Keeping Busy in the Snow

We try to get outside to play as much as we can, but these sub-zero temperatures and multiple feet of snow on the ground make it hard to stay out very long. In addition to reading and coloring, here are a few other ways we've kept ourselves entertained on these long winter days. The girls are lucky to get out to go to school 3 days a week or else we'd really be going stir crazy!

Playing with the easel from Gram and Abba

Dressing up in costumes from Oma & Opa

Play-Doh from Alix

Baking pretzel shapes with Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We decorated some paper chefs hats the other day at a special kids' day at the Clark Art Institute in town (the girls call them their "crowns"). Noemi & Zora made a special one for Mike to wear on his birthday (Jan. 15). What a day!

Winter-ish in Williamstown

I (Mike) arrived in Williamstown, MA around Nov 1st to start my new job (at the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives at Williams College).  (Dad and I made the drive from SLC to MA in three long days, serenaded by the lilting yarls of our traveling companions - Flash, Twyla, and Mowgli.)  I got settled in and then after Thanksgiving together in San Francisco, the girls flew back to the East Coast with me and Mom (who graciously joined the three of us for the flight).

Since then, Mom (Gram) and Dad (Aba) have been running The Gram & Aba School of Hard Knocks.  The girls have been having a blast.  And as you can see below, they've also been enjoying the snow.

Thanksgiving in SF

Had a blast in San Fran with our "cousins" - the Swillinger-Marzoulis and Harris-Newtons.
Lots of big kids to look up to and a new baby to help take care of!

Hanging in the backyard with Anala, Divi, and Kainoa

Sheldon, Mike, Zora, Noemi, Silas, and Patrick

Getting ready for the group photo

Two weird bearded dudes and a baby

Yummy Yogurt!

Ah, the pleasures of being 2 (and having a sister to be crazy with).

You'd Never Guess We're Related

We went to the library today and explored new reading corners on the way out. Noemi found a bunch of bean bags and promptly kicked up her feet and opened a book lying nearby. I swear I didn't say a word - just snapped photos.

Happy Halloween!

Two very soft bears would like you to know their mother only allowed them two pieces of candy this year. Grrrr!