Walking in a Winter Wonderland

It has been a really mild winter for us. Don't get me wrong, we've still had some snow. The girls started making forts this year to hide in. It's all fun and games until the snowballs start flying while mom is trying to shovel the sidewalk below.

Sometimes it is hard to keep track of Carl while shoveling at the same time. Here you can seem him off in the distance, exploring the neighborhood as he wanders down the sidewalk. I am standing on our sidewalk which ends where the small path begins. 

 I was really sad I didn't get a picture of the snow shooting out the top of this huge street snow-blower. You also can't see here it, but to the left of the green dump truck, there's also a large 6 foot tall sidewalk snow-blower shooting snow into the truck. The Japanese really take their snow removal seriously.

We've heard for years that the downhill skiing here is great. I am not a good judge of that, as this was my first time. I am happy to report that all limbs made it back from our skiing trip unbroken.

 Warmer weather does mean awesome snowmen. Jane reported that Ryan had to make a ramp to get the second snowball into the proper position. On the right we're feeding the Siberian swans (at least they're rumored to be Siberian, and I suppose that we are close enough that it isn't out of the question).

That Carl likes to help his dad, especially if it means he can swipe one of the girl's aprons and climb on the chair. 

 I finished my crazy quilt! I started 15 months ago, and had many interruptions, but I made it.

 It's hard work at our house. Carl takes it upon himself to take everything apart that he can get his hands on. It is astounding that he is such a avid supporter of the second law of thermodynamics at such a young age -- his entire day consists of converting order to disorder, randomness and chaos. It's exhausting!