face. I think he's going to be my little snow-lover!

As hard as it was getting them awake, in good moods, and dressed to go outside, it was equally as hard trying to get them inside for supper. There were more tears, but I promised them that we would play in the snow some more the next morning.

Nice weather in the winter? To the gravel pile!

Last Friday, the weather was amazing (for January!) As soon as the boys woke up from their naps, we grabbed our jackets and headed outside to enjoy the beautiful day. Secretly, I opened both their doors while they were still napping and started putting the dishes away downstairs hoping that they'd wake up early. It's not very often that you get nice weather like this in the middle of winter!

As soon as the door was open, Cash set off to the gravel pile. He was a (little) man on a mission!

Did I mention that we decided to take some m & m's with us, too? Here's B snacking on his. He was enjoying the day, too, he just wasn't in such a hurry as Cash.

But as soon as the chocolate was finished, he grabbed a stick and followed big brother.

We saw Ruth on the woodpile, so we got a bit side tracked. They climbed all over the pile trying to get to her. Good thing kitty is such a good climber!

Not sure what he saw here, but he was so happy to be outside! 

Love my ragamuffin kid! He loves this hat, and I love that he wears it all the time without a struggle. I think he knows it's good for his little ears. (This is a special hat, too. Nana (Heath's mom) bought it for Cash when he was a little guy, right before she died.)

We made it! When we arrived though, Cash stopped and said, "Where are my machines?!" He was so excited to go to the gravel pile that he forgot all about his machines and shovels. That's okay, though! They loved climbing up and down the "big hill."

Eat. Him. Up.

See that wooden knife? It's not really a wooden knife. It's a sword.

My outside loving boys were so happy! (It was quite the struggle convincing them to go back to the house!)

Heath's to-do list

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that Heath had a winter to-do list. He's been adding things to it as we come across stuff that can "wait until it's cold weather." They are mostly indoor things that have taken the backseat around here to the more urgent outdoor things (like the concrete pad, retaining wall, landscaping and never-ending task of trying to establish a yard). As soon as he had some free time, though, he started knocking things off his list. Here's a look at what he's been up to:

I know this isn't huge, but it shows Heath's character. He hates a disorganized mess (probably why he never comes upstairs to "my room!"), and his basement had become somewhat of a mess since we moved in. Things were brought in and just put in piles. He had found some time earlier to organize the piles, but still wanted everything to have a place. Now, our ladder golf game, kayaking paddles and boogie board have their own special place. (We have yet to bring our kayak to the house. It's still in dad's hangar at the airport.)

Now some of his yard tools, shovels, etc. have their own place, too.

I'm super excited about this. I mentioned that I wanted my new swing sanded and stained in time for warm weather, and look - it's already done! It looks amazing! He really did an awesome job. Now if we could just find the chains, we'd be all set. (Note to self: Never leave fun swing chains out for little boys to play with them.)

Wonderful, right? Now all his hunting stuff has a place, too. At some point, I think he's going to enclose an area of the basement for his hunting stuff to be separate, but for now, it takes up one corner. 

Heath had never finished the pull-down door going into the attic - mainly because he and the house inspector couldn't agree on how to do it. Here's the job mostly done. I think he's going to paint the door itself with some leftover paint that matches the doors of the house. 

For the past six months, our water hoses just laid all coiled up (though very neatly) on the concrete next to the drain. Now they, too, have their own place.

No. Baylen wasn't on Heath's to-do list, but Heath did make all four of us some sturdy hiking sticks last week. He's hoping we can use them to hike down to the river. I'm just hoping the boys don't decide to use them as swords. B sure seems to like holding his, and Cash used his the other day to "climb dat big gravel pile."

My sweet husband is such a "hard-worker guy" (as Cash would say). He never sits just to relax and watch some TV. He's always on the go, getting things done and making sure things are as they are supposed to be. He does relax at night in his office, reading, studying or catching up on some work, but honestly, there isn't a lazy bone in his body. How grateful I am for my "hard worker guy."

More white shirts

 Do you remember these pictures from this post?

These were taken December of 2010 at our old house. Heath had taken off his button-up shirt from work, Cash had taken off his long-sleeve shirt, and, to help Baylen fit in, I had stripped him down to his onesie. Why? Cause when you play this hard, you get a little hot!

