Henry's First Snow and Sledding Fun!

We woke up to a winter wonderland, having gotten a few more inches over the night.  We ended up with 3-4 inches, but the ground was really warm (I mean, last weekend it was 75 here!) so the roads were actually rather clear.  But school was cancelled already, so there was fun to be had!

Henry was quite puzzled by all the white.  He just sort of stared at it.  But then again, he was bundled up in a snow suit ala The Christmas Story, so there wasn't much he could do! 

Mandatory photo op of Henry's first snow!

Sweet brothers!

 Daddy, anticipating the snow, picked up a new snow tube for us to try.  Brant took a few runs on it first, then it was Daddy's turn! And Henry (no worries, he was very secure, and the hill is really not that big, nor did they go fast!)

Here....

they...

come!!

 Brant decided to try out the steeper side of the hill, but it was under trees, so there wasn't as much snow. But he didn't care!

Daddy and Henry just enjoyed watching brother

And I took photos of that sweet face!

Brant really enjoyed the tube!  

Especially aiming for me while I took photos!

Daddy laid Henry down and slid him up and down the hill a little bit.  Henry squealed! He loved it!

Yes.  He got me!

Walking home from the park.  It was already melting :-(

But it's fun and beautiful while it lasts!

Phoenix Phun and SNOW?!

After we went to the Elon game with the Cub Scouts, we wondered why we didn't do it more? So Brantley surprised us with tickets to a game on Thursday night.  With a half day on Friday, we decided it'd be ok to go on a weeknight.  The thing is, the weather was supposed to get nasty around 9, with snow moving in.  But when we left, it was POURING rain.  I mean, blow your umbrella inside out, puddles so deep your sneakers are soaked, blowing under your hood rain.  Henry was gasping as the rain and wind took his breath away!  Bedraggled, we found our seats and enjoyed the game.  

Around half time, we went to get some snack.  Looking outside, kids were shrieking in the wet snow.  But the ground was so warm and wet, it wasn't sticking.  Oh well. 

What we didn't know was that because of the noise of the game, we missed thundersnow.  Apparently, really hard thundersnow, with lightening and all.  And when we walked out of the game less than an hour later, this is what we saw!

SNOW!  Ground covered and our van had about an inch and a half on it.  And the roads were a MESS!

 Giving the van the test snow drive (I'm very glad that Daddy was driving it for the first time) we got home safely, but slowly.  And the boys had a little fun in the snow.   Well, Henry was a bit perplexed.  He kept pointing and saying, "Dat?"  He points and then turns his hand over, questioning. It's adorable!

Observing from the safety of his carseat

Oh yeah!  The first snow of the season!  And the best thing, NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!

The Maroon LIfe, Cub Scout style

As you know, if you've read this blog anytime in the last six months, Brant is a Tiger Scout and Big Brant and I are den leaders.  We really enjoy Scouting as a family, especially planning the Go See It's for the Scouts' requirements.  

Part of the Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe section was a trip to a sporting event.  With Elon being so close (and Daddy's alma mater!) what better place to go than a basketball game!  We had great seats and a great time! Too bad Princeton beat Elon!

Let's Go Elon!!

What fun! Brant and Austin were chosen to "dress like a Phoenix" and race, getting dressed in full sized basketball player uniforms and HUGE shoes!  Then they had to try and make a basket!  It was very cute, and the boys looked very little!

Lucas took a great shot! He's the boyfriend of a friend of ours.

The Phoenix hung out near us

And the boys loved it!

Can you tell we had fun with our new camera?

The Phoenix was nice enough to pose with the Tigers, but the other team, from the upcoming women' s game, photo bombed us!

And a silly one...Even the Phoenix got into it!

Great kids, great families, great fun.  We all, even Henry, enjoyed the game!

Soule Family Christmas

After six years in Japan, we finally got to celebrate Christmas with Jeremy and Carla and their family.   It was a short celebration, as Brantley's work schedule kind of stunk this holiday, but we all did get together.  And their new home is gorgeous!  

Cheryl and Mark decided to stay with them this trip, so we only got to see them for the morning as well.   But we packed in as much fun as we could.  A delicious brunch, omelets by Jeremy, waffles by Hannah and yummies by Cheryl and Savannah.  Then, it was present time!

Henry opening his gifts from Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Mark.

Brantley was quite excited to get the circuit set from Aunt Carla and Uncle Jeremy.

We gave Noah a Lego set, which he (im)patiently waited until we were finished opening gifts to get into! :-)

Savannah got a cute new pair of Toms

a Kindle for Hannah...

Cheryl's turn

And Big Brantley got some great sweaters from Hannah

The other photos were sort of blurry, so this it on the gifting, but the gifts just kept on coming.

All too soon, it was time to head home to get Daddy to work on time. But I snapped a few photos of their house before we left.

The den area

Adjacent to their beautiful kitchen and dining area. 

So, this wraps up our Christmas season.  It's back to school tomorrow for Little Brant and Mommy.  Neither of us are too happy about squeezing our lives back into a schedule.  The boys have been sleeping late, and we've had lots of time in our jammies. I love being a stay at home mommy.  But Brantley and I love our school too.  We are just so thankful and blessed that Daddy can stay home with Henry during the day and we get the best of both!

And so we enter the doldrums of January.  I wonder what we'll get into to jazz things up this year??