Igloo Fame

With Chris' help the boys had gathered up a decent pile of snow.

The next couple days they worked to carve out the inside.

 They made enough room to all of them to cram inside.

The igloo lasted for over a week.

All this I knew...

What I didn't know till later was that our neighbors were watching their progress and were so impressed they and their visitors had taken pics of the boys creation to show friends!

Boys are working hard on plans for a bigger creation next year.

Avalanche!

This morning we woke to the snow being covered in a quarter inch of ice. We put out new feed on top of the frozen feed for my little friends and enjoyed the general splendor of it all.

As the day warmed and the ice stared to melt, it began to snow again.  This combination created a unique effect of periodic avalanches all around our yard; as the trees free of their ice bondage dropped their loads of ice and snow all at once!  It was like seeing and hearing quick avalanches all around our us.  However, this did not hinder the boys at all.

After a while they chose to change their igloo location from the forest to beside the driveway.  With dad's help they managed to create quite a pile of snow for their igloo.  They hope to burrow it out in the morning. 

For myself, the dog and I got over our issues (like no proper clothes or shoes) and went for a short walk down the block to take in all the wonders around us.

Another beautiful and exciting day the Lord has made and we were glad in it!

Last Hurrah of Winter

We had a great time the week before Titus' birthday playing in the snow.  We also thought that would be the last time we saw snow this winter.  The days had warmed, it was in the 60s on Sunday.  Then out of nowhere we found ourselves in the worst winter storm of the season.  

Chris pushed his luck and left work an hour too late today.  When the snow started, it came down fast and heavy.  By the time he got within a mile of home the roads were so congested he wasn't sure he'd make it home.  I even told him to abandon the car and walk, there was an extra coat and blanket in the car.  He chose to try going the back roads, to get away from the other drivers.  That thought and his experience driving in snow and ice eventually got him home, safe but frazzled.

Until I brought them together to start praying for their father's safe delivery home, the boys were in hog heaven.  All the winter snow gear I had cleaned and put away was dragged back out.  Once Daddy got home they gave quick hugs and ran out the door.

The poor girl came in quickly with cold hands but the boys stayed out doing their best to build an igloo.  They went down by the creek, swept an area clean and tried to create cubes by dipping a bucket in the creek and stuffing it with snow.  It was an unique approach but they did manage to create a decent size wall.

Unfortunately, for my snow loving boys, it looks like the ice rain will melt most of it by morning.  The rest will quickly melt as we reach 50 by Friday and 70 early next week.  

Chris' was fearful that we would not see snow this year and the boys would be disappointed.  His fears were clearly unfounded as we finish the year with the biggest snow fall yet; at least five inches in just a few hours.

Sir Titus - The Mighty Turns Five

I love his wonderful smile.  

He is a great cheerleader and capable member of the gang

A strong competitor in his own right; on the race course...

And a truly talented golfer; the darling of the golf course, out playing kids three times his age.

He loves his brothers...

and his sister.  They are two peas in a pod.

Though he will always be my baby he is growing up.  He is excelling at his studies and joins the boys more and more in theirs.

He is finding his own way as an artist...

And he's already lost two teeth.

Yet he remains ever ready and willing to help, sometimes he even comes up with his own special ways to help.

He is our little Tarzan, fearless of animals and swinging his way through life.

If Knights were still around today he would be a willing and capable squire already. 

Dear Titus, 
We love you with all our heart, treasure you more each day and look forward to how you will "change the world"(as you told me the other day you wants to).  May God bless you and keep you and may you follow in his steps all the days of your life.
All our Love!
Mom, Dad, Lance, Jared, and Amber