Shall we just skip to Winter?

Thanks for the pokes, people. I did take pictures this summer. Just been ... busy. You must know by now that we're having another child, a boy, due in the end of January. We're very excited, as is Ian.

I'll update the summer soon.
For now, well, it snowed today.

It was really difficult to get Ian to come inside. Tears were involved with the decree "We need to go inside and warm up and have lunch."

It's a really good thing we got out last week to get some "Lellow" daisies and "Lellow" leaves along with the last few flax flowers to make a sun-catcher.

It's not spring yet!

We had a great day on Sunday. We had one of Ian's little friends over while his mom enjoyed a beautiful ski day.

We had lunch.
We played with trains and cars.

We don't use FedEx's tubes much anymore, but they make great tunnel-ramps for cars and they're free!

We went snowshoeing and skiing.

Ian got to try out his buddy's snowshoes!

At first, he thought that his feet should glide with something on them in the snow. We made up a song about "picking up your feet!" and it went perfectly after that! They're great snowshoes for a little person, and have very adjustable bindings. They were 7"x16" Yukon Charlie's. We'll be on the lookout for toddler/small person snowshoes on the clearance rack this time of year!

We came back, Ian was out for a wonderful nap, and Jen came back to pick up her guy. Fun stuff!

New Trail

A few days ago, Ian and I blazed a bit of a new trail.

We were looking for a path from our door to a nice snowy, little-used road. We normally have to drive or walk on a paved road to a place where we can ski. I'm hoping that this path will let us ski some more, from our house, with no car or ski carrying required. We may have to carry skis along parts of this path, or snowshoe to our intended skiing location, but that's better than the paved road, I think.

Today we all found our way down there via the partial path we'd carved the other day, and trampled some new trail.

Ian had great fun in the sled, then out of the sled once we got to an easier place to walk.

The goggles are so great. He keeps them on, they stay on easier than sunglasses, they protect his eyes, and protect much of his face from snow, when his face happens to land in snow.

When we got in, it was time for soup and fresh bread for lunch and then a nap. Fortunately, there's entertainment available while Ian waits.

Ian's in another language explosion. He tried to say "grosbeak" (ko bee) today, as he saw his first evening grosbeaks and squeals "Hello dit-dee!" when we see a chickadee. He's working hard at learning colors, bringing us crayons and blocks to identify all the time. I think he's got another growth spurt and two more teeth to keep him a tad out of sorts, too. It's amazing how happy he is through all this!

More Outdoor Fun

Scooting along

Oopsie!

Ian is saying "Ouchie" as Daddy puts his mittens back on (Ouchie for bare hands in the snow).

How much fun was that? Big fun!

We carved a bit of a new path after these photos were taken. FYI, that's kind of painful in deep snow with a wagon. Just so you know. :)

Mountain Dell

On Sunday we took Ian to watch somewhat older kids learn to ski. We got there at the end of the lesson, but he got to watch kids scooting around on skis and he and I got to ski together some. It was very fun.

This little outing was nestled between a short-ish nap and a busy afternoon in the big city. But I took a couple of laps too, and it felt so good. It was a perfect day out there!

While I skied, Ian and John went sledding. It's the busiest weekend of the year for Mountain Dell and it was just perfect. The temperature, snow, and people were all great!

Skiing Fun!

Today on our walk, as usual, Ian got to get out of the wagon and walk some too. We wait for flatter parts on quiet roads. He loves these parts of the walk.

When we got to an even flatter place, we got him onto the skis.

We helped him shuffle some at first, and slid him along for a bit too. He had the biggest grin on his face! Then we started letting him just go on his own, and he did so well!

He got back into the wagon for more steep areas, then on the flats again we asked him if he wanted to walk or ski. He said "SKI!" We really need to get a skiing trail to and from home built so we don't need to bring the wagon, maybe just a sled. Such fun! Here's a short video.

All that fun and you had no idea it's in the single digits outside! Ian came very close to falling asleep on the way back, and we worked hard at keeping him awake. Back at the ranch, we had chicken noodle soup, fruit, and leftover rice and veggies for lunch, then Ian was down for the count! A family skiing outing is next!

Winter Fun

Today’s outing is a bit of a precursor to the resumption of real adult exercise. It'll be nice to hopefully do a bit more skiing this winter!

This is where we go xc skiing. It’ a road closed to vehicles, groomed for and used mostly (but on the right days and times not very much) by snowmobiles. We wear reflective clothing and avoid busy days. We need to fashion some great visibility vest for Ian and the dog. Really, though, it’s a small spur that leads to the parking lot. People don’t “recreate” on this road, just go to and from 150 mi of groomed forest service roads. And it’s in view of our house, so we know if it’s busy and we can get there in 10 minutes or less.

Ian had such a fun time, of course, with one of us pulling him at high speed. I figure this will help get us used to some cold weather exercise!

This video didn't focus, but Ian loves to watch it over and over and over. He giggles and giggles and giggles and says "WHEEE!"

Snow!

I know! Three posts in two days! Crazy person! Ian was finally feeling well enough this afternoon to go play in the snow. The snowsuit we got him last year fits well, and has room to grow. Thanks to a wonderful neighbor, there are boots to go with it! 

Of course, a boy knows that the finest snowman work is done bare handed. He knows that from watching Mama. Bad Mama.

Look who came to see what we were doing!

