Shuffleboard

We decided it was time to add Matthew to the (dutch) shuffleboard (sjoelen) score list when he actually managed to score 26 points one turn. He loves playing at it and is getting pretty good at it too.

Sledding

The first week of January we finally had enough snow to go sledding ... and the best part is that all we have to do is walk to the back field and we got lots of hills to chose from ... as the pictures in the previous post show. We're not sure how good some of those other hills are, it's possible the blowing of the snow made them look better then they are, but for the kids it will keep them busy and happy. I love it that we don't have to make a special trip just to go sledding. No more loading sleds up into the van and trying to work around naps. The kids can just tromp on out there on their own. ... although it's always nice when mom and dad come with them (a comment I overheard one of the girls saying with great excitement when we did go out one afternoon).






The hill we decided was the best to sled on does actually end up on the creek ... so it may not always be an option for the kids, but on this fine day we had a lovely time wearing it in.




Although we have not had a lot of snow this winter we have had mostly cold weather ... a great winter for skating. I had originally stated that I would not let the kids skate on the creek since it is flowing water ... but after seeing how thick the ice is and checking it out myself I guess I'll give in ... as long as I'm confident it's been good and cold long enough to be safe.

The creek was originally flooded during the first freezing of the year. Here Marietta is checking out what happens when the water goes down after a good freezing. The kids thought it was quite amazing how such thick ice could just crack and leave a ledge at the bottom of the hill. Matthew had lots of fun digging under the ice.

Sledding Fun


















































And then Rebecca discovered something even more fun and challenging then just plain old sledding (see Matthew sitting at the bottom of the hill by the cracked ice)

Rebecca heading downhill ..... uh oh starting to wipe out

Wipe Out!!! But ... hanging on to finish the run in sitting position :)

Marietta didn't have as much luck on finishing her trip downhill as "gracefully" as Rebecca

Now if only we could have some more snow that would stick around long enough for the kids to get out and enjoy the hills a bit more often.

From The Back Field

The first week of January we finally got some snow. Unfortunately it didn't stay extremely long, but long enough to enjoy it for a bit.

Our house from the back of the property
































The fields behind our house

Christmas Holidays - Week Two

The second week of the Christmas Holidays was much the same as the first. Something going on each day, but it was a enjoyable business that was relaxing and fun as it wasn't overly busy or rushed ... a sleepover, some swimming, a birthday party, some visiting, etc.

Nephew/Cousin Aiden turned 3 on December 30th



















The girls requested oliebollen (dutch donuts - deep fried yeast dough sprinkled with icing sugar- very greasy, very oilly, very unhealthy) for New Year's Eve/Day. I must have made it last year, or maybe it was two years ago ... I don't remember, but the girls did. Marietta loves to be involved in any sort of interesting baking and so she was my helper for the oliebollen, while Rebecca put her talents to use by keeping Matthew entertained, mostly outside.















































The worst thing about oliebollen, is the stink that the deepfrying creates. Not wanting to be one of those folks that sits in church on new years eve smelling like oliebollen we made sure we were all done by lunch. Thankfully it was a mild enough day that we could have the windows open the whole time (okay the free gas heat we have did help that aspect a bit). Once done we all showered, left the windows open, turned the heat down and we all crawled into our beds for a nice snooze to prepare for the late night ahead .... okay the girls didn't sleep, but they rested and read and were quiet while I did :)

We spent New Year's Eve at Dave and Ange's with a couple other couples. It's so great to live close by now. We let the girls sleep over since they have been begging for months to have a sleep over with Brent and Mitchell and took Matthew home with us. Matthew was up early enough the next morning that I prepped some breakfast and then we headed back over to Dave and Ange's for a breakfast/brunch and some GTing and sledding ... something the girls seem to think is a requirement for New Years Day ... even though we must remind them over and over that snow is required to do this.

So this is the extent of the snow we got for the Christmas Holidays. A piddling little dusting ... but in the kids eyes it was enough to go sleding and GTing ... so we didn't deter them all too much.












































Uh, oh ... wipe out (Brent and Vivian)
















Here's the kid who absolutely hated the sled last year ... yup, no fear this year :)

After nap time we headed over to Ike and Heather's to help Heather celebrate her birthday.

Fondue Fun

Their family had started a puzzle the night before but it turned out to be a bit more challenging then expected, so througout the afternoon everyone would stopped by and spend a few minutes (or more :) trying to figure it out ... when we left it wasn't much further then when we arrived.

"Happy Birthday to You"

Lego .... it's not a word of a lie when the boxes says it's for ages 3-99
Matthew was completely enthralled with this dump truck and it's load of rocks

















Ike and Rob were just as thrilled with the rest of the box and were full of ideas on what to do with this and that

Matthew loves it at Uncle Ike and Aunt Heather's seeing as everyone sort of dots on him there. The kids love to play with him as well as the grown ups ... he fits in well there and always enjoys himself.