Kevin and Kade's Room

Though this room is still a work in progress, we did finally take the echo out of it.  Truly. This room echoed when you talked in it before we decorated it.  Now you only hear yourself talk once.

I still want to find comforters for them (had these old ones that work for now).  I have plans for a bigger, better, sturdier, holds more night stand too.  We'd like to add blinds or curtains someday.  And the one wall certainly has room to add stuff as I come across it.

But the room has more than beds now.  Colours are not exactly as they appear either, but you get the idea. 

The boys (particularly Kevin) wanted a room with all signs hanging everywhere. I think they kind of got what they wanted.  They were pleased anyway, 

This chalkboard thingy was made from a kitchen cabinet door. We picked it up in the AS IS section at Ikea and then I chalkboard painted the three inserts.

I don't love the "DUTY CALLS" circles.  I will probably change them up when inspiration strikes. The colours didn't end up matching the other reds and blues in the room, but it works for now. This board is meant to be changed up frequently:)

The two outer panels are for the kids memory work for the week and I had planned to put their assignment/test schedule on too, but there isn't enough room most weeks!  

On this side of the room is a bit of a "trophy case".  I modge podged the boys race bibs from their 5k/10k onto a canvas.  There is obviously plenty room for more if they choose to do more.

We also have two signs that kind of fit the theme: (in case you can't read them) "The difference between the possible and the impossible is in a persons determination."  and "Set your goals high and don't stop till you get there."  I'm keeping my eye out for more. 

Then we made this hook to hang their medals . . .   

Not too much room to do stuff on this wall (closets and door), but we did put a sign above the door.

"Attitude is everything. Pick a good one." and one above the window, "Real men walk with integrity"..

Though seeing these signs everyday, I'm sure they'll tune them out, but we hope that every once in a while they will serve as inspiration, encouragement, or at least a good reminder.

 The sign between their beds also has a good list for them:)

The "K"s are from Hobby Lobby and the circles just cut out from thin wood. 

So that's where we're at for now.  On to our room next:)  . . . though Kylie is pretty sure we need to do more to her room now . .  .but she's going to have to wait till every one else has had their first serving before she goes for seconds:)

Snowing and Blowing

 Jonathan was lamenting a while back that we never get blizzards like the Ingalls did where you had to tie a rope from the house to the barn and where the drifts are taller than you are.  Well . . . I don't think we are quite there in most aspects, but we did have a daddy of a drift across our driveway when we woke up this morning.  Jonathan had plans to head out early, but after glimpsing this monster, he realized he wasn't going anywhere!  So we were officially snowed in for a little while.

 Most of the driveway is completely clear and the snow blows right over, but we always seem to get two spots where the drifts pile up very quickly.

 Kylie had to come out and check out THE DRIFT!

 Our kind neighbour came and cleared the way.

 Sita

 And when he was done plowing, we had our own sledding, jumping, climbing hill to play on!

 As much as I really don't care for the snow, it did make for a cozy Saturday stuck at home!

Hope you all enjoyed your snowy weekend and that you all stayed safe!!

p.s  That was a mighty fine win streak my Maple Leafs put together eh?!!

Because the Maple Leafs Won

 . . .and broke their four game losing streak, I thought I'd post my own two resident Maple Leafs. 

 And since I don't want to forget, but have nary a picture to show for it except one of the ice from Jonathan's phone . . . Jonathan, Kevin, Kade and I got to go to a Maple Leafs vs. Detroit game a couple Saturday's ago.  So fun!! and such a wonderful opportunity. Thanks to my sister Carrie who appreciates our love for the Leafs and thinks of us when these tickets fall upon her and she can't use them.

It was Jonathan's first time ever to a Leafs game and he loved it.

 Back to the very first snow fall . . the kids were super excited!

 Kind of hard to imagine that excitement right now when I'm ready for spring already:)

 Our Christmas tree . . .my decorating skills disappointed me this year . . too much colour or something . . .but it was good that I wasn't too attached to its beauty b/c Karter took a lot of it apart and used the balls for hockey. They weren't glass, but they do still break.  I wasn't too disappointed:)

 When I told Kylie that the tree was kind of ugly this year, she got real mad and told me it was "actually beautiful and don't say that again!"  

