More sledding and outdoor fun

Claire continues to love the snow and sledding.  Will got a few better pictures of her on a nice sunny day.

Nana tried out the snow chair and found it very comfortable.

 

 

 On another day, not quite as sunny out, another person joined Claire and I on the slopes, can you spot her?

 

Sage really loved sledding.  She gave a huge smile at the bottom of the hills and screamed her displeasure when I sent her in early with her dad so she wouldn't get too cold.

 

We appear not to have any pictures of it, but Lise did warm up to sledding and really has enjoyed it the last few times out.  If it's going to be cold, might as well have lots of snow and be able to be outside and enjoy it!  The entire family went sledding one afternoon, which was lots of fun. 

Christmas randomness

Once everyone was over the stomach flu, we had some pretty good Christmas times, especially seeing family, though the girls might just tell you the presents were their favorite parts.

 

Santa

We've never taken the girls to sit on Santa's lap. They've always been too afraid of strangers, and since it isn't part of our family traditions, we haven't seen the point of forcing them to sit on a stranger's lap to scream for a photo.  But last weekend we were at the river museum and Santa (or one of his helpers anyway) was there, and there happened to be no line when we walked by. 

 

I asked Lise if she wanted to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.  She did! (though she didn't want to sit on his lap, which was fine with me)  She said, "I want a Barbie doll!"  then after he said something about how she looked like a girl that liked dolls she blurted out "I've been good!"

 

 

Claire then came sort of close enough to whisper that she wants a coloring book for Christmas (yes, the only thing on her list).

 

They were very happy with the little mini candy canes and fine with the chance to make sure he knows what they want (they sent a list with St. Nick in their shoes earlier this month, but you never can be too careful about making sure the big guy knows!)

 

Snow!

 

A few weeks ago we got the first real snow of the year. The girls couldn't wait to get out. I had to convince them to wait until after they ate a quick bowl of cereal and it was semi-light outside. Though it unfortunately ruined our planned trip to Madison, we made the best of it and enjoyed that it actually felt like Christmastime.

 

It was Sage's first time out in the snow that she could remember.

  At first she didn't seem to know what to think.

 

However, her sisters were enjoying it, so she did, too.

 

But it got warm again, and the snow melted...

 

Much to the disappointment of our oldest child, who insisted on going to 'play in the snow' after getting home from school the day this photo was taken.

But then last night and today happened, and she was in her element...

 

 

A blizzard! 12+ inches of snow! She was out building snowmen and snow forts and sledding with Lise and her dad and a few neighbor kids this morning, then back out this afternoon for lots more sledding with her dad and just by herself.  She absolutely loves snow! (Excuse the bad picture taken through the door and the bars of the deck - it was blowing and snowing too much to take the camera outside!)

more of the same

Favorite activity: Reading

Probably the girls' most favorite thing to do at home:

 

The light was terrible for this picture, but this is a frequent place we find them - one on each arm with their books:

 

So I guess it's no surprise that someone else is wanting to join the fun:

 

 

 

 

 

 We love to read!

 (not posed, she found the book, and backed herself down into the bean bag - so happy and proud to be acting like the big girls!)

 

*and yes, all or nearly all books pictured are the 'Fairy' books (by 'Daisy Meadows' - four extremely talented authors in their own right (but unnamed) who write for the series). There are at least 100 of these books and luckily more seemingly written every day, which is good because our girls go through them from the library at an amazing rate.  We suspect that they could get a computer program to easily write these books, though all in all, they aren't the worst 'literature' to read out loud to your kids.  Also, Sage does not really want to read baby books most of the time.  She wants the books her older sisters read, and that's it!

Warm day outside

 

A few weeks ago when it was so nice outside the whole family went outside for some fun and games which included...

Soccer...

 

Basketball...

 

Swinging...

 

More soccer...

 

Watching other activities...

 

 

Rope climbing...

 

Jumping over cones...

 

Seeing if cones taste good...

 

Looking rather adorable...

 

and photography...

 

lots and lots of photography.

 

 

an enjoyable day was held by all, a great last warm day of the year!

Three sisters coloring

Sage is very happy when she gets to do what her big sisters are doing.  Here she joins them in a popular activity for the first time - coloring at the little table!

 

I don't think she's enjoying herself at all, do you think?

Best Gift Ever

What is it?? Her sister helps unwrap it...

 

It's her very own soccer ball!

 

Good for catching and throwing...

 

Dribbling (with your arms as you crawl)...

 

Chasing under the furniture...

 

Rolling around on the floor with...

 

 And of course... smothering with your body in excellent saves.  Keeper!!!

 

 Perhaps Sage is extra excited about her soccer ball because she's watched a few good soccer games this fall.  The Loras men's and women's soccer teams are great and both made it to the NCAA D.III National Tournament!  The women won two games before losing in the Sweet 16 round.  The men have kept winning and play in the Final Four on Nov. 30th!  We're a bit soccer-crazy in our house these days, I guess, not just Sage!