9 & a snowcave

I sit here in a quiet house and can't help but think, 9 years ago today a mom was born in me.  Ella turned 9 today.  We celebrated her all week this year...she requested three different meals, she built a snowcave with Tom today, &  tomorrow we'll go swimming as the finale to the week.  

I just have to pause on that snowcave thing though.......Yes, this was her request.  To go with her dad up to Hatcher Pass on her birthday, build a snowcave, & then sleep in it!  I just can't imagine doing that, never mind asking to do it........and ON your birthday? Wow, I love the adventurous spirit within this girl.  Tom was as giddy as he typically is just before going out on the boat or on a hunt with some buddies this morning. The two of them researched how to build a snowcave online and we even watched Bear Grizz build one on his show this week.   I wonder what would ever possess someone to want to sleep in a snowbank?(Other than survival that is)   I get chilly when our bedroom gets down to 60 degrees!  Tom assures me it'll be a toasty 32 in the cave.  As they were leaving, I asked him what they were going to do in the cave at night.  He wasn't sure.  I suggested they talk:)!!!!!    I can hardly wait to hear the details of this adventure and see the pictures.  I know there will be pictures because Ella is going to write her expository speech next week on how to build a snowcave.  I'm guessing they've been asleep for hours already because what else do you do in a dark snowcave but sleep and try to stay warm?!!!  

As I was tucking Claire into bed tonight we wondered how the two of them were doing.  Claire said, "I'd rather sleep in the trunk of a car than in a snowbank.  I'd be so cold!"  While Claire and I think they're crazy, I think it's pretty neat that Tom does these things with her.  What fun memories for a daddy and a daughter. 

Every year on the kids' birthdays, I tell them about the day they were born.  I tried to tell Ella her story this morning and she darted away from me...."No--ooo!  You do this every year,mom!"   Well, I thought it was special.  Not so much to Ella.  How fast the 9 years have gone.  As I sit here eating one of Ella's birthday cupcakes, I wait and I type.  Owen will predictably wake in just a few minutes at midnight for his final feeding of the night.  He still nurses and snuggles and is soothed best by mom.  As tired as I get some nights, I need to remember, soon he'll be sleeping in a snowbank and not needing me quite so much.  

That mom in me that was born 9 years ago?  Can't help but think..how far I've come... yet how far I have to go.  Each phase of childhood is sweet.  I plan on enjoying it all.

Tom's bday gift...vanity plates.  "Get behind me, Satan!"


Here's a hodge-podge of pics from the past few weeks.  We've spent a ton of time inside due to the crazy weather (ranging from -30 to 53 above!) so have been forced to get a little creative...making playdough, lots of time on the Wii, playdates with friends, dinners in the gazebo & sledding down our stairs... we've tried a little bit of everything.  We celebrated Tom for an entire week instead of just on his birthDAY and are gearing up to celebrate Ella soon turning 9!  Ear infections, nasty colds, and a new permanent attachment on my hip (Owen) have been part of the mix as well.  There's always something (or someone) shakin' at this house!

look alikes

I stumbled upon some old pics of the girls and Tom and I were amazed at how much the boys look like them!  Thomas looks like Ella and Owen...Claire!  

random

I've been meaning to post these random funnies for awhile and finally found a minute...

Grandma Sheryl sends yummy homemade caramels each year at Christmas.  I used to make them, but haven't found the time the last few Christmas'.  Claire and I LOVE these little caramels!  I think my favorite funny from Christmas this year was Claire's quote as she ate a caramel... "Mom, I sure wish these were healthy!"  

The girls and I had a movie night one night over break.  We watched "Princess Diaries 2"  The princess is told that one of the ways to know it's true love is if her foot goes up as she kisses a guy.  Of course, her foot went up at the end when she found the right guy.  Ella said, "Mom, did your foot go up when you kissed Dad?" "It sure did!" I quickly replied:)  

It's been well below zero here for over a week.  Well below= -20 to -30 degrees!  It "warmed up" the other day and Ella asked to play outside.  I told her she couldn't because it was so cold out.  She read the temp. on the thermometer and said, "It's warm out mom!  It's only -6!"  I laughed and let her play outside.  I laughed even harder when I realized my plan for supper was a bit of a stretch... Hamburgers on the grill.  I too, must have thought it had really warmed up!  (The ignition switch was froze down, but I eventually got the grill started and we all tried to envision summer as we ate our burgers:)  Ah, winter....

the L Chistmas meal

Tom grew up having lobster at his Grandma Darlene's every year for Christmas.  I had lutefisk and lefse (among many other tasty things...wouldn't put lutefisk in that category though!). After walking into New Sagaya and discovering live lobster, we decided to "go back to our roots" (OK, Tom's roots!) and splurged on 3 lobsters.  We kept the little guys alive in a cooler overnight and enjoyed them for our Christmas Eve meal.  Ella claimed one as a pet and was disappointed that Dad ate it!  Mom, I know you'll shutter when you see this, but we ate BOUGHTEN lefse for Christmas this year!  It wasn't bad, considering it came from the store, but yours is far superior.  The kids were thrilled to pieces over it!  So...our L meal consisted of lettuce, lobster, lefse & lotatoes, I mean potatoes.

winter wonder

Tom built a groomer this winter and because of it, I have gone skiing more this year than the past 4 years combined!  Thank you, dear:) I feel so blessed each time I'm out there...the views are amazing and the solitude surreal.  He gave me new XC skis for Christmas and I'm anxious to use them on our trail!  These pics remind me of the winter wonderland it was out there, but now I WONDER....Will it return?  It was -27 today.  On the flip side, we do live in Alaska and there are at least 3 months left of winter, right? Plenty of skiing opportunities left...I hope.

Owen is getting so brave in pulling up on things.  Each time I see him standing, I can't help but wonder...how long before you'll be cruising and then walking?  Slow down, little one!

 My friend, Diane, was on her way over for tea and Thomas ran to the window to wait.  There are few people he adores as much as her!