Looking back to see what we were up to this time of year over the last few years.  Actually, it looks like much of the same as far as winter activities.  The girl does seem to be getting older…

2015

Still looking forward to seeing Santa on the ski hill. Maybe she should ask why he skis?

Still getting fancy!

Still making cookies…

Still making the most of failed recipes.

Still strumming on the ‘ol guitar.

2014

Still into ice skating.

Still a strumming and a singing.

Still loving the white stuff.

Still rocking it!

Still getting Christmasy with daddy.

Still shredding.

Still loving Santa

2013

Still loving this.

Still soaks it in at the ski hill.

Still has rosy cheeks!

Still counting down the days.

Still making frosting!

2012

Still staring out the window.

Still loves a good sled ride.

Still grinning.

Still riding in this sleigh sled!

Still hanging with Doc.

Still getting fancy.

And a throwback to the pre-Alice days, what were they even like?!

xo

There was a time when we decided when we were ready to participate in all the holiday hoopla.  The spirit of the season usually hit me as we drove to McCall, after venting about work but feeling rejuvenated by the thought of two weeks vacation ahead of us.

Now, it’s different.  The holidays have a whole new sense of magical wonder, especially when you look through the eyes of a four-year-old child.

Craft at library story time

Craft at home!

Favorite Family Game = Sleeping Queens

Dog sledding with Hoss (kind of)

Little hands

Wintergreen

I heart smiles

Roseberry Christmas Market

Precious cargo

Counting down the days

Loving it

Aubrey and Alice with Santa

Already we’ve savored many merry festivities: Christmas books by the fire, an impromptu snuggle in Papa Noel’s lap (Alice asked him for Skunk Bingo, score!), a hunt for the perfect Christmas tree, baking gingerbread men and women to sell at the Christmas market, a whirlwind trip to Boise for Alice and I where we briefly saw a few loved ones and spotted our favorite performers doing their thing, we’ve wrapped, packaged and taped, crafted and decorated, been to the ski hill, and snowshoed in the woods at night (with headlamps)!

Maple Grove Singers perform at the Capital building in Boise.

Jane and Alice = friends forever

Sliding down the banister, very sneaky

Garden Aglow at the Botanic Gardens in Boise, always a treat.

Noble, Shadow Hills sixth grader, rocking choir and band!

Wilson and Alice = friends forever

Alice and Cypress (Maple Grove Singer) = friends forever

Helping Ken decorate their penguin tree!

Snuggling other people’s pets

But I had to slow down, I needed a break from all things holiday for a minute.  It got cold, the snow paused, and the birds remained busy at the feeders.  Amazing all the different birds we see in the same scene!  Flickers dominate, woodpeckers show up surprisingly often, chickadees, juncos, red-brested nuthatches abound, and a single mourning dove seemed a bit out of place.

Winter is just beginning and I know not all is well in the world.  But the change of season feels nice.  The snow is falling again.  We are hunkered down.  I like the view out my window and I don’t (always) mind being bossed by my four-year-old.  The birds have exposed the pinecones and we must get back.

xo