I forgot to put these pictures in my last post--of our little tree after the night of snow. I've gotten a good bit of joy out of this tree with lights strung 'round it and sparse ornaments hung on its branches.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Post-Thanksgiving Snow
I know, it's after Christmas and here I am still posting about Thanksgiving . . . I'm hopeless in keeping up with the times! Oh well.
As I mentioned before, we spent nearly a week in Flagstaff over Thanksgiving. We had warmish weather for the first few days (with highs around 50), fetched our Christmas tree, celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday, and then enjoyed the season's first real snowfall Sunday and Monday! We got about six inches--enough to be beautiful and exciting.
Of course, the children loved the snow! We didn't have great snow gear, but at least had their coats, hats, and gloves/mittens. They played in Grandma and Pa's back yard and front yard for quite a while even after their jeans got pretty soaked.
We made a tiny snowman, but the snow didn't pack well, so our attempt at a bigger one failed. The kids did make plenty of snowballs to throw at us and each other.
They also ate snow--lots and often. Lydia especially is a compulsive snow-eater.
We bundled Clara up to allow her in on the fun. Since she couldn't really walk (boots too big, too bundled), she got frustrated and cold quickly. But she did like touching and tasting the snow! And she loved watching her siblings' antics.
After our tree trip, the girls helped Pa make a wreath out of the pinon gleanings. They spent hours working on it with him--and look how beautifully it turned out!
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Did I mention that we also got to meet our new niece, Willow? She is a sweetie! I so enjoyed holding a little newborn again--and trying to remember Clara a year ago. . . .
With the cold weather came some indoor activities, too. Pa assisted the kids in their drawing endeavors:
We are thankful for the fun times with Pa, Grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins!
Josiah on a hike before the big snowfall
Kezzie went along too
Abby
Lydia
Lydia loves holding Shashy's leash!
Abby upset about something . . .
As I mentioned before, we spent nearly a week in Flagstaff over Thanksgiving. We had warmish weather for the first few days (with highs around 50), fetched our Christmas tree, celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday, and then enjoyed the season's first real snowfall Sunday and Monday! We got about six inches--enough to be beautiful and exciting.
Mt. Elden (left) and Pa and Grandma's front yard
Abby
Of course, the children loved the snow! We didn't have great snow gear, but at least had their coats, hats, and gloves/mittens. They played in Grandma and Pa's back yard and front yard for quite a while even after their jeans got pretty soaked.
We made a tiny snowman, but the snow didn't pack well, so our attempt at a bigger one failed. The kids did make plenty of snowballs to throw at us and each other.
Teeny-tiny snowman
Abby gets hit by a snowball
They also ate snow--lots and often. Lydia especially is a compulsive snow-eater.
Abby
Lydia
We bundled Clara up to allow her in on the fun. Since she couldn't really walk (boots too big, too bundled), she got frustrated and cold quickly. But she did like touching and tasting the snow! And she loved watching her siblings' antics.
Looking with longing at the big kids' sure-footed freedom
After our tree trip, the girls helped Pa make a wreath out of the pinon gleanings. They spent hours working on it with him--and look how beautifully it turned out!
Did I mention that we also got to meet our new niece, Willow? She is a sweetie! I so enjoyed holding a little newborn again--and trying to remember Clara a year ago. . . .
With the cold weather came some indoor activities, too. Pa assisted the kids in their drawing endeavors:
Abby got that scrape on her cheek when she fell over a branch out in the forest
when we were looking for our tree
Uncle D is a good sport :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
The Great Christmas Tree Hunt
In keeping with our post-Thanksgiving tradition, we went in search of a Christmas tree in the Kaibab forest. Last year we had to skip this because Clara was so little. This year everyone (except maybe Clara) was happy to join with the extended family in the trip out to the forest again!
Josiah standing by our tree while Jeremy mans the saw
This year rules have changed for Christmas tree cutting, allowing us access to swaths of forest previously off limits. In contrast to past years, we saw lots of pretty, symmetrical pinon pines. We even found ours within minutes of starting our hike!
Poor Clara did not want to be stuck in the carrier but couldn't navigate the rocky terrain without falling. She was bundled up and hated that, but was also cold (especially when she pulled off her mittens) and had a runny nose. Next year I hope she'll have more fun.
Jeremy with J, A, and C; Lydia wouldn't cooperate and refused to be in the photo
Anna stayed home with baby Willow, and Justin had to work, so we all looked for a tree for them, too. Daniel and Lauren ended up finding three good ones--for their apartment, for Pa and Grandma's house, and for the Singletons. Kezzie came along for the fun with all of us and was a hardy little trekker as we wandered the forest in search of trees.
Jeremy hauls our tree toward the car
Oh Abby
E helped pick out a tree for his family
I love Kez's hat-scarf combo!
These two have so much fun together
Picnic lunch
Clara was not thrilled with the whole experience
Em with Cedar and E