Be Mine.

Valentines this year was very casual. I normally try a lot harder but just didn't have the drive this year. These are just some pics that I snapped of the kids throughout the day.

                              Decorating cookies and eating dinner.

                                                         I let the kids use the fun cups.

                                                                Just sitting around the house.

We had one warm week. Layla was sick and stayed home, but went out to play in the now visible mud.

Making Valentines to mail to our family. But we put candy in them and I don't think they made it to anyone. Sorry, We were thinking of you all.

Knickerbocker Festival

This last weekend was Lake Mills Ice Festival. It's called the Knickerbocker Festival. They had ice sculptures, a snowball eating contest(ice cream). The kids said they didn't like it when it was all said and done, but Justin and I enjoyed getting out. The girls participated in the snowball eating contest, and Layla had fun until she lost. Hazel did it even though she didn't want to. I was surprised. I had to stop at the grocery store before we went home and it was a little to much for Urban. The crazy thing was, he was being so good I didn't even notice he was like that for a few minutes.

Snow, Snow every where...

Today the kids had a Snow Day, as well as Justin. We had a blizzard warning since yesterday afternoon.  I guess the Governor even declared a state of emergency.  I am finding that people out here exaggerate a little and are kind of  wimps. Don't get me wrong, the wind was howling and there were pretty good drifts but I don't think it is nearly as bad as people say. Maybe it will get a lot wore in the next month and make me eat my words, but if not I don't see what the big deal is.  Justin was excited this morning because the wind had blown in our favor for the first time. We usually get all the snow drifting into our yard. We will end up with  a foot while the driveway across the street is bare. But not this time. So Justin was excited to shovel the drive, that is until the plow came by. Suddenly a 3 feet high and 4 feet deep snow bank made it impossible to get out. After 2 hours of shoveling we are finally clear. A guy Justin works with was nice enough to help out for a minute with his riding plow. Layla tried to stand in the snow spray.( you'll see it in the pictures.) The cold just doesn't faze her. Hazel gave in after 15 min and Urban only lasted 3. The pictures really don't do justice to the snow banks, but here they are anyway.

                                                    That little post is our mail box.

                                     Layla purposely standing in the way of the snow spray

                  The snow drift in the back yard. The girls are trying so slide down it and nock it down.

Urban thought he would help Justin shovel. Until he got a gust of wind and snow in his face.

Jelly Belly Factory and Skating.

 Last weekend we went to the Jelly Belly Factory in Milwaukee. It was an hour and a half drive from our house but ended up being ok. The kids though it was a blast and Hazel was asking to go back later that night. Truthfully I think they liked the sample bar. It was almost like Willy Wonka, but with jelly beans.  We bought the kids a few souvenirs and headed towards home. We stopped at the Watertown Roller Skate Rink and met a group of friends for an evening of skating. Layla has had her little Dora skates since her 3rd birthday. So even though she has never been, she was at least used to the feel. She did great and it made me so sad to see my little girl getting so big. She participated in all the games and races and did awesome. Hazel is Balls to the Walls CRAZY!She can actually skate really well for her age, but she thinks its fun to try to fly around everywhere. It was very tiring helping her. Urban was a poop most of the night. He is just not old enough to participate in the kinds of family activities. He pretended to play all the games and at the last part he put on Hazel's skates and loved it. We went around the rink  four times. It was a very fun and full weekend.

                                                            Buckling in for our train tour.

                                                                          Nice hats!

                          

         

                                 On the car ride.                                                  

                                                           Crazy Hazie doing her thing.

                                                                   Layla doing the Libo.