Asher

The snow was really too deep for him to maneuver in his ski pants and boots... the sled it is :)

He is such a snow baby!

 He loves eating it, playing in it, sledding... he almost never is ready to come inside.

Solo trip down the hill.

  

Loving it.

What a big boy!!!

Even from the rear, I think he looks so cute in his snow suit.

Fussing... silly boy expects his sled ride up the hill.

He is not one to complain for any length of time. He will figure out a way to accomplish it himself!!!!!

This time it appears that sitting in the snow was just as satisfactory!

A few minutes later, I glanced his direction to discover he had gotten up and hiked a bit further to reach the area under the tree with no snow. He was sitting there giggling as the water dripped from the trees onto his face!!!

Luke

Here he comes!

This pic cracks me up. Aidan was just sitting there as Luke flew by!

♥ My favorite ♥

Great run!

Aidan

This is THREE separate series of pics!

Set 1:

Ready.

Woah!

♥ My favorite ♥

Perfect balance.

He did it!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Set 2:

Here he comes.

Look at that intent expression... planning to mow me down.

Just kidding... he taps me as he sails past!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Set: 3

Last sled with which to experiment.

And over he goes :)

Trains

So much more fun that sledding alone.

Not quite connected.

Much better!

Almost ready.

Here they come!

Uphill teamwork.

Slippery!

Getting fancy.

Waking Up to Snow

TEN inches!

Luke rolled and carved out a chair.

Aidan built a snowman.

Luke and Aidan

Aidan and I then built an upside-down snowman.

  

Patrick and Rachel.

♥ I am still "head over heels" in love with my man ♥

Playdoh

2 ingredients (hair conditioner and corn starch). 3 if you count the food coloring.

We had fun making this, but I much prefer my good ol' homemade cooked playdoh.

3 busy boys enjoying the sticky dough (needed more corn starch).

Asher continued to play LONG after his brothers quit. By the time he finished up, the dough was no longer sticky but almost too dry.

Here is a recipe I might try next time:

You need:

• 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
• food colouring (optional)
• few drops glycerine (optional- adds more shine!)

Method:

• Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
• Add the boiling water 
• Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
• Add the food colouring and glycerine (both optional)
• Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
• (If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right)

Already I predict a few of my own changes: add the oil, salt, and food coloring to the boiling water instead!!!

Making Mist

It totally works!!!

All you need is boiling water and subfreezing temps (and a child who is old enough to understand and execute with precision).

Thank you, Granddaddy and Grandma

First Hike of 2014

He hears a bird in the distance! 

Good thing we brought our cameras. Turns out these are Red Crossbills. Not many sightings this year and made even rarer by the presence of white wing bars!

Checking the ice on the lake.

♥ FOREVER ♥

Patterns IN and ON the snow!

Meandering tracks.

 Boots in the blind.

Almost home!