Best NC snow day ever!

Last week we got 6+ inches of fluffy, packable snow! The kids had never seen this much snow before. Before playing we had to get jobs done. Grace decided that shoveling would be easier then cleaning inside. I looked out the window and found her like this after 10 minutes. She has never shoveled snow before and did not realize how much work it is! Snow melts here so fast, there is usually no point in shoveling. And before you laugh at us leaving out the hammock, Just last Sunday I went out and used it. It elevates my foot perfectly. The chickens just wouldn't leave me alone. They kept pecking at my hair hanging down through the ropes. Silly birds!

We found a park in town with a great sledding hill. Parking is right at the top of the hill so I could put my foot up on the dashboard and rest it while the kids played and watch them.  We miss our front  yard sledding at William Wallace. I think all of  our neighbors do too! Our renters are not super friendly so the neighborhood kids don't feel like they can sled there anymore.

 Sophie was playing with Abby and fell jumping off the trampoline. She hurt her arm so didn't want to sled. I ended up taking her to the doctor just for them to tell me there was nothing wrong:) This was after 4 days and she was still complaining. Poor kid.

Finally

We have lived here for over a year and I finally got our clock fixed. It stopped working at the William Wallace house and when we moved here never was fully unpacked. With Jason's reminder I finally called a kind older man who came and fixed it along with setting it up. It nice to hear, better then I remember. I worried that in this smaller house the tones would be too loud, but they are not at all. The girls especially are enjoying it. They say that it reminds them of their childhood. It is odd for me to think of my kids growing up here in the South. That they will identify as Southerners, that this is home. We are supposed to get another 4-8 inches of snow tonight. In the past 2 weeks my kids have only gone 2 1/2 days to school. I am not sure how they will make it all up!

Snow Day! Again!

This was the view out my window this morning!

 Jason was up first, before 6, and came in and told me school was canceled. We had no idea it was going to snow! Wasn't forecast at all yesterday. Crazy NC weather. My view for the past 11 days has been this...

plus or minus a few kids. My foot is doing ok. I knew it would be really painful, but it is still surprising. I am so grateful that we have medical technology and health insurance so I could get my foot fixed though. Here is an xray from after my surgery. I wish I could say I had a bionic foot, it feels mostly like a Franken foot right now. Doctor says I will be able to run and walk pain free as long as I heal ok. He was surprised just how bad the inflamed tendon was was once he got my foot open.

This is my other view, out the windows behind the couch. I have enjoyed the snow as much as you can without being able to play or be out in it.

I let Grace take my camera outside this morning. She got some really great pictures. Along with lots of selfies of all varieties. All the rest of these pictures are by her! 

 

 I love that she is still making snow angels!

Buzz

Noah decided today to have me cut his hair. Off. In the middle of winter. But it is NC. Most days are not too cold. He looks so different to me! I like that he is so sure of how he wants to wear his hair and is ok changing it. I wanted to leave it a little longer in the front to gel up, but Noah just wanted a pure buzz cut. Grace and Sophie put all the hair out in the yard for the birds to use in their nests. Nice photo bomb by G too...

Karate & Catch up

 Noah competed in his first karate tournament this January. He earned a third place finish in one of he categories: Randori. We were all super proud of him!

He also earned his third degree orange belt this term. He still competed with yellow belts for the tournament. We are so proud of how well he listens and works in his karate class.

 When we moved the boys bedroom downstairs and Jayden upstairs the marble game was rediscovered. I hoped to get a picture of all 4 kids playing together. It was fun to see them play exactly the same way I used to with my brothers and sisters.

 Last Saturday Grace made a homemade chocolate cream pie. She read the recipe in a book and wanted to try it. The pie was delicious with just a bit of help from mom to know when it was done cooking. Also reminds me of myself as a kid!

 We finally got snow! I was beginning to think we would have our first snow free winter in NC. We got about 3 inches 2 nights ago. Kids are still not back in school tomorrow. It is really cold and the snow and ice are not melting much at all. Jayden played "rugby" with the kids all afternoon. The girls played for a while and then Abby and they took turns being huskies and pulling each other around on the sled. Dad was not home today to give tractor rides and there is not a sledding hill in sight. I am either on the couch or my bed as my foot heals from surgery.

Yay for snow!

Hockey! NC style

 Jason's friend from work gave us his air hockey table. We have had a blast today playing each other. Grandma Smith taught Sophie about seeding and brackets and then helped her organize a family tournament. And, no surprise, Sophie then won the tournament! Sophie was first, Jason second, I was third and Grandma Smith 4th.

Luke & Noah's Baptism & Birthday

 On Tuesday, December 30, 2014 Luke and Noah were baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by Jason. It was a really special day. Grandma and Grandpa Smith, Emilee & Talus and Bayden and Grandma Hardy were able to be with us. Mom and Dessa said the prayers and bore a short testimony. Dad and Logan Williams were the witnesses. Kathy Bellows played the piano, Jared Lindsay gave the talk about baptism and confirmation.

 Jason forgot his white pants at home so he got to wear this sweet baptism suit from the closet. Before the confirmations I bore a short testimony of the power of the atonement and how taking the sacrament and repenting can continue to cleanse us through out our lives. Also how proud I was of Noah and Luke for the choices they have made in life so far. But also, for what they do when they make a mistake and choose to repent and turn to the Lord.

Jared Lindsay & the boys

A lot more people from our ward came then I expected. The room was packed, Bishop Williams had to keep going to get more chairs. The confirmation circle included Peter Lindsay, Logan and Sherman Williams, Derek Pierce, Kevin Bellows and Grandpa Smith. Jason had a really powerful experience giving both boys the gift of the Holy Ghost. He felt the spirit differently then he ever had before. Luke said that he felt the spirit strongest as he was confirmed. Noah said he felt the spirit when he came out of the water after being baptized and I could tell he was feeling the spirit as I shared my testimony of the Savior. He actually teared up and I could tell from his countenance that he felt the Holy Ghost.Noah had to be baptized twice, the first time his hand was holding onto Jason's arm and did not get immersed. I felt so grateful for family to share the boys baptism with, and also a ward family that I feel so loved by.

I know this is not a great picture, it's the only one I got of the olive penguins we made. They turned out so cute!

 Happy 8th Birthday!

 Pinewood Derby cars! A gift from Luke and Noah's new cub scout pack. They are SO excited for scouts!

The girls presents to their brothers were a hit, instantly.

The talking hamsters from Grandma and Grandpa Smith, also an instant hit. These silly things repeat everything you say. Lots and lots of giggling...and potty language in little rodent voices. Grandma and Grandpa Smith also gave the boys treasure chests, Grandma Hardy and Papa ( in spirit) gave the boys cool hunting and fishing vests and their wolf handbooks for scouts.

Auntie Em being festive. Everything is always more fun with Emilee around!