Ezra celebrated his 5th birthday this week with a trip to the zoo where it seemed like all the animals came out to celebrate. He loved seeing the snow leopard who rarely makes an appearance and walking with the penguins who were hanging out on the path. We then came home to enjoy Ezra's pick of a strawberry cake and of course presents!
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I have always wanted to try snowshoeing, and while Matt got to do a little in January, I had never been. So we decided to do a quick getaway (the two of us plus Isaac) for a couple of nights to go up in the mountains for some snowshoeing while the big kids stayed with Nana and Grandad and enjoyed sledding at our house. I think everyone had a good time and we may try more of it as the kids get older and can join us for mountain snowshoe adventures!
We spent the last Sunday of January taking a snowy 5 mile hike around Spruce Mountain with Nana and Grandad. The boys hiked the whole way despite the snowy and icy conditions, and Ruth hiked halfway before deciding to eat a snack on Matt's back while I carried Isaac. It was a beautiful hike and it was so nice to be back out on the trails again.
We rang in February with about 8 inches of snow, much to the kids' excitement. As soon as it warmed up a little the kids and I were out in the snow to play (or wade in Ruth's case) until we got cold and came in to admire the snowy world through the windows. The last week of January brought some very special visitors: three generations of Matt's family same to stay with us for a week! Aunt Meredith, Grandma, and Great-Grandma drove from Newburgh to our house in a day bearing food, gifts, crafts, and lots more helping hands to spoil our wonderful children! It was so much fun to have them all here as we spent the week playing games, working puzzles,, playing outside, crafting (Meredith is the queen of cute crafts and had my house ready for Valentine's Day before she left), and showing them a few of our favorite family hikes. Isaac received all the cuddles and was held for every nap, which he absolutely loved; Ruth had an endless audience for games, which she loved; Ezra had more than one set of hands to work puzzles and play games with him, which he loved; and Micah got a new Lego kit as an early birthday present, which, you guessed it, he loved. We also continued the tradition of celebrating Ezra and Aunt Meredith's birthdays together that we started back in Ohio, including having a cookie cake! At the end of the week, Matt and Micah went on an overnight Father-Son trip in which they hiked up a mountain to a backcountry hut with a bunch of other dads with kids and they all played and spent the night before hiking back out the next day. Micah was nervous about going without Ezra but ended up having a great time, especially enjoying some epic sledding!
It was so much fun to see everyone for this week, and we can't wait until next time! We rang in the New Year with a new snowfall that my children quickly took advantage of, though we didn't last too long because it was COLD! Isaac stayed warm inside with Dad. Once back inside the kids set to work on a project Grandma previously brought: making their own roller coaster. With Dad's help, they got it finished in just a few days. We also decided to ring in the New Year with a house project: turning a hall closet into a more functional mudroom space for our family. The vision was to remove the doors, open up the wall, and create organized cubby space for each child. Grandad generously listened to my vision and plans and agreed to be my builder, so over the course of a couple of weeks we got a brand new space in our back closet to house all the things when we come in from the garage. The kids helped with parts of the project too. And of course, somewhere in the middle of all this, our littlest member turned 2 months old! Isaac is a very happy baby, who likes to cuddle during the day and is sleeping great at night. His siblings see to it that he is always looked after and entertained, and Dad sees to it that the mohawk is kept sharp!
After a year and a half (thanks COVID), we are finally reunited with our cousins! My brother and his family came to visit between Christmas and New Years and the kids were so excited! When we both lived in the mid-west, we would see each other every couple of months (we lived only 4 hours apart), but now that we live 16 hours apart, it is a lot more challenging! In addition to celebrating Christmas and some cousin play time, we also took them to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to see the Safari Lights display. It was little colder this second visit, but we still had a blast!
The weeks leading up to Christmas have been a bit of a blur as the everyday chores combined with the extra Christmas prep, but we made it! We enjoyed some Christmas movies this season, making Christmas gifts, and preparing for our cousins to arrive the day after Christmas. My Grandma Pat was here for a few weeks and we took her to see the Electric Safari Lights at the zoo one mild evening. On Christmas Eve, I organized a short candlelight service before bed for the kids and I in which we sang some Christmas carols, read the Christmas story, and lit candles to celebrate the coming of Jesus. Christmas morning was spent with Nana and Grandad and Dad (who has Christmas off this year!). We had a nice breakfast and then opened stockings and presents. The rest of the day was spent playing with gifts. Micah spent the whole day building his new Lego electric train all by himself, and he did an awesome job. Ezra and Ruth played with the new magnatiles and we read some new books. Isaac slept, lol. The next week will be busy with our cousins here to celebrate!
This December our house is full, both literally and figuratively. So much to be thankful for, and so many people to come celebrate with us! After Grandma and Grandpa returned home, my friend Krista came for a visit and brought the kids their first Christmas present of the season: a gymnastics bar! It is a huge hit and new tricks are being learned right and left. We cooked, played, and cuddled during her short time with us and can't wait for her next visit!
We're ready for Christmas! We spent the week decorating the tree, making gingerbread houses and hanging out with grandparents, so it was a good one! Our family even snuck away for a family photo shoot, but hang tight for the results at Christmas time! Isaac is as sweet and cuddly as ever, and Micah, Ezra, and Ruth like doting on him whenever possible. The kids also enjoyed learning a new game that Grandma and Grandpa brought, as well as playing outside a lot in some beautiful weather. Once company left, we spent a few days working on Christmas gifts for family members, which the kids were awesome at making this year. It's a busy house this time of year!
Happy Thanksgiving! We were greeted with snow the day before Thanksgiving, which Ruth and Ezra got out in for a short time, mostly just to eat the snow, lol. Thanksgiving Day brought Isaac's first party, with family and friends invited over for a Thanksgiving meal together (15 people in total!). Grandma and Grandpa rolled in just in time for our early dinner (Matt had to go to work in the evening) ready to spend a long weekend with us. Grandpa enjoyed some chess with Ezra and the kids took everyone on a walk through Fountain Creek. Grandpa had to head home after the weekend, but Grandma stayed with us for the next week, playing soccer, games, and enjoying Isaac cuddles. We have been very loved on, which has helped give everyone the attention they love, even with a new baby in the house!
For his part, Isaac has shown himself to be a very laid back baby, sleeping, eating, and pooping without interruption. His first week home, he did not want to sleep at night unless I was holding him, but he's now happy to sleep in his crib right next to me with minimal waking at night for a meal and diaper change. During the day, he sleeps wherever, no matter the noise level, and likes to watch his siblings play. For their part, Micah, Ezra, and Ruth like to check on Isaac throughout the day and have been helpful in keeping him happy. They adore their little brother. |
AuthorWe are a father and a mother doing our best to raise our children with God's guidance. Archives
April 2020
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