Winter--it's been fun!

It's been a long time, but not because we haven't been busy and full of things to say (just ask anyone who gets on the phone with me).
We are loving the winter--a particularly snowy one for CT this year!
My boys may be happiest in the winter--they find so many fun things to do in the snow.

They don't necessarily like the responsibility of snow removal--though they would take it over any form of house-work.

We have changed our eating habits pretty significantly during the past few months. The boys aren't thrilled with all the changes, but they can really get into our morning smoothies--if there is enough fruit.

They started a new chant:

You hoot, I hoot, we all hoot for ice fruit!

If it is too green and Kale-ish, it isn't as appetizing for them, but they still drink a little. Eli has become quite a pro at making them for the family.

The kids are really enjoying the neighborhood boys. There were quite a few snow days this year, so I often had 8 boys playing nerf wars in my basement.

When there isn't a snow day, my kids can't wait until their friends get home from school, and will camp outside, waiting for the bus to drop them off.

The boys, and friend Johnny, dug a nice deep hole in the snow in the front yard. The hole was at least 4 feet deep. It was pretty cool until David was out playing king of the mountain with the boys and Eli was knocked into the hole, bum-first. He could not move and if David hadn't been there it would have taken some pretty significant mamma-strength to get him out. We decided no more deep, narrow-ish holes.We have also really enjoyed watching the wild-life around our house. I love to see the cute squirrel, deer, and chipmunk prints on the snow.

We spent over an hour one morning watching an interesting Owl verses Crows stand-off in one of our big oak trees. These crows were edging their way closer to the owl (I can see why a group of crows is called a murder--they can look pretty creepy). It looked like they were trying to get him to leave. We found out later that they were all desperate for a squirrel the owl had caught. We discovered this when the squirrel leaped out of the owl's nest and sped down the tree trunk (about 30 minutes after we started watching).

There were lots of oohs, ahhhs, and screams coming from inside our house, but the creatures didn't seem to notice.

One crow (there were at least 7 in the beginning) and the owl flew up and rested on the tree closer to our house where the squirrel had run. I took this shot of all three of them--waiting. (the squirrel ended up getting away--at least for awhile).

It was so interesting.

I just love the winter sunlight pouring into my kitchen--it makes things so cheery (not including the highlighting of finger-prints on my black appliances, of course).

*My sweet friend, Miss Angie, sent me that adorable heart apron. She said when she saw it she knew it was meant for me. I love it!! I am just happier cooking/cleaning/mothering when I have it on!

And, The Grand Finale:

The middle bathroom (mostly complete)

Isn't it happy?!

hallelujah chorus

Cool experience!

Our friends, the Treadwells, heard about a minister who was organizing a flash mob singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. Anyone who knew their part was welcome to join in on the sing at the local mall (Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester, CT).

It was at 3:00pm on a Sunday afternoon, and we decided it would be a neat thing to witness, so we packed up our families and headed over. *Eli commented that he had never been to a mall on a Sunday before--I let him know that I didn't think I ever had either.

We weren't sure how the turn out would be, so we took place in the outskirts near the big yellow advertisement sign. Pretty soon we were packed in tight. When the trumpet started to play and the conductor's arms went up, the number of voices we heard was awesome!

We were possibly the only members of our own faith represented there that afternoon, but what a thrill to be surrounded by fellow Christians, belting out a song in praise of the Savior of us all!

*You can always pick out David holding Isaac, and Gabe's best buddy Chase, who is in front of the yellow sign, on his dad's shoulders. Look for the rest of us.

Merry Christmas!

All Isaac wanted was a T-Rex Birthday

Isaac Warner is now 3 years old! I just can't believe it.
I guess that it feels like he has been a part of the family for at least that long, but he is Lolla-pop--he can't grow up!

He didn't really grasp the whole birthday thing--I'm not so good at teaching my kids the answers to crazy questions like, "How old are you?", so he was completely clueless that there was a number associated with him. All he knew was that he was going to have a party.

And, from the beginning he was adamant that his would be a "T-Rex Birthday". He practiced his growl and roar all week.

See, he wasn't thinking about getting T-Rex toys, he was thinking about being a scarey T-Rex, himself. All the rest of the birthday stuff was just perks. And he got some fun perks:

His cake may not look like much, but it was a fun licorice-spewing volcano, complete with 3 T-Rex dinosaurs, and Isaac thought it was great fun to play with.

Well, he chased and roared and growled to exhaustion (not unlike most days, except for the exhaustion part):Isaac sure has been an exciting 2 year old --3 should prove interesting!

We don't know what life would be like without this entertaining and constant little fellow. He is truly adored by all in our household, and has gripped the hearts of many outsiders--there is just something so fascinating and un-ignorable about our Moss boys, especially our Isaac-a-lolla!

A MARY POPPINS HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Yes, it has finally happened.
I've looked forward to this day for quite some time.

Aren't we cute?!



Okay, so we aren't exactly Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and some of our penguins are a bit large (one is admittedly a Vampire Penguin--how else do you talk an 11 year old into being a penguin for Halloween?).

A couple of years ago I highlighted family halloween themed pictures from our past to prove the point that my husband loves me--well, he must still really adore me! He was willing not only to put on the assigned clothing (a suit made out of old curtains--how very Sound-of-Music of me, eh?), but to do it while feeling rather under the weather.

Thank you, my David!!

Another Halloween come and gone.
What should we be next year? Hmmmm.

A great Birthday

My 33rd birthday was spent out in Kent, CT hiking next to a waterfall, collecting pretty leaves with Gabriel, enjoying charming New England covered bridges, and spending time with my sweet cousin Tobra and her family.

It was wonderful. I really just feel so happy when I can be out enjoying a beautiful scene.

Okay, so I talked my kids and husband (he is the hardest) into a number of pictures, since it was my birthday. My cousin's husband Mark took most of them--thanks Mark!

I call this next picture my Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde picture--can you see why? We laughed for quite awhile over this one: (Isn't my Little Miss Sunshine shirt cute?!!)

33!

My kids thought I had already been 33, and was turning 34--so it is like I got a year younger! Thanks boys!

Yosemite, wow!

When I am immersed in nature, it is like being in the temple. I just love the beautiful things Heavenly Father and our Savior have given us to enjoy and to help us remember Them.

Pictures just don't do this beautiful place justice, but . . .
they must suffice for now.



What a beautiful experience, made all the better because we were able to share it with Bella Nonna and Grandpa Von!

*There were many active-retired people out hiking these trails, and they got a kick out of hearing things like, "slow down Grandpa, you're going to fast!"
There is one picture in there where grandma has her hand on Eli's back, encouraging him along. We are so lucky to have healthy and active grandparents to do this fun stuff with!!!!