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My little girls know how to have fun on a snow day, Hallie has figured out how to play too.  We spent the entire day in leotards, dancing and eventually making some playdoh and watching the snow fall.

Rumor has it that it rains in Ohio more that it does in Seattle.  I found the cutest little rain boots on clearance today…  Think size 4 in babies for Hallie.  I think I’m feeling a little cabin feverish, and hoping that Spring comes soon.

I have discovered the best way to feed my family a hot breakfast without even having to get out of bed, I’m a genius…ok maybe not a genius, just lazy…

It’s a 4:1 ratio.  4 cups water 1 cup steel cut oats.  With my family I have to 1.5 times the recipe, so I add one and a half cups oats to 6 cups of water.  Put it in a bowl inside of your crockpot fill with water around the outside of the bowl, set on low and cook all night.  It takes me 5 minutes to throw it together before I go to bed.  In the morning they just scoop some out and enjoy.  Sometimes I add apples and cinnamon, some vanilla… but most days just plain because the kids like to add their own toppings.  Some of our favorites–blackberries, blueberries, coconut, brown sugar, chocolate chips etc… Luckily everyone but Hallie will eat it, but I have no doubt she will come around soon.  I love the texture of the steel cut oats, they are smoother and creamier than rolled oats.

Hmmm… wonder why they offered a FREE day at the zoo today, and why we were only one family of a few dozen to show up for this promotion?

Best time to go to the zoo and see the polar bears.  They were so stinking funny, full of energy almost reminded me a puppy.  One was playing with a stick and would keep jumping up on the glass and lick it where the kids faces were.

Alyssa seriously doubting our choice to come to the zoo in such conditions

A few animals we saw:

The elephants were named Coco and Connie, I’m not sure how I feel about this…

Awww, the germ invested petting zoo, but really these were some of the cutest sheep I’ve seen I wanted to take one home.

Aubrey giving us her best Tiger impersonation

And the ever elusive, occasionally on the verge of being extinct Halliegator:

So that Tanner doesn’t feel left out…

One last picture,

As cold as it was, the kids enjoyed themselves and everyone was happy.  I love days like this!  Later on we went to some new friends house for FHE and enjoyed a taco dinner with them.

A couple of photos from today’s Sunday drive.  The stained glass was on the church across the street from the Courthouse.  The Courthouse was built in 1880.

Danny and I received callings today.  I’m going to be a primary teacher and Danny is the new Young Men’s Secretary.  We’ve started to get to know the people in the ward, and as their stories unfold I find that I have much in common, and have lots to learn from the members of this ward.  Moving has been such a wonderful learning experience, and we feel very blessed right now.  We are happy!

Another miss day, darn… I’m only 2 weeks into this and I’ve missed twice.  We took a drive to Cincinnati today.  We found IKEA, we were in need of a few items for the house.

Danny and I went out for a date, we are trying to sample the local places, this is proving to be lots of fun.  Buns opened in 1864.  The building was full of charm and the food was tasty too.  Danny ate Red Snapper, pan seared, I went for a steak–rare and covered in mushrooms…  Bun is about 10 minutes from our home, I mention this because we used to drive a lot to get places and now everything seems to be just around the corner. I’m sure eventually the giddiness over this will wear off, but for now it’s still a novelty that I’m am thankful for every day!

I almost never cut my girls hair, and never short unless they are donating it to locks of love.  Today Alyssa was in need of a trim and I decided to go short… here it is.  I love it and don’t regret it at all.

Oh Man, I can’t believe what a little girl my baby is turning into.  She is in total parrot mode and repeats every thing said.  She is just not a baby anymore.  It’s sad in some ways but so amazing to watch.  She is as feisty as Aubrey but not nearly as destructive.  She is so much fun, and I love, love, love her blue eyes.  I never thought I’d have a blue eye’d baby, but now I have two.

Whoops, missed day 10… I even thought about it, but got caught up in FHE and life.

Today as part of my own homemade preschool for Alyssa she had her first swim lesson.  She did well.  Alyssa is not overly social, and honestly it doesn’t bother her one bit, so a few social outings might be just what she needs.  She was able to listen and obey and has no fear of the water.  She jumped right in and was the first to challenge the rule of staying on the first 2 steps, little stink… but after a gentle reminder she caught herself sneaking off a few times and quickly self corrected herself.  I love to see her develop a little self control.  She can’t wait to go back next week.

We got a huge snow storm today, the kids were sent home from school early.  On our way to church the temperature in the van read -1.  We are finally experiencing the winter we’ve heard about.  Overall it’s not so bad.  I sat in my room today watching the snow fall, and it reminded me of being in a snow globe.  I had an overall feeling of peace and gratitude of being able to sit and watch this storm come in and know that we are safe and happy.  I’m blessed to be able to be home and enjoy these days with my babies, and get the awesome privilege of seeing discovery take place.  I’m the one who gets to see their faces come alive, their eyes shine…