Winter White

Although the temperatures this Winter have been much more mild than I'd expected, the snowfall definitely piles up quickly!  We've had a handful of days where we'll get dumped on...2+ feet of snow at a time!  Luckily our power didn't go out a single time (which is a common occurrence in this area due to trees falling down in the woods and heavy snow weighing down power lines).  

The snowshoes that the boys received over the Holidays from Aunt Barb and Uncle Norm have been a bit hit!

Ready for adventure on the conservation trails that back up to our property!

Let's go!

And they're off!

Little legs working double time to keep up!

Dramatic finale.

And the the snow just keeps on coming (ok, so this IS pretty...to look at from inside...or better yet - on a postcard)...

Backyard vibes.

My kind of snow day (if that exists): 

Putting them to work as I supervise from my warm kitchen!

We had to shovel a walkway for Kira!

Maybe next time we should make a maze??

I caught these two warming up inside after some outdoor playtime.  So adorable!

"...And there's a tree.  And there's your leash.  And there's the snowman.  And you tried to eat him."

Weekends & snow days are when Daddy gets to attempt dangerous stunts with his toddlers...

Bryon's ski school (not insured).

Backyard adventures.

And just when we've had enough cold and snow, there's extra love bursting through to keep us warm!  I got out of the shower one cold, winter morning and found these two surprise visitors in my bed.  Yes, please!

So much for "no dogs allowed on the bed."

First time to the Dentist

After moving to the Boston area, we just found out that our insurance (unknowingly) enrolled us in dental care for our children.  We've been paying for this for the last 6 months, so I might as well use it!

Deklan was a champ and charmed his hygienist the entire appointment.  He was more than happy to accommodate her as she counted his teeth and polished them.  He walked away with a clean bill of health and a new toothbrush (as well as a few toys from the treasure chest).

Getting acquainted.  "You're going to do what??"

Chatting it up.

Passing with flying colors!

Teeth cleaned - onto breaking hearts!

 A few weeks later it was Maksim's turn to visit the dentist.  He's not as fearless as Deklan when it comes to dentists and doctors - which is interesting because he's never been seriously injured.  In fact, he's never been to the dentist and he's only gone to a doctor for routine checkups.  However, he's at the age where everybody at school needs a bandaid or ice pack for one thing or another!  And, he did see us take Deklan to the emergency room for stitches last Fall, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Anyhow, Maksim's visit went without a hitch...except for the fact that HE HAS TWO CAVITIES!  What?!  We visited a holistic dentist in the area for a second opinion, and they agreed with the diagnosis and course of treatment.  These cavities need to be filled, so finding the right dentist (and product) to do so will be on my to-do list.  In the meantime, it's electric toothbrushes with xylitol gel paste, probiotics to balance the gut, and vitamin D3 taken in combination with K2 (in the form of ghee).  I've also found these great xylitol lollipop alternatives.  I keep them on hand to trade with my kids whenever they go somewhere that offers them a piece of candy or dum-dum sucker.

Doing our best to keep this smile bright and body healthy.

Holiday Season 2016

The end of 2016 really seemed to fly by!  We celebrated xmas with gifts at home on the 24th.

Christmas 2016

Gifts were fun this year.  Nothing extravagant, but the little gifts received as much praise as the big ones - tablets, bike bells, temporary tattoos, chapstick, pajamas, costumes, snow shovels, sleds...everything was a hit!  Per usual, Kira received some squeaker tennis balls and a "special" gift from the boys - one that they pick out on their own.  She was just as pleased with her gifts as they were with theirs.

Maksim seemed most excited about his full face snorkel and fins.  He's been requesting them for quite some time.  During our 2015 vacation to Hawaii, he was too scared to put on a snorkel mask.  He spent our snorkeling time looking through the viewing window of a boogie board (which worked just fine).  Now, he's ready to graduate to an actual mask and fins.  It was the perfect time to gift him a set and have him practice at the fitness center pool as we'll be traveling to Jamaica for a week come March.  Deklan (our water-fearing child...well, when the water touches his face that is) even gave it a try!

On the 25th, we hopped on a plane for a week long vacation in Iowa at Uncle Tyler and Aunt Katherine's house.  The boys could not have been more excited!

Extended family Xmas is just around the corner/across the country!

Excited to try out the Xmas gift!

Learning everything about everything.

