January 2013- surviving the winter

Winters in Utah are hard, y'all! Especially with little kids. My kids were sick off and on all winter long (probably because of preschool germs) and I felt like we were stuck at home all the time. I didn't often feel comfortable taking them to public places when they were sick. Plus there's bad weather and the nasty inversion (aka pollution trapped in our valley by the mountains) and there were many days that we felt like we were losing our minds. So we got creative with how to stay busy!

We had many days that were this cold. Seriously??

It looked and felt like this... very depressing and cold. That's not just fog, that's polluted, freezing air. Not good. 

We had playdates whenever possible- this is the only shot I took of a high school friends' playdate I hosted at my parents' home- cute Greta Roberts in the high chair

We took lots of baths- sometimes even playing together nicely!

We went to Home Depot to get supplies for John Mitchell our contractor. It was kind of a crazy idea to have a remodeling project during the winter, because there wasn't anywhere for us to go when it was too loud, dusty or dangerous for us to be there. We had a lot of car naps and trips to the grandparents' homes! (There are two kids under that huge piece of insulation- Charlie's jacket isn't on his body really, just around his head). 

Mom stayed busy with doTERRA- here's her vision board for 2013

George sat in this counter high chair a lot- it was his own little safe spot to color, watch movies, have lunch or play while mom got stuff done. Charlie and George really can't be alone in a room together yet. Look at that balancing act! He did that all on his own, I love the looks on his face- concentration, pride and joy!

One of many visits to "Grandpa Orange House"- my parents' home. My mom found this cute rocking horse and Charlie was trying it out with Grandpa Mark. 

Mom got encouraging texts from Dad during the day... 

We built many, many couch cushion forts

And some with the parachute, too

This was our "tent" with a "campfire"- seems fun, right? They were entertained for literally 15 seconds. 

George measured things

Checking out the snow piling up at Grandma and Grandpa Spencer's house- this is in the den looking out to the backyard

We snuggled with Daddy and watched shows

Charlie likes to make traps, mazes and lasers with ribbon or tape- this is in the mother-in-law apartment at my parents' home- temporarily vacant after Sam and Meg moved into student housing and before the new renters moved in. 

We played a lot of hide and seek and found new hiding spots all the time

We tried out Daddy's boots and often forgot to put our pants on

Spending some time at Grandma and Grandpa Thornton's house playing with toys in the basement

Sometimes we got our clothes all wet and had to wear some from Grandma's stash- these happen to be for a little girl, but George pulled off the flared pants, embroidered flowers and puffed sleeves quite well. :)

Blocks and balls are always a hit

Sometimes Mom got car naps out of one or both kids

We went to Discovery Gateway a few times- this day with Steve, Kerry, Sam and Lily

Lily lost her two front teeth and was too cute for words

Even doctor's office visits became a fun distraction

More snuggle time on the couch- matching stripes must be documented, right? 

We had dance parties- Charlie had got some moves! (Note his usual uniform, boots and undies (if we're lucky)). 

We took selfies on mom's phone

We "helped" with chores

We wore our pajamas all day, made messes, and watched '80's classics (Transformers) on Netflix

We read books and went to the Library a lot

We brought in some outside toys to ride around

And we chatted through the window at our Charlie who would brave the cold weather daily!