Let it Snow

This winter has been one of the coldest and snowiest in recent memory. The College has even had two snow days and one delayed start, which is almost unheard-of for a residential campus where most faculty live within walking distance.  I love all the snow, but the extremely cold temperatures have made it too cold to play outside most days, which is a huge bummer.  The silver lining, however, is that it has made me realize with absolute certainty that I do not want to live in Minnesota, where it is regularly far below zero with even colder wind chills.  I like the temps that allow us to bundle up and play in the winter wonderland!  

We have been able to get out and about a little bit more recently, however.  Both kids absolutely love to play in the snow, and to help Daddy plow the driveway.

We regularly shovel our way to the grill--no reason to wait til spring for delicious grilled meats!

"I made a comfy chair!"

A big attraction for Nathan this winter is clambering around on and sliding down the big banks of snow that the plow makes along the perimeter of the driveway.

Natalie loves shoveling duty.

With the length and grade of our driveway, I am very thankful that we have a plow!

Apparently riding shotgun while Daddy plows is very soothing!

The snow monster in action. :)

Walk in the Woods

Tuesday was my first day solo-parenting both kids.  Luckily, all three of us were in a great mood, and it was a picture-perfect fall day.  After we all three took an afternoon nap (yes, the kiddos treated me kindly that day) Nathan declared, "It's a beautiful sunny fall day!"  I agreed and we headed over to the section of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail that is very close to our house to burn off some energy and enjoy the weather.  The trail was great because it's paved for easy stroller access, and there is no motor vehicle traffic which meant that Nathan could run free.  We all had a grand time.  Natalie snoozed in her stroller while Nay and I checked out the cows, looked for the llamas (they weren't in their usual field), played with sticks, found walnuts and pretended to be race cars. Such fun!

It's so rare that I catch him looking at the camera AND smiling!

Sweet girl

Toddler on the loose!

Nathan was very excited that he got to push baby Natalie's stroller.

Photo op with my sweet boy

Natalie and Mommy

The whole gang!

Big stick!  He was pretending that it was a leaf blower and he was clearing the path.  That's my mechanically-minded boy, turning nature into machinery!

Leelanau's Natural Beauty

Spring was in it's full glory all over the Leelanau Peninsula last weekend. The seasons are always a little slower to change up north, and the cool spring means that the flowers are about two weeks behind where they usually are. This is causing stress for the farmers, but the silver lining is that we were surrounded by flowers all weekend! I couldn't resist aiming my camera at something other than the kiddo for once.

Trillium were blooming all over the woods around the cottage.

Bleeding Heart right outside the back door.

The orchards were absolutely gorgeous.

View of the bay and marina from the beach by Florence and Basil's.

Our own mini-marina.

Dune grass