winter wonderland

We enjoyed almost 4 inches of snow this week. This time Allen and I went out with the kids to enjoy the snow-for 2 hours. Here is some of what we did:

the winter wonderland view

even with cooking spray, this one didn't work too well
we built a fort...kinda

I put this one in because when I look at it I can see hints of the man Carter is going to be...he looks so old

we enjoyed some sledding, take a look at these:

super heroes

My boys have always loved super heroes. And when I say my boys, I mean Carter, Jared and Allen. This love has been a great source of bonding for the men in my life. A favorite memory of mine will always be car rides, dinners and bed times when Carter or Jared will ask Allen, "can we play- who would win?". This game, that Allen made up years ago, consists of Allen naming two super heroes and Carter and Jared discussing who would win in a fight between the two. Hulk vs. Spiderman, Wolverine vs. Thor...you get the idea. I can't count the number of times we have had long family discussions on what super power we would want to have and who is the ultimate super hero. Every once in awhile, when these debates get heated, I say something like, "you guys know they aren't real, right?". And I get a look from all three. A look that says, "why are you wanting to spoil our fun?", so I apologize and say of course Superman is the best, he can fly! Then all is forgiven and the debate continues.

Allen has a box full of old super hero comic books and Jared has read every single one. Jared's favorite Christmas gift was a surprise from Allen and I, a Marvel Super Hero Encyclopedia. It is a 400 page dream (see pic above). Recently the boys (yes, all three) have drawn their own super heroes(see pic above). Carter and Jared marvel at Allen's drawing skills and ask for his help often.

I love that Allen can relive his childhood with his boys. I love that they will have such fun memories with their dad. I hope someday to be sitting and watching some more Langford boys playing "who would win" with their dads and grandpa.

christmas images

Another great Christmas...the snow started just as the kids came down to see what Santa brought them. It was picture perfect. Here are a few I took...

ice staking on Christmas Eve
sleeping in the hide out

that nightChristmas morning

cookies

We love making cookies every year. Nothing special, just for the kids to eat. It brings back great memories of my childhood. Every kid gets a paper plate to catch all the spill of sprinkles. It's always fun to see what they come up with. This is the first year we didn't have the mile high icing with all the sprinkles cookie. Makes me a little sad. Those always reminded me of Joel and Brad.

Jared is really into yin and yang, and so he made this creation

snow and ice

We enjoyed some snow and ice last week. It messed up Allen's last week of work. The kids were out three days the week before Christmas break. We got to try out snow at our new place....

they loved playing on the frozen pond

Claire found the perfect hill

they didn't go out to play on the ice day

cuddle wrestling

Something happened this weekend, that happens often in our house, that I want to remember, because it won't always happen.

It is Saturday morning, Allen is still in bed, it is creeping closer to afternoon, so I say to the kids, "will some one go cuddle with dad?". And, every time, three kids go tearing into dad and jump in bed with him. Why do they do this? Do they love cuddling with him that much? Maybe, because they do actually cuddle for awhile. But about 10 minutes later I will hear screams and screeching mixed in with laughter. The cuddling always turns into wrestling. Well, they call it that, but really it is "try to get out of Dad's death grip". He will hold all three tight to him as they struggle to get away(well sometimes Carter just lays there saying he enjoys it). If one happens to escape, the others will beg for help and the escapee will try to help but usually gets sucked back into the struggle. All four of them love this game. Allen admits it is getting harder to hold all three. When will this ritual end? When will we just reminisce about it? Hopefully not too soon.

a room with a view

wanted to share the best part of our house with you:

notice the moon in this one

the lake becomes a mirror
a foggy morning
sunset

after

beautiful

sunset