It's Snow Fun!

The kids had fun playing in the snow one Saturday in mid-December.  (Little did they know, in a couple of weeks the real snow would appear!)

Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel had an off-track experience, thanks to Jack.
No matter how many times we try to convince him that wooden toys don't
belong outside or in the bath, he just doesn't agree.

Cutest snow bunny ever.

Attempting to build a snowman.

Hard work!

Our friend Troy brought his son Conner over to increase the snow fun.

 

Ben and Troy might have had more fun throwing snowballs than the children. 

Watch out, Daddy!  Cat's gonna get you!

But Daddy has a plan to get revenge.

Whoa!

It's all fun and games, until Eliza gets caught in the snowball crossfire.

I've had good advice from a couple of locals who told me last year that in order to be happy in this area, you just have to find a way to enjoy the winter.  (Advice that wasn't as necessary last year as it has been this year!  We had significantly warmer than average weather last winter and significantly colder than average weather this winter.  Ughh.)

One family makes a point to go outside every day, even if it means wearing 17 layers to stay warm.  Another family took up skiing and look forward to hitting the slopes every chance they get.  I think we've just tried to make it a point to do more things outside than we normally would, and to try to let our kids go outside when they want to, even if it means spending 10 minutes getting them dressed, letting them play for 5 minutes, then spending 10 minutes cleaning up after them when they come in wet and snowy.  I won't say we always have a good attitude about it, and we don't go out with them as often as they would like, but it's a start, right?