Brec's Birthday Weekend (Dec. 21 - 22)

Back, better than ever with our continuing coverage of Christmas 2013!

Following the typical wintery weather of gloom and rain we experienced the first several weekends in December, Brec's birthday weekend greeted us with unseasonably warm 70 degree temperatures and sunny skies. A part of us lamented that such weather didn't feel very Christmassy, but after being cooped up in the house earlier in the month, we were excited to be outside and enjoy the weather.

Meghan enjoys a morning snuggle with Fluffy in our bed.

Later on hanging out on the swing set. She really wanted to be on the monkey bar and of course not to have her picture taken.

Jack's turn to do some tricks. He was pretty smart to shut his eyes to avoid the dirt falling from his feet.

Peanut butter Hershey kiss cookies gone awry. I think the peanut butter was too dry.

Brec's birthday dinner at Beaseley's. Anything is better than last year when we all came down with the stomach flu on his birthday.

Everyone cuddles with the birthday boy for a bedtime story.

Sunday morning Jack is ready to head outside. He gets his sense of style from his Daddy.

To optimize in this glorious weather, we dined on the patio at Player's Retreat for lunch.

Back in the backyard after lunch.

Yes, that is Clara reading in her hideout in just her underwear on December 22nd. We all enjoyed the extra dose of Vitamin D knowing it would be short lived.

Snow Day! (For Real)

It finally happened, snow in Raleigh, really the first big one we've had since 2010! 

Our snow holiday from school, that continues today, began on Tuesday when Wake county schools closed in anticipation of the storm that all weather outlets said wouldn't arrive until 3 pm at the earliest. My "weekend", i.e., Tuesday morning with all the kids in school, was foiled as everyone was home bouncing off the walls waiting for the snow to start. Here's the street as of 3 pm Tuesday afternoon, not too much danger.

The storm did begin in earnest around 5:30 pm, and by 6:30 pm we were out walking, taking it all in. 

Sometimes it's hard to believe when the predicted storms actually come to fruition!

Wednesday morning we woke up to a white blanket across the city and our yard, as well as temperatures in the teens, not expected to rise over 26 deg F. It's such a rarity to have it stay cold after it snows down here.

Meghan prepares to go out and play in the snow for her very first time!

Well unless you count this from last year (which I don't!).

The kids had fun in the morning just exploring the backyard under the new light of snow.

Super slippery snow slide!

Humoring me with a snow picture or several.

Wade Ave at 10:30 am.

Our winter wonderland.

Jack had a lot of fun raking the snow off of various objects in the yard.

Clara's snow angel.

Back inside to warm up.

After lunch we headed out for the kids first sledding experience. I think Brec and I were as excited as they were. Meghan hitched a ride to the hill.

It may look different covered in white, but this is familiar territory for us - it's Jack's rolling hill! Turns out it's an excellent one for sledding as well.  First run of the season!

A different section of the hill.

Making the trek back up.

Jack just barely makes it on the sled.

Now taking you inside the action, first person sledding!

Clara runs down the hill with Sydney who seems to have recovered from surgery just fine

Last run of the day... Jack's a little tired.

Snow angels

Jackie boy's snow angel

Our street mid-afternoon.

Christmas Card Outtakes

Thanks to the wonderful photos taken by Katie Hyman Rittershaus during our November photo shoot, I did not have to sweat pictures for our Christmas card this year. This biggest problem was which of the many fabulous photos to use. For this reason it was first time I ever selected card that used more than one picture.

Despite the fact that my main early stressor was averted, I nevertheless like to have a few pictures of all three kids to capture this time of year and to use for the month of December on my annual calendar. This year proved to be as "fun" as ever with respect to snapping a "good"picture. To be clear my definition of "good picture" has changed over the years. Previously it was the subjects looking and/or smiling at the camera. Now it usually involves hopefully smiles, two out of three looking at the camera, and hopefully nobody obviously disagreeing with task at hand.

First try, the old standard: the bathtub. Great for so many reasons - don't have to worry about outfits and the kids are contained. Sadly we're getting to the point where are days of these pictures are numbered. They rarely take baths all three at a time any more. It's just too crowded. Most bath nights begin with Jack and Meghan in the tub playing together for a long while. Then once they get out, Clara hops in to quickly get washed. She "doesn't like baths anymore". But in the name of getting calendar pictures for the month of December, I attempted the three-in-the-tub shot. Here's how they turned out.

Post-bath dressed in Christmas PJ's, second photo attempt in front of the Christmas tree.

Jack's version of a smile. Clara is tickling Meghan to get her to smile.

Probably my favorite.

Only for silly faces will Meghan remove her Nuk.

Once they've gone silly, it's hard to reign it in.

And Jack has left the building.

Just to show you how wound up and crazy the kids were while I was trying to get a good picture.