Getting out with friends and family

These first few months of the year can be so long and depressing. We get stuck inside a lot but luckily between some breaks in the snowy weather and good friends, life stays bearable.

Pepper and Morgan's friend, Sarah (ladybug wings) drawing at the Nature Realm.

Pepper taking a picture of Hazel and me.

I love my little smiley snuggle-bug!

Back to the Nature Realm for more playgroup fun. This was a Friday off from school and Sarah was spending the day with us.

More pictures by Pepper.

On Saturday the 19th, the weather was really nice for January. Mid 40s. So we took advantage of the chance to get outside and spent the morning at the zoo and we went to a playground after nap time and before dinner. We were all so happy to be outside.

Hazel is starting to venture out on her own.

I liked this shot of my Hazel off to explore the world.

Cody hard at work pushing everyone on the swings.

After the playground, we took the kids to Steak n Shake for dinner. We tried to do it the week before but Pepper got a fever and threw up on the way out the door. We were all very happy this Saturday went better.

Hazel is becoming more fun and more challenging when we go out places. She is more interactive and makes us laugh but also does not want to sit still as much. Luckily, food and a few toys can usually keep her calm.

The dryer weather is taking its toll on Pepper's hair.

Pepper took this and I thought did a pretty good job.

Morgan had a take home science experiment from school with some sort of fake snow. He had to write his observations. He is listening to hear if it makes any noises.

The morning of Saturday the 19th, we went to the Akron Zoo for their Cabin Fever day. Sarah and her mom, Stephanie, joined us.

In the lobby they had some tables set up with different activities for the kids and free hot chocolate.

Another pic from the Nature Realm. Who knows why they're all out of order but I'm too lazy to fix it.

The zoo is under construction right now because they are working on a new Grizzly Ridge exhibit to be opened later this year. We are all very excited about it. The theme for the cabin fever day was construction. They constructed little sculptures out of toothpicks and marshmallows and got to make a tool belt out of paper.

When the weather is below 50 degrees you can feed the penguins some fish.

I think Sarah's face says it all in this picture!

We ate our packed lunch then spent time exploring the coral reef and playing inside.

Right now the snow is back but the sun is out. The temperatures have been below 20 for most of the past week. We still have a few months left of winter. Days where we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air are not very often and we are so grateful for them. And awesome friends to share those beautiful days with.

Random iPhone

After I loaded all the pictures from my camera, I noticed that I had a bunch of fun pictures on my phone as well. So here are a bunch of random pictures and stories from our daily life.

One Monday morning as I was doing laundry, Hazel found a dirty tshirt of Cody's in the basket and started dragging it around, putting it on her head and snuggling with it. She was so happy I didn't have the heart to take it from her and waited till she was napping to do the white load. I took a pic to send to Cody to show him how much his little lady missed him.

Pepper is always looking to do a makeover or play with makeup. She has lots of lip glosses and chapsticks. This day she insisted on putting it on me as well as her and giving each other sparkly pink kisses on our foreheads.

Pepper also loves to get my phone and take a million pictures that I have to later delete. Most are very close pictures of her nose and eyes or favorite toy of the moment. I delete most but some make me smile.

Trying to take a little afternoon nap.

Another shot of Hazel with Cody's shirt.

Hazel greatly enjoying a cheese puff and all its bright orange, artificial flavor glory.

Sunday the 13th, while Pepper was sick and we were home from church I snapped these photos.

Hazel's smile brightens up every day!

This was from a couple days before but so, so handsome!

My little sicko putting on a brave, sort of smiley face.

Morgan not even trying to hide his pleasure at staying home and watching movies all day.

Pepper and I entertained ourselves on her sick day by braiding her hair. She asks me all the time to braid it but I never have the time before school or church usually. It takes SO long to comb out her hair or I'd be able to do more fun hairdos on a daily basis.

About as straight as I can get it.
So long!

And still very pinkish-purple.

I love the pink in the braid.

The finished product.

I've had this InstaCollage app for awhile but have never gotten around to using it.
Pretty fun.