The flight to get from New Hampshire to Iowa couldn't have gone more smoothly.  We took off around 12:30pm - we usually have early morning flights and it was so nice to have the extra time in the morning to pack, eat and make our way to the local regional airport (as opposed to the 1:15 drive to Boston Logan).  An easy flight to Detroit, the perfect amount of layover (just enough time to get off one plane, casually walk to the next terminal and arrive at the new gate just as it was time to board) and before we knew it we were in Cedar Rapids (before dinnertime!).  Talk about stress free - even when on crutches!  It's bittersweet - the boys getting older.  Traveling is getting considerably easier without the naptime interruptions and extra/necessary items to bring along (this was the first time we didn't need a stroller!)...but where have my babies gone???

Sprinting to their final destination.  Uncle Tyler & Aunt Katherine, we're almost there!

These jet setters know the routine.

*I can't help but include the layover mishap: Deklan's first experience with a moving sidewalk.  Much different than Maks, who was running on it in the wrong direction for a workout in Miami when he was 18 months old!*

After the kids went to bed, we spent the evening cooking and baking and doing whatever other preparations necessary for our extended family/friend gathering that my brother was hosting the following day.  It was the second time my brother & sister-in-law have hosted the Holiday gathering and the turn out continues to make me smile (I think the headcount was over 60).  I'm so thankful that my family was able to attend this year, again!

Cookies made by yours truly!

And a shout out to Bryon for being a sport and making these Pinterest pinecones.  Halfway expected a pinterest fail.  Instead, I ended up with awesome pinecones and a cranky husband.  He made 5 instead of 12, but I'll take it.  Ha!

Bryon's Pinterest pinecones!

Leave it to Aunt Katherine to make arrangements for a sleigh ride around her property!  The snow was absent, but that didn't stop us from having fun being towed around the acreage by these beautiful horses!  The kids (and adults) loved it!

Sleigh Ride time!

Look at this merry bunch!  Cold & windy!

Thanking the horses for the sleigh ride.

Our trip back to Iowa wouldn't ever be complete without a special visit to Aunt Barb and Uncle Norm's house.  We're especially thankful to see them this year because we are no longer in Florida (where we were all but guaranteed a visit with them when they made their yearly trip South to escape Midwestern winters).  Ahhh, I'm still missing Florida!!!  Summertime at Aunt Barb & Uncle Norm's is always a hit - the river, the boating, the company!  But the most cherished is clearly the company - as we have just much fun visiting in the middle of winter as we do in the middle of the summer!

Maksim & Deklan each received snow shoes!  They can't wait to try them out in the New England snow!

We managed to make a trip out to see Cathy and Kris Hill - who spoil our kids to no end.  Pizza, ice cream, games and tv!  Plus, 3 big, friendly dogs and more attention than our boys knew what to do with!  There's nothing better than visiting with friends who make you feel like family!  I have a feeling my boys will be begging to visit again in the summer so they can jump in the pool!

Tic-Tac-Toe

"See ya later" not "goodbye"

We kept our week long visit pretty low key, which was a great decision.  Most of our days were open.  I tried to only schedule 1 visit/activity per day - and usually only between 4-6pm.  That gave us most of our time to visit with family and relax.  Uncle Tyler kept our bellies filled with amazing food and Aunt Katherine kept our boys stinky with barn work (kidding...kind of).  The boys enjoyed doing whatever they could with Tyler & Katherine (work or play).  There was no shortage of fun.

Ok, so this was lacking in fun (for me).  Strategy game with 2 strategists?  Katherine was smart enough to sneak away to do barn work!

Customers in Training

Deklan's first (of many to come) ride.

She's always on top of her "spoiling-the-nephews" game!

We finished our stay with an Ugly Sweater Holiday Party at my cousin's house on New Year's Eve.  Nothing like a New Year's celebration to make me feel OLD!  Haha.  On the plus side, we made it to midnight!  That's reason for celebration in itself!  Can't remember the last year we weren't in bed by 9pm on December 31st!

Our trip home had a few extra bumps, but we made it.  Originally, we were scheduled to be home around 6pm.  A flight cancellation, a 5 hour layover AND a flight delay later...we were feeling a little less guilty of the tablets (xmas presents) we purchased the boys for use while traveling.  It may have been 1:15am when we finally pulled into the driveway and walked through our front door, but we made it!

Bedtime at the airport - LONG layover.

Down for the count.

Zzzz...

Troopers at nearly 1 o'clock in the morning.  Waiting for curbside pickup, compliments of Daddy.

Bring on 2017!