 Kade loves this picture . . . I think b/c he is hanging out with his dad making supper for us on a Sunday night. He enjoys helping with meal prep when he can. (which doesn't happen too often)

 My parents with all the grandchildren (minus Blake who was born shortly after)

 And the whole clan

That's my random post of the year.  All b/c the Leafs won:)

Vermont

We were finally (after 6 years!) able to return to Vermont to visit Dan and Sarah and boys.  I don't know how many times over those years we have discussed going . . . and failed . . but I am so glad it worked out this time and that we actually made it happen.  We left Christmas Eve just after lunch and got there just after 9pm.  The kids did well for the ride and the weather was mostly good. A bit of snow and flurries, but nothing that really slowed us, so we were thankful for that!

 Our first day there was Christmas morning and after church we did stockings all together. This was fun and it was great that we could take that tradition with us to Vermont!  After lunch we headed down the road to the neighbours pond.  We went to the pond to skate and sled every day we were there and it was really great. The pond is huge and the ice was really smooth. Though there was a layer of snow on it, it didn't really slow you down (though it certainly slowed the hockey puck down!).  We scraped a patch of ice off and a big trail around the outside of the pond too.

 The first day was really cold and we didn't last real long (partly b/c it took us a bit to get our act together and make it down with everyones skates! Poor Sarah spent the whole time climbing up and down the hill and never even got her skates on!), but the next days warmed up a bit each day and then kids were throwing off hats, mitts, coats etc. rather quickly once they got going!

 They still had all the ice on the trees from the ice storm. It never melted in Vermont like it did here at home.  It sure made things beautiful!!!

 Karter stayed back to nap each day (we took turns staying with him) and then on Sarah's last trip with skates the first day, she pulled him out on the toboggan.  He wasn't overly impressed, but it was pretty cute!

 The kids spent parts of each of the days and nights playing games -- real and virtual. Everyone got along fabulously and it was so neat to watch them connect with these cousins they don't get to see to often!

 The third day these three boys snowshoed down to the pond.  It was a good work out and they were hot when they got there!

 There was also a good sledding hill to get to the pond. (the pond was at the bottom of the hill)

 There was a good mix of sledding and skating each day.

 These two had so much fun together. They are two peas in a pod and were really fun to watch.  Interestingly enough . . .Josiah is VERY much a BOY's boy, so we are glad he tolerated (and enjoyed) Kylie!

 This is as close as he would get for a picture though (and yes, she is trying to get him to put his arm around her in the above picture;))

 The race:  Jonathan vs. Josiah and Kylie

 Looks like Josiah and Kylie are pulling ahead . . . .though veering slightly off course . . .

  . . . and they bailed before they ended up in the reeds.

 Joshua and Kade playing ninjas.

 And we can't forget about the beloved ipad. This machine (along with Netflix) was my kids dream come true.  They very much enjoyed their three days of cozy movies at the touch of a finger.  (though of course they did have to take turns . . . especially since Barbie seemed to be on a fair bit considering the 8:1 male: female ratio:)

Karter adapted to this house so quickly it was amazing. He was just so at home . . . and could easily fit right into the blond mix too!  Dan and Sarah's boys loved him and he loved being loved by them.  So special!

The three days flew by. Jonathan and the boys were taken on a tour of the farms led by Farmer Josh.  He did really well and got them to each of the destinations without any trouble at all.  We also did a drive by of some of the places Jonathan remembers from WAY back when he lived in Vermont.  

Dan and Sarah are excellent hosts and have a super cozy home and we left feeling very relaxed and refreshed (not to mention a bit lazy!).  We spent lots of time around the island just chatting and being inspired and encouraged.  Thanks so much Dan and Sarah (and boys!) for a very enjoyable little vacation. We truly loved it and really really hope it won't take us six more years to get back.  Seriously.