Our Skinny, Pathetic Snowman

Matthew and the girls have tried a few times to make a snowman. They wanted to make a huge one that would last a long time, but the snow is not the typical wet snow we get here and it won't stick together very well. So today, Matthew helped the neighbor kids make one, but it it didn't turn out as large as they wanted it too. Oh well, at least we have one now and gives us something to laugh about.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

Every time I look outside, I just can't believe how much snow we have. It is the most snow I have seen here in my whole life. It snowed all day Saturday and much of Sunday and it's sticking around much longer than expected. It has cancelled many plans, including my sister being stuck in SLC since Saturday trying to get home for Christmas. But it is also a lot of fun. We (well mostly the kids) have done lots of sledding and playing in the snow. Matthew has been home a lot since getting to OHSU has been tricky. But I am getting tired of the huge pile of wet snow clothes on the floor by the back door.
It's looking like we may have a White Christmas which will be fun!

For some reason, the kids haven't touched the backyard, so it is beautiful to look out the window.

Snow Day

We are having unusually cold, snowy, windy weather. Matthew and I keep commenting on how we feel like we are back in Chicago. Except that they actually took care of roads and sidewalks there so we weren't stuck at home. The roads are clearing up, but it looks like we are in for more snow tomorrow. Church was cancelled on Sunday and school yesterday and today. It looks like there may be no school the rest of the week. It's fun to be at home relaxing, playing in the snow, and getting ready for Christmas, but it's sad for all the things that may be cancelled because of weather. Our stake had a big music fireside I was playing piano for that was cancelled on Sunday. We'd been rehearsing for two months, so I hope it works out to reschedule it.


Emily and Angela have been having fun playing in the snow. They are in and out all day. I'm glad they are big enough to put their clothes on and off themselves. Nicole likes to go out for a minute and then come back in. She's not too sure about sledding. Our driveway is not a very exciting hill for sledding, but the kids seem to be having fun anyway.

Nicole got dressed herself with the jacket upside down.

This is my first attempt at putting video on the blog. Obviously I need to work on the quality a little bit.

Emily's First Piano Recital

Emily started piano lessons this fall and she had her first piano recital last Saturday. She was nervous for it, but she played really well! She played two solos and a duet of Jingle Bells with me. It has been so fun to play with her and hear the piano being played everyday. She seems to really like it so far. She doesn't always like to practice, but she likes the lessons and often sits down to play without being asked. She loves to play Christmas songs right now.

I wasn't able to get a picture of her by herself, the piano got moved out of the way when I wasn't looking, but here is the group shot and a picture of her at her first piano lesson.