Picture Perfect

I like the idea of my family doing things together, and having really cute pictures of us doing it. You know, the ones that tug at your heartstrings and make you sigh, "Oh, we have got this family thing down."

Which I have.

Well...I have more or less of...

Okay...maybe a bit less of...

Or maybe not all...

But we try. And even when they are epic fails of making cupcakes together and somehow it turns into a pantsless party (only for the kids...) and batter between the toes, it's still memories. And I'll cherish them in all their sticky glory.

Snow

Alright I get it.

It's cold.

And here in Indiana we have been stuck in the "Polar Vortex of Craziness" for over a month.

So it's OBSCENELY cold.

But when we get a perfect snowfall like this, it takes my little Michigander's breath away.

I mean, it very nearly took Avery's tongue away.

But Sawyer, on the other hand, he loved the chill of the wind. He wore this goofy smile nearly the whole time we braved the cold.

Plus having a crawler chase a toddler in the snow? It was absolutely adorable.

As is this face.

So yes it is freezing, but I am glad I could snag some pictures of it.

Family Animals

I long for pets. Don't believe me, look at my face.

See? I L-O-N-G for them. Unfortunately, renting a place to live doesn't usually allow that privilege.

So while we were up in Michigan we soaked up all the love we could from Willoughby,

from Kimberly's rabbit Rocket Cider,

and from the two newest additions to the Pennock family. Welcome Sparky and Jay!

They are adorable, amazing, and everything that is good in the world.

Even Kyle enjoyed them, and he is allergic.

So apparently, cats won't be in our future, but as soon as we own a place, you better believe it will have some kind of domesticated animal.

And my life will be complete!

Dodgeball

One of the things I love most about my family is our love for being active.

Last year for Thanksgiving we held our first family football game. This year, since it was already a winter wonderland outside, we had a friendly game of dodgeball.

Of course war paint was donned to strike fear into the opponent's heart.

Unless you're my Dad. Then you channel your inner Harry Potter for some magical assistance.

Or if you are Kyle. He got a heart on his cheek since he's a lover, not a fighter.

And since Ben is the one that introduced us to this sport (and supplied the dodgeballs) he went with the slasher look. He was fast, he was furious, and I was glad he was on my team. It was a blood bath on the other side of the court.

Amazingly enough, my kids remained unscathed from the night. Sawyer is already training for next year's tournament.

Which is a good thing too, because we take dodgeball seriously.

Very seriously.

Michigan Snow

I'm coming clean.

I love snow!

I love how cute kids look in their puffy coats.

I love sledding in it.

I love how magical it is to be a parent with your children in it.

Or an aunt.

I love the meal it provides for my children.

And I love the new creations that come from it.

If all of winter equated snow, I think I would be in heaven.

Facial Hair

Kyle was challenged by his brother Sean to a "beard off" for November.

To be honest, I didn't think Kyle would last. The longest hiatus I've seen Kyle take from the razor has been a week.

But he persevered the itchiness and made it to November 31st! Even my comments likening kissing him to smooching a walrus didn't dissuade him.That takes dedication folks.

And like all good farewells, Kyle wanted documentation with his parting scruff.

Stage one of shaving: the handlebar mustache.

Yeah, not the best look, but it was far superior to Stage 2.

Stage 2: the creepy car salesman look.

Oh gosh. Reminds you of John Watson in the Season 3 premiere of Sherlock, right? Everyone in the house was pushing Kyle into the bathroom to get rid of it!

And our final stage: Teenage boy.

Sure Kyle has a baby face, but I like that baby face to be seen. :)

So long whiskers, until next November!

November

Wait...you've noticed that I haven't blogged about Thanksgiving?

Or Christmas?

Or the New Year?

Or my birthday?

Well, LUCKY DAY! I am about to get caught up! It's going to be wild, wooly, and wonderful! So buckle up.

November began with a thankful tree that looked like this:

And ended like this:

We fled up to Michigan for the holidays. It was great because there was stuffed animal loving,

grandma loving,

grandpa loving,

parental loving,

Gilbert loving,

and self loving. :)

But most importantly, Kelsey and I kept up our tradition of a Thanksgiving morning run. Got to love that sister loving!

I'm so thankful for family that I love, and that loves me.