Tag Archives: Snow

January 26th, 2019

Waking up to fresh powder

Eleanor learning fifth position in her first dance class

Lunch with (great-)(aunt) Molly at Lalibela Ethiopian

Napping with all of her friends- Margaret, Blue Bear, assorted animals and, clutched guardedly in hand- beloved monkey.

Now officially a tradition: dad’s birthday weekend celebrated with an overnight hotel stay, swim and pizza party. Des is just as excited as dad-

Eleanor wastes no time finding the nearest slide, dashing down with only mild hesitation

Desmond fearlessly conquering the two-story waterslide

All washed up after the pool, the pizza arrives! The pixar gods shone down on everyone with a quick find on the cable (re-explaining that concept to Des for the fourth time) with Finding Dory

Ella snacking with some of aunt Molly’s candied pecans (so yum!)

Snuggles and Nemo- the best birthday present

While Eleanor takes quite some time to fall asleep, Des and dad build a fort in the corner with a laptop viewing of The Empire Strikes Back (or with all the pause-and-explain-the-plot-details breaks, up until meeting Yoda on Dagobah)

January 13th, 2019

Ella upgrades to riding front cart, although learning to stay on may take some practice yet (“What out for hop-offs. You’re going to get some hop-offs”)

With recently-ish fallen snow and mild-enough winter temps, it was the perfect afternoon for Team Llama’s first sledding trip as a foursome. Of course even just walking in snow pants is hard work for a two-year-old, so the sled rides began at the car

On baby’s first sledding trip, it’s clear she’s a little thrill seeker

Des learns how much work goes into walking back up the hill after his first ride with mom

One happy little sledder

Des perfecting his snow angel form

Ella begins insisting on walking up the hill herself, which mom and dad try to persuade her out of doing (and taking five times longer)

Afternoon quickly fades to winter sunset, but these two aren’t ready to go home yet

After the first run down the fast/long hill, dad loses control of the sled and Des tumbles off using his face to brake 🙁 After the initial scare and snowburn subsides, Des practices his “tough sledding” face.

One last ride before packing it in

Belly full of hot chocolate, Ella happily arranges her Duplo animals 

December 2nd, 2018

Ella sleeping with her BFF, Margaret

“IT SNOW!”

Eleanor getting all bundled up for her first time playing in the snow as a toddler

The family that shovels together…

“COLD!” -Ella, reporting on scene that the snow is also bright

It was enough snow for short legs to need an extra hand

After a while she settle into her own little routine of effectively walking laps around the front yard through the snow. Mom and dad aren’t sure quite what’s going on, but she certainly had a mission in mind

Meanwhile Des is more than busy redistributing snow around the yard

Toddling in a Winter Wonderland

After a few laps with dad, she’s decided to go once solo…

Ella gets in on the clearing snow action

Yes, he’s shoveling the front yard. And clearly making a “snow mountain”

Monkey see, monkey do

The chef hard at working making a “snow pizza”

May Des’ Fourth Be With You

What was certain to be a good omen, Desmond starts his birthday party day with the season’s first snowfall. On a trip with dad to nab folding chairs, Des also gets a special birthday hot chocolate

All warm

A young Jedi recreating a scene in Star Wars

Eleanor is in a phase where any material, regardless of how small, is either spread out as a blanket to lay on or cover something that is “going sleepy”

Ella is as surprised as everyone else that the snow is sticking and begins to accumulate

What dad thought would be just a nice background (while Beatles played on the speakers) ended up being an early focal point of the birthday party

Getting pigtails with aunt Megan, who is significantly more skilled than mom and dad

Snack picnic

When originally prompted for birthday theme ideas, Des, almost without thinking, replied “Star Wars and Rainbows.” Safe to say, mom and dad’s baker friend nailed it. Mom took to the next level with action figures.

Ella and pa negotiating terms for sharing chips

One can only assume he’s wishing to watch Empire Strikes Back. Or for real-life dinosaurs…

Ella showing off her fork skills for great-grandma Jan

Action figures rivaling cake and ice cream for attention

When you’re so cute, everyone offers you a bite of cake

Desmond solicits help from Liam reading cards

Making the rounds

Mom demonstrating how the R2-D2 candy dispenser works

Hug pile with ma

And the party inevitably ends in some sort of balloon-oriented mayhem

(Mom gets award for best birthday installation)

February 22nd, 2018

Desmond’s new hobby: collecting icicles

February 10th, 2018

Ella’s latest hobby: locking the cabinets doors. Max appears to be just as confused as the rest of us.

Who else is cool enough to sport a fluffy llama hat under their hood?

Bundled to go scoop snow

To be this full of joy-

After watching dad drum while singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” Des wanted a try while singing the ABCs

February 7th, 2018

A few minutes playing the fresh dusting, before the wind chill becomes too much

January 24th, 2018

Nothing like some snow-stomping, snowball-throwing fun to destress after school/work

The homework continues with Desmond’s “All about me” poster. Highlights include: favorite animal is giraffe (?), favorite color is orange (or green or blue), his favorite place is at the zoo… eating ice cream. Being an astronaut and playing with legos are great, but if he had only one wish, it’d be for a pet penguin (to take to school in his backpack)