Weekends "Up North"

February has been COLD! Most peeps head south when it's cols, but the last 2 weekends we've headed north! It was very cold both weekends, bt we still managed to have a lot of fun.

But a few pics before getting to that....

Stella and a group of friends playing during their brothers basketball game. 

Mike built an igloo a few weekends ago. It then turned into a sheet of ice so I had him cut the stairs off with a chain saw! Kids were trying to push each other off from the top of it. (lawsuit, anyone?!)

P's V-day box. Stella made hers during school as a math project. 

So finally our first weekend up north, we went to Okoboji with 2 other families. It was FREEZING! I didn't even venture outside to play ice hockey or snowmobile (-20ish!). The kids and dads and one other mom were outside for HOURS!!it ended up being a very fun weekend!

Warming up after " night riding" on the snowmobiles.  

Last weekend we traveled north to the Minneapolis area. First day/night was spent near the Mall of America. Second night we spent with college friends. 

The kids are obsessed with forts this winter, they managed to even make one in the van on our way to MN!

P with an anteater on his head.....

Stella bought stuff at the American Girl store and P hit up the Lego store!

Stella on the Ninja Turtle ride. 

Ready for another ride

Mike and Porter

That night at the hotel after swimming they were getting restless, so we went them out on missions to find certain room numbers, take a pic and come back to show us. Who else remembers the TV show "227"!!!!

Kohls, Adam, Mike and Brad. Beau had already left by this point. 

Shot of the kids minus Baylor and Maddux. 

Our kids DO NOT sleep in the car....at all! But this shows how tired P was. He zonked out on our way home when we hit Ankeny. 

Stella got an early bday gift from us, a desk from Ikea. She's so proud of it. We sold the dollhouse bookcase today that was in this spot. 

Life Lately

Photo dump time!!! Cabin fever is setting in, but we are very thankful for the January thaw we've had!

I painted stripes on the entryway wall.....still not 100% sold on this, but will keep it this way for now. 

Stella (back row, next to the cheerleader wearing a maroon/white jacket) participated in a Dowling cheer clinic a few weeks ago between the girl and boys varsity basketball games. She really enjoyed it!

She's in the back row, the one on one foot. 

The next morning was the BIG Pinewood Derby Day! I have no pics of P's car racing. The race started at 9,  Stella and I didn't get there until 10. Right when the first part was over. The top half moved on to the second part.......Porter's car did NOT make the cut! His car may have been slow, but it did win top prize for wackiest!! He was sooooo proud/excited!

Pig riding a piece of bacon. I live in a house full of bacon lovers! Eek!!

Last Sunday I hosted Stella's book clubs meeting, so Mike met up with Jeff and Eric so get out of the house they went to an indoor go cart place and then out for dinner. Their night sounds more exciting than mine. Ha!!

Last week was Catholic schools week, on Wednesday the kids got out of school very early (11:30) because all of the teachers from the local Catholic schools go to mass/workshop together. The weather was pretty great for Iowa in January (50's!), so we met up with friends at the zoo!

This monkey was HILARIOUS!!!! Kept us entertained for a long time!

Stella and her little buddy Grant! He LOVES her and she LOVES him!!

Mixed up a batch of Scotcharoos over the weekend. Nom, nom, nom. 

P wore his Hawkeye necklace from Nana and Papa to school last week on Spirit Day Wear. 

P showing off his wax sticks creation at dinner last Friday before his basketball game. Stella was at a birthday party. Funny side note, we ran into our priest at Jethro's that night. :-)

Photo collage of the Daddy/Daughter Dance. Next year will be Stella's last year! Waaahhhhhh!!

Showing off her face painting when she got home. 

The next morning we woke up to a Winter Wonderland. Simply BEAUTIFUL!!!! 

Playtime in the snow!

Rex decided to stay inside and keep warm and take a long nap. 

They play outside in the snow with the neighbors for hours after school. Rosy red cheeks!