Snow (or Ice) and Tar Heels

Life has gotten the better of me this month as we have been busy and I've totally forgotten about this dear blog.  Cooper has tennis two days a week, Carter swims three days a week, and combining those activities with school and homework and me working two nights, there hasn't been a whole lot of down time:).

A few weeks ago we woke up to an icy mess on our yard and driveway and naturally the entire street flocked to our shady, slick driveway and side yard for some fun in the slush.  Luckily we went out pretty early because it was all melted by lunch time.  Hudson had a blast and was definitely getting the royal treatment...someone would sled down with him and then carry him up to the top to sit in another lap and ride all over again!  This same weekend Carter had his first sleepover and spent the night across the street with his friends Max and Isabel.  It was definitely a little bittersweet for me because he's never really done it before or even expressed an interest in it.  He had a great time and so we enter into a new chapter in children, sleepovers!  Poor Cooper was so sad that his roommate was gone for the night but fortunately for us slept just fine in his room solo for a change.  I don't think Carter was too rested after his all night affair across the street so that made for an interesting weekend swim meet!  He had a great time and is learning so much swimming for his beloved "Marlings of Raleigh!" He also recently lost his third tooth!

 This past weekend we went as a family to the Carolina/Virginia Tech game.  My parents came too so it was awesome to have some extra hands and laps for squirmy boys.  It was a super-exciting game that went into overtime but lucky for us the Tar Heels came out with a win!  I feel so lucky to have the chance to let our kids come to a few games and experience such a fun thing very near and dear to us.

Cooper wouldn't go see Ramses for anything unfortunately!  Hudson on the other hand had to be carried away crying because he wanted to stay right next to him!

New Year's Fun

Every year for the past few we have traveled as a family to visit with my brother and his wife Sarah to celebrate our Christmas a little late and to ring in the new year with some of our favorite people.  It's something that I look so forward to each Christmas and this year didn't disappoint with lots of fun and excitement for all of us!

I love that it's typically cold and snowy so the boys (and the adults!) get to play in the snow and experience some of the cold that we don't get too often around here.  We had such a great time sledding on the golf course and spent a good almost 3 hours going up and down the hill.  Carter thought it was the greatest thing ever and sledded every second he could and quickly learned how to steer and stop himself if he needed to.  Cooper loved it too and was smiling from ear to ear each time he passed by me on a sled!  Hudson took turns sledding with all of us and his initial apprehension quickly turned into smiles as well.

We learned quickly that when you use your feet to slow down the poor child in the front of the sled gets a nice snow shower!

Sarah and the boys made a cute snowman at the bottom of the hill, complete with a carrot nose!

George thought the carrot was his snow snack:).

Brian and Sarah's front yard was perfect for the boys to sled without much danger.  They had so much fun going up and down, racing and sledding in every direction possible.  Their neighbors came over and got in on the action and were awesome to help keep Carter and Cooper entertained for hours.

Carter stole Cooper's sled so Coop hopped right on top of him and enjoyed a tandem ride!

New Year's Eve we always have a great time once the kiddos are in bed and this year was no exception.  However, the fun started a tad earlier with a little excitement initiated by Jamey and a Blue Moon box, which led to a chimney fire and three fire trucks coming by for a quick visit!  Thankfully everything was just fine and we were very proud of Carter and Cooper for coming in quickly to tell us that there were flames coming out of the chimney to clue us in to the problem!

After the kids went to bed, we had a fondue feast followed by fireworks courtesy of Sugar Mountain to ring in the new year.  The men always sport these dapper duds to really get into the holiday spirit!  We had such a great time and I can't imagine anyone or anywhere else I would rather be than with my family for such a fun, memorable few days!  Happy New Year!