Could you tell that Ian is tired? Mr. AntiNap has slept a whopping half hour today, in two 15 minute sessions. He falls asleep on the swing, but won't be asleep when you stop it!

Um, Mom? Remember that nap we were talking about on the swing? Can we go inside now? And by "we," I don't mean to include Mr. Snowman here. He's just fine outside.

Not the last

This won't be the last snow. But it was mostly gone by the end of the day.
This morning:

See? Not so bad.
Lots of work done today, and to that end, we let Ian play with that which entertains. It entertains me too (when I have time to play with it).

He's very talented at grasping the ball with is teeth and pulling with both hands to undo a whole ball in no time. This strong cotton is up to the task. Poops are better today. We've determined that he needs more water. Easy enough to do. We say goodbye to the high chair tomorrow, and have the intermediate chair prepped. We found a nice Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair (used, at the thrift store. Love that place.) to do the job nicely in the month or two we anticipate it'll take to get our new high chair from Graco. At that point, the space saver chair can go to Uncle Jay's house to be brought out when we're there. That'll make fun time at Jay's a lot simpler!

BTW, I think Ian is really close to taking a first step. He can stand using something only 8" tall, and then lets go. He stands for inordinate amounts of time, unsupported. He's reaching from one place to another, even if they're not "connected." Here he is just randomly toying with standing up.



And his signs are progressing, but it's frustrating for all. Poor guy uses the same sign for everything, and is fully intent on communicating. At least that's a good step, though. Today, he told me that he needed to go back on the potty right as I was putting his diaper back on. "Uh Uh UH!" then he does his sign. Mostly today, he used it for potty!

Rain, Glorious Rain!

Rain today! There was some mass in it at some points during the day, but it really did a number on the remaining snow. Around dusk, these pics were taken.

You can see that the north-facing hills behind the house definitely have a ways to go, but we're really close. More precipitation overnight means probable snow, but that's ok. We have a neat new camping stove (pics soon!) so we're ready for whatever spring weather needs to be thrown our way. The first rain of the spring this year somehow feels like validation that spring really is imminent. You know, being late APRIL and all.

Unpleasant topics: the duct blockage seems to be mostly cleared up. I will continue to be careful with it however, and get lots of rest and fluids to make sure. And Ian had a rather painful poop today. Ouch. He cried and cried. I don't know if it's just that this is the most solid movement he's had, or if maybe something in our diet lately has caused both of us to get a bit stopped up. It seems as if he'll need to do it again in the morning. He wasn't willing to tonight. We'll go heavy on the fiber for a bit, and more water and nursing for Ian, and hopefully it'll all right itself. I'll email a question to the doc just in case.

This is what's required when it's sunny outside!

And his hair must be getting a bit longer, because it's so poofy!

Snow

The snow is slowly melting.
But there's a ways to go.
We're really hoping for a dry driveway when we get back from camping on Sunday.
We'll see about that!

At least we can have fun inside.

No mocking.

I'm not mocking the weather man. Apparently he is serious. We are expecting another 7-11" tonight, and 4-6" tomorrow. Sheesh. Not mocking. But pleading for spring.

Change: It's not in the weather quite yet, but it is in the air.

Now I just have to get someone to style it.

Tasty, tasty food!!

I guess that's what I get

What do I get for mocking the weather and/or weather man? Just what they predicted. We got out for Easter service, but the XL7 plowed snow with the front bumper. Jay said that the amount of snow we have is "disgusting." We got our 7+" of snow last night. There's more on the way this week.

Today, we went to Easter service at Park City Community Church, and it was very nice. Most everyone we saw was enamored with Ian, in his cute little sweater vest and black cords. We sat in the middle of the pew in the middle of the church, and Ian did so well. It was an hour long, and while busy, he did great the whole time. When he was making noise in the middle of the sermon, I'd just redirect him to something else, or change his position. He alternated between sitting on my lap and standing on my lap, facing forward, or facing me and looking over my head. I did notice the kids and family right behind us, and smiled at them. But other people in the parking lot told us that he'd been very entertaining to interact with during the service. I think they were a few rows back. Hard to say. All were entertained.

We also made the first toy drop. It was left at the church, after the service, on our way out. There were quite a few families that had not left yet. It was left under the coat rack, but it may have been placed in a location that is designated for items for the shelter. I'm not sure. We'll see if it's found and a note returned to The Toy Society blog. It was a small amigurumi bunny, in light blue and pink/purple. It turned out very cute. A nice Easter Surprise for someone, we hope. It was fun to make.

Jay was here for an Easter dinner tonight - ham, cheesy potatoes, and salad. He and Ian had a great time playing. Ian  went right over to Jay and there were lots of smiles all around. Here are a few.

We're glad Jay could come out for some Easter cheer, and glad he made it home safe, despite the bad roads and nearly constant snow! As one of our neighbors found out last year, these April storms can still pack a punch when it comes to road conditions, especially out here.

Bait and Switch

That which was promised is not that which was delivered. But I'm ok with that. The weather man said we'd get 7 to 11 inches of snow. Interesting prediction. It did snow, and there was a lot of wind, but I think that on average we got about 2-3". Well, nobody said that April was predictable, weather-wise.

Teething has not yet let up, but neither have the snuggles, kisses, mamamas, and generally cheery disposition. But naps are so hard when there's so much to do and see.