Snowmageddon

Snow doesn't usually make an appearance here until January or February and school pretty much always lets out when it does, so it's extra fun for the kids! When I don't have to drive in it, I love snow-- playing in it, the beautiful scenery it creates, that crunch when you step on it. Snow much fun! (that's so punny). Get ready for picture overload!

 After bundling up in several layers, the two littles were ready to brave the cold! Will didn't want to come out and I had to get setup for Maggie. 

 Jake was the first to feel the crunch and loved it! Allie stood back and observed for a little bit

 HIYA!!

I got Allie to come out and she doesn't like it at first

 Got Maggie out after taking pics for a few minutes. I brought out a booster chair so she wouldn't have to sit directly in the snow but still feel it. In her walker, she'd have to stand or get down to feel it, but that would leave her sitting in the snow still. 

Maggie liked her set up but got cold and wanted to go back inside. 

Allie and Jake decided to join her

 Then Will was ready to go out so all but Maggie wanted back out with him. 

Good thing they weren't fully dressed down.

 My handsome little man

 Maggie didn't want back out so I never got a group shot of all four 

but this is adorable still

 Takin' a break above and makin' tracks below

 Maggie came to the window to watch us but did not want back out!

 Everyone came in to warm up by the fire with some hot chocolate

and we couldn't get Allie in the pic so still only 3!

 THEN Maggie wanted to go back out! This girl...

I helped Maggie walk around the yard some so she could feel the crunch of the snow under her feet. It was a great day, hate I couldn't get all four of my kiddos in one shot, but oh well. And in the end, I outlasted everyone. :)

Playroom Makeover

One of the first rooms we wanted to tackle when we moved in was the playroom. Not because there's anything wrong with it, the room is nice, big, open, lots of light. We were just excited to have an area for the kids and all their toys that was separate from our area.

However, we just never could decide what to do. We had grand plans that ranged from building a loft or jungle-gym type structure to building and installing cabinets and counters but couldn't stick with one thing. Though the room is big, the space still didn't lend enough room for everything-- we want to keep the TV (in its current stand) plus couch bed, which the kids lovingly call the "big bed" and request to sleep in often.

Soooo, as 2015 was drawing to a close, I told Daniel we just needed to pick a plan b/c it's been 3 years. We were leaning toward a scaled down version of built-in cabinets-- basically getting some storage pieces and upgrading when the kids got older. Then my mom told me a family friend was selling her son's play table. The only concern was its size, at 6ft x 4ft, I wasn't sure it would fit, but I did the measurements and found it would work! By the time we inquired, she was so ready to see it gone, she told us we could have the table as long as we hauled it off ourselves!

Getting started on the paint

 I wanted the room to bright and colorful like a playroom should be! 

So we went with yellow and love it

 Deciding how everything will be arranged

The kids love it! I want to get some window coverings and more decor but pleased with how it's turned out so far. Thanks for the table, Ruthie, it's perfect!! I've just started organizing, but the extra storage under the table is already a huge help.