On your mark, Get set, SNOW!

It rarely snows here in Columbia. Last year we didn’t see any of the white stuff and the year before that, we had 1 snow day. The good thing about the snow here is that it only lasts a few hours and it shuts down the city, giving Dan a day off from work. Awesome! We love when Daddy gets to join in on our fun! The flurries also provide an outlet for the kiddos to romp around, expel all their energy and enjoy the uncommon occurrence.

So this morning, we gathered all the warm clothes we had and bundled up. The kiddos and I had on 3 layers, plus coats! I felt like Joey wearing all of Chandler’s clothes for revenge. Wait, was that a “Friends” reference? Yes, sorry, but it WAS a good show y’all! ;-)

I also grabbed our beach gear bag for some fun and creative options. Who uses sand toys in the snow? A girl in South Carolina, that’s who! It worked great, too. Buckets, sand castle molds and sand shovels are multi-functional in this house.

Below are all the pictures from our frozen fun day.

Hope everyone is staying warm!

Helping Daddy clear the snow

 She was a good supervisor

 Oh, wait...I'll shovel some over the fence and on my face!

 Smiley girl

 How much snow can I rain down on myself?

Grayson: "Momma, I'm gonna cut this snow in half, then in half again!"

 Momma is wondering what he was plotting as he packs that snowball....

 Daddy the prankster pelts little man...

 Grayson found it HILARIOUS!

 That was slap your knee funny!

"Peyton's here, Peyton's here!" (through the fence)

 And Maggie! 

Peyton helps supply some ammo

(after the initial greetings, the kiddos joined us in our yard...I LOVE those kids! We are so lucky to have them next door!)

 Laney was trying to get the birdies to take her snowball 

 The beach....er, er, SNOW gear.

Park-a-licious

We sure can’t wait for summer in this house. Just thinking about all the fun we’ll have at the pool and beach this summer makes me giddy! But this cold weather is for the birds…and actually, the birds don’t even like it! Thank goodness we don’t get snow…holy smokes I’d be freezing and miserable.

Thankfully, the weather has been really nice the past few days. Nice enough for me to start jogging outside again and nice enough to let the kiddos run wild at the park. Yay!

For everyone who’s visited, you’re aware that our neighborhood has amazing parks. The one right up the road is super close, completely closed in/gated and THE perfect spot to release that 2 & 3 year old energy that would solve the world’s energy crisis if only we could harness it.
Here are some snaps from the past couple days of post-jogging park fun.

Enjoy!

Running and giggling, nothing beats fun at the park...except maybe the bounce house!

Sibling races. Grayson was taking it much more seriously than Laneybug

 Peek-a-boo!

 This dang cat...I'm sure it is the sweetest thing, but I have no idea whose cat it is!

I'm so afraid it has fleas or some rare form of rabies that doesn't flare up until a 3 year old tries to pet it.

Nevertheless, the kids adore him and he seems very gentle. 

Grayson is off to follow the kitty while Laney assumes the Supervisor pose

Grayson: "Laney, jumping up the stairs is more fun than walking up them!"

(Mom is glad she didn't get suckered into his challenge)

 Climbing up the rock wall...

 ...with an audience to cheer you on and admire your work

 Yup, we love the park!

The 4th Annual New Years Firework Show

Last night, we continued our New Year’s Eve tradition with fantastic friends, great food and an amazing fireworks show. 

To prepare, Dan headed out a few days early and purchased the entire fireworks store. Ok, slight exaggeration on my part. But it could easily be said that Dan walked through the doors and said “I’ll take 2 of everything you offer!” That man knows how to buy fireworks! It's such a terrific show and it’s so much fun for the kids. They love it! DNA transference at it’s best.

The weather was perfect, though I did bust out Grammie’s winter hats and gloves for the kids, just in case they started to get a chill. I’m so glad Grammie got those for us! They were perfect!

Here are all the pictures…and surprisingly enough, I didn’t take 1 shot of the actual fireworks. I took a bunch of the kids and then sat down to enjoy the show myself. Selfish photographer. ;-)

Happy New Year Y’all!!

A quick hug before all the fun begins

 Ok Daddy...let's get this party going!

 Watching the show with Aunt Dina

 It's obvious Grayson has the firework gene...Laney was a little timid at the beginning this year

 Notice the big smiles on Grayson vs the more nervous expressions on Laney.
Those will change shortly. 

 Such an accurate representation of their dynamic; she is always looking to him for guidance

 Whistles!

Grayson doled out the hugs, then he thought it was time for a kiss. 

She's warming up to the idea...

"Ahhhhhh!"

"Yay! Fireworks!" I bet the excitement was due in part to the Hello Kitty additions

"Peek-a-boo fireworks!"

Grayson: "Peek-a-boo Delaney!" (you can barely see him through the railing)

Happy New Year!!