Snow Time!

Yesterday this little lady begged me to build a snowman with her.

I looked out the window, and could FEEL the ice shimmying it's way into my boots and gloves and wanted with all my heart to say no.  But, we had a similar conversation last time it snowed that ended in no ice for me and disappointment for her.  I just couldn't handle that sad face again.  Plus the three other girls had just gone down for naps, so I thought we might actually have a shot at finishing. 

So we bundled up, and out we went. While I was technically helping her, I pretty much just started the snow balls and then let her have at it (until the end when she started to lose patience and the babies began to wake up). 




At one point I got this silly notion in my head that maybe I could actually get some nice snow portraits of her, so I asked her to look at my camera.  This is what I got:



The one on the left is her token "What?" face these days.  Every time she doesn't know what I'm talking about, she gives me this face.  The other is just testament to the fact that I have kids with big mouths...especially when they're missing their two front teeth.

Her boots and scarf got rather caked in snow at one point.


So she took a cookie break


Then she decided there wasn't enough snow in the ENTIRE BACK YARD, so we headed out to the front.



There may have been more snow eating than snowman making at that point.



She also decided it would be fun to kick snow at me.  She was pretty proud of herself. 


At some point, she decided the scarf was too much of a hassle and lost it.



Then she got back to work.



The only thing that would convince her that that head was too small was telling her the carrot wouldn't fit in it...(she was ready to be done at that point).

Then Hannah woke up and decided to come help...but she ended up mostly eating snow and picking icicles off the van. 


For the record, I do tell my kids not to eat snow.  They just don't listen to me...of course, it probably doesn't help that I'm behind the camera, snapping pictures of them eating the snow while I'm telling them not to...note to self, no more snow eating pictures.

In the end, we did finally finish the snowman.



Well, snow kid really...I doubt he was three feet tall.  But naps are only so long. 

He seems like a happy little guy, and in the end I wound up with a happy little girl.



Hopefully this will curb her snowman building craving until next year.  

The Way I View - Blessings

I think the topic this month was particularly fitting for me.  True, everyone else in the US was also celebrating Thanksgiving this month, and most likely feeling especially grateful for all of their blessings.  But I have to say, I have really felt the Lord's hand in our lives lately.

There is seriously no doubt in my mind that He led us to this home.  We really had no intention of moving at the beginning of Summer, and before the end of the summer, we were in our new home.  And let me tell you, it has been SUCH a blessing.  Not just for the extra space, but it just feels like everything is better for us here.  The school is wonderful, the neighbors are so friendly and kind, the ward has been so welcoming.  At first I was a little bit nervous about the transition for the kids, but even they just love it here.  It truly feels like home. 

Yes, we miss our old neighborhood, and being so close to good friends, but the Lord knew what he was doing when he put us here.  And for that, I am so grateful. 

Now head on over to MelissaGibson's blog to check out another blog circle's take on gratitude.