Melt, Snow, Melt!!

Well we are definitely sick and tired of the snow. Today is a very nice day, the sun is shining and it's not too cold to go outside, it's just that everything is covered in snow and there's not much to do out there besides tromp around in it. I spent probably 20 minutes rounding up snowsuits, mittens, hats, and boots this morning so we could go outside. The snow, at least in our backyard, is not "snowman snow" so we couldn't really go that route. The sandboxes are covered in snow so we couldn't get in there and dig around either. We just ended up walking through our yard and poor Carson gets so big and poofy in his snowsuit that he ends up falling every few steps and can't get himself back up. It's frustrating for him and it just kinda takes the fun out of being outside. The real treat is when he wants to swing in his snowsuit. I'm sure I look pretty ridiculous trying to wiggle him in and out of the swing. In fact, this morning was the first time I ever actually had to dismantle the swing while he was still inside of it in order to get him out! He was lodged in there so tight, thanks to those boots and that snowsuit, that I actually had to get him on the ground and push my feet against the swing while pulling him out at the same time. It was a sight, I'm sure. Then he said to me, "Swing?" after I just got him out. I said, "No Carson! No more swinging in our snowsuits!" :)

The rest of the morning the boys kept pretty entertained with their I-80 Little Tikes car track. This was something I found on craigslist last summer and instantly said, "I HAVE to get this for the boys!!" It was kinda pricy, since it's considered a major old-school collectible, but it's been worth every penny and I think as the boys get older they'll just continue to enjoy it. It's been downstairs in storage for the last several months, but I brought it up this morning for something new to play with.

Last week I got the boys all excited about going to Holmes Lake and bringing bread to feed the ducks. It was a beautiful day and the boys absolutely loved playing by the water. The ducks never did get close enough to where we could feed them, but I don't think they even cared. They had a ball just standing by the water and throwing rocks. In fact, they just decided to eat the bread we brought along for the ducks as a snack! :)



Just about 1/2 of the track...it's way too big to fit into our living room.





At Holmes Lake.



A Morning At The Mall

This morning the boys and I went to Westfield Mall for a couple hours just to get out of the house. They played in the little PlayTown area for awhile and then we walked over to see the carousel and get ice cream at Runza. Afterwards we just walked around the mall since there is so much to see...it was a nice break from the usual.

After nap we read library books for awhile and then spent the rest of the afternoon in the backyard. They kept so entertained out there by themselves, I was actually able to clean up the kitchen before Noah got home! It was very nice. I kept the screen door open because they were having such a great time walking up the steps into the house, and then back down the steps outside again. It must have jogged Nolan's memory because he started pretending to be the bunnies in one of his stories. There's a part where the Mommy Bunny opens up the screen door to call her baby bunnies into the house for dinner. The babies all say, "Can't we stay outside just a little bit longer?" And so Nolan would run to the door and peek inside saying, "Can't we stay outside for just a little longer?" And so I pretended to be the Mommy Bunny and said, "Just for a couple more minutes, Little Bunny!" This happened probably 15 times. He was really entertained by it too! :)



Each in their respective cars.





Eating ice cream!




Awww...Love this.




"Steady, steady..."




Nolan did NOT want his brother on his side of the trolley...of course that didn't stop Carson from climbing over anyway!




This has become a favorite hang-out spot...it's gotten bad!




But they're hugging!! How can I get mad?




Kisses.




I just love this kid's teeth!



So Many Parks, So Little Time...

First off, let me say I know I've been bad!! It's almost been a week since my last post and so I apologize to all of my "faithful followers" for the lack of updates and pictures. I've once again been occupied with writing a new manuscript and have devoted pretty much every free minute to writing. I'll try and do better. :)

Now I need to try and remember what we even did last week!!.... The boys and I went to Antelope Park twice (I think) and then spent a morning with Auntie Ann at Trentwood Park (a great park that I don't think many people know about because it's kinda hidden behind houses). We took a nice walk through our neighborhood and pretty much spent every moment outside in the sunshine. There's lots of pictures, so I'm just gonna get right to 'em! Enjoy!

Oh, before I forget...In other big news, this past week Mr. Carson has officially mastered how to climb the ladder on our backyard jungle gym. It scares the hell out of me, since he seems to enjoy dangling from the top bar, but he hasn't fallen yet...fingers crossed!



Wrestling match.





Poor Carson...




Nolan wins!




Nolan made a campfire and lined up all of his "marshmallows" to roast. Actually were mom's cottonballs, but they worked perfectly.





Exploring at the sand and water table.





Poor Carson...his ear looks like that of the deformed guy in The Goonies (of course it's the slide, but still!).





Cute pic!!





Nolan looks so cute here!




Antelope Park.




Nolan was fascinated by the alphabet board.





Nolan's very skilled at the ladders...even these scary ones!




Following a bird.




We spend lots of our time underneath the trees.




Nolan's great find...a real bird feather!




Nolan said, "Look mom, I'm a bird sitting!"





Tough guys.




Carson was doing some serious swinging with this stick. Everytime I threw it, he would track it like a hawk and always bring it back!




This was a cute moment...Nolan and these boys were throwing leaves together and laughing.




I think he's studying an acorn here...not sure.




Nolan climbing the "mountain."




Walking through our neighborhood. It wasn't chilly, just really windy.





Love this face!





Carson saying, "cheeks!"




At Trentwood Park.





And the boys found a tree to climb...




Don't worry, no one fell out!




I love Nolan's expression here.