Even at 2 1/2 and 9 months, the boys loved pulling the cushions off the couch, bouncing and jumping, and making forts with daddy.

I don't remember why I had to go into town one evening, but when I got home, I returned to this scene in the living room. Cushions pulled off the couch, stacked on the coffee table, and the two small chairs arranged as bumpers. Whose idea was it? The biggest of the three in white shirts.

Heath made a ramp for the boys to climb up. After they climbed to the top, they would jump down onto the couches. Cash did this all by himself, usually with a small flip involved. B, on the other hand, had some assistance (thankfully).

As seen here, Heath would help Baylen with his jump, as he hasn't really mastered the whole jumping thing yet.

Do I mind my husband turning the living room in to a gymnastics arena for the boys? Not at all! I think it's great for him to play with the boys and keep them active, and I know the boys love it!

Cash, especially, needs an outlet for all his energy. Not being able to be outside really takes a toll on this little guy sometimes. I appreciate, too, any time that we can spend as a family with the TV off.

See the sweaty hair and panting face? Yeah, he was wearing out pretty fast. It's hard work having this much fun!

I had to get another "white t-shirt" picture of my boys. Gracious, my little guys are growing up fast! Sweet faces here...

and silly faces here.

These boys are so blessed to have such a fun-loving daddy! 

A different kind of Rockin' Eve

Heath and I have never really had BIG plans for a New Year's Eve. We're not big party-people, and since we've had the boys, we don't stay up that late and neither do they. Some years we would go and snack on finger foods and play board games with my parents and sister, and other years we would just crawl into bed at 10 wishing each other a happy new year two hours early.

This year was different though, and we were very excited about it! Our new neighbors invited us over for a small party, including children, from 5-9 that evening. Perfect! Fun times with new friends, and the kids could come and enjoy some playtime with their friends, too!

We started the evening off with soup, sandwiches and fruit. Yum!

Allison and Benjamin were ready to bring in the new year!

The Hatchers have a great sun room that's perfect for playing. Cash loves this train. He rode it around and around and around .... There's Carter and Garrett playing in the background, too.

I picked up some party hats for the kids to play with. Elisabeth loved trying on the different hats. How cute!

B chose to wear this green top hat and drive the John Deere around the sun room.

Here's Garrett decked out ready to bring in the new year while engineering the train.

Heath (for some reason) walked on his hands across the floor, which started a trend. All the kids wanted to walk on their hands, too. With the help of the daddys, they all gave it a shot.

Here's Heath trying to help B walk on his hands. I think it was more like a hand stand.

As you can see, B preferred munching on corn chips and watching the action.

We ended the night around 9:30, just as the kids were getting tired, but not losing any momentum! Hugs were given (here's Adaline hugging Cash), and we went home to bed before the clock struck 12. It was a wonderful night celebrating the old year and looking forward to a new year with new friends.

Deer #2

WARNING: Pictures of dead deer included.

On Monday morning, Heath went hunting down the road at a neighbor's farm. We are both excited about the opportunity to hunt there since it is so close. The other farm where Heath hunts is another county away, making it harder for him to go as often. He texted me at 6:50 and wrote: Doe down. Yay! The boys began waking up, and I fixed their breakfasts explaining to them that Daddy had shot another deer. They were pumped, too.

Heath called during breakfast to tell me that he had gotten his truck stuck in the woods trying to get the deer out. Great. I put coats and slippers on the boys (over their pajamas), put them in the car, and we made the short trip down the road to pick up Heath. To make a long story short, our super awesome neighbor brought his tractor to the woods to pull Heath out of the mud. (We are so thankful for you!)

Although this is "old hat" to Cash, I think it's the first deer picture that Baylen has been a part of. Maybe that's the reason that he did not want to stand on the tailgate with Cash. :)

The weather was supposed to be super cold for the next few days, so Heath hung it in the tree, with Cash's help. Later that afternoon, B kept saying "Deer" and pointing out the window. Heath and I agreed with him and said, "Yeah, B. Daddy's deer is out there." He kept insisting with, "Deer!" We both went to the window and, sure enough, there were deer outside.

Really? Would this not scare you off? I thought it was pretty odd that, even though there's a dead deer hanging in the tree, these two didn't seem to mind.

Oh, me. My mama doe and her two little ones came to graze on the corn and acorns that we had out there. What a strange world!