Winter arrives

I'm constantly thinking about pictures to take for the blog. Somedays the entire day passes without a photo opportunity. Somedays, like today, there are lots of opportunities and some that I even miss. It snowed last night. Not a lot, but there was a dusting of snow on our lawn this morning. As today progressed, the snow continued and now we have a full covering on our deck, lawn and driveway. On several occasions I thought about taking a picture of the snow. And then suddenly, the sun was gone behind the mountain and it was dark. So today's snow picture is of the BBQ, on our front deck.....you get the idea....we have snow.

We've had a good couple of days getting used to our new houseful of family. Thursday was a long day at school and work, so we didn't spend a lot of time together. There were lots of hugs and shouted good-byes when we left the house at 7:30am and my kids were sadly disappointed when we returned from school and Auntie E and the gang were still out. They had made their way out to the valley to see Grandpa W for the day. We did have a nice beef wrap dinner together before a relatively smooth bedtime. Papa was gone to Cowtown for his Metallica concert, so it was just the Mamas and their babes. I left Auntie E at home to watch Grey's Anatomy when I went into town to meet my "God Group" as we've now been coined....thanks to Auntie V.

Today was spent together. All the kids had a restless night. Both Schmoo and Bean came into my room in the night, making for a tired and cranky mommy this morning. Sounds like Auntie E had a similar experience with her kids. They were all up at 7am and ready to play. Auntie E took over breakfast duty, giving me a chance to lie in. What a great sister. Schmoo and I headed out just before 9am to drop her off at school and for me to head to the gym. Bean and Cousin I had a great morning playing together. They're such great little friends now. Grandpa W was in town over lunch time so treated us all to a restaurant lunch. Always a bit of a manic experience, especially with four kids, but fun to be out and about. The afternoon was quiet. All four kids managed to settle down for a big long nap, leaving me a quiet house to work on my Christmas letter and giving Auntie E an opportunity to head into town to visit the craft faire and do some grocery shopping. We did a bit of a tag team effort when she got back. I walked down to the craft faire and returned in time for her to take Baby R out to another event into town before bedtime. I forgot how great it is to have a sister around.

Papa returned home safely from Cowtown around 5pm after a great night out with Uncle C. The kids are now playing nicely until bedtime. Schmoo is directing the play...first camping, then colouring, then hide and seek. Luckily the other two seem pretty keen to do what she wants them to do. With big naps under their belts they won't be in any hurry to go to bed tonight, but we'll be putting to bed soon so that Papa and I can have a turn going into town for a night out!