Escape!

This time of year is always tough - post-holiday blah, cold, dark, etc.  With Covid surging, it has felt especially challenging lately and we feel like we are often on edge, second-guessing every decision we make.  The kids didn't have school on Tuesday due to dangerous wind chills, and then school was cancelled again on Friday because they didn't have enough staff that was healthy.  We are taking one day at a time and trying to stay busy with projects, cooking, and fun activities!

Doesn't everyone have a Covid supplies drawer in their bathroom?!  Just me?

Dressed for -25 wind chill. The sun was out, at least!

Awesome project by Noah and Daddy to build some storage for our ski boots!

Homemade focaccia. So good!

Cozy after-school time with Evie.  Painted nails and read books by the fireplace.

Frankie always makes herself comfortable in the strangest positions!

Noah's basketball game!  He is LOVING it!

With all the sickness swirling around us, we took a calculated risk and traveled outside our little home bubble to New Hampshire this past weekend for an Irish Dance competition for Evie.  We have been planning on it for a couple months, and honestly, staying home doesn't even seem that safe anymore!  To add to the excitement, we met up with our family from Colorado for the competition, and Grandma and Grandpa and Colby all came along, too.  Evie and her cousin Aristea were able to compete at the same event (not against each other, thankfully!), and we got to have some family time together at the hotel, swimming, playing games and sharing some meals.  Even though we had just over 24 hours together, the trip was so refreshing and uplifting to our spirits.  There's nothing better for the soul than family time!

What an amazing surprise from the Mullen family.  This thoughtful gesture meant so much!

Feels like -23.  Get us outta here!

Waiting for cousins to arrive

Fun, fun, fun on a chilly day!

The dancers

The boyz

This is the best I could do for a group shot at dinner.  Ha ha!

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza - spoiler: Noah crushed everyone at this game!

A special Aunt Katie hairdo for the competition

Part of Evie's group of dancers lined up before the competition

Grandma and Grandpa got to see their first feis!

Evie was proud to earn a 2nd place ribbon and two 3rd place ribbons.  Great job!

Murray the moose

Super proud of our dancer

Supportive dance brothers - fueled by Irish potato chips

Cousins post-competiton

One last photo before we said goodbye

We came back a little early from New Hampshire since there was an impending snow storm, and it's a good thing we did!  Yesterday was a good old-fashioned snowy day with about 8 inches of new snow.  Noah had a blast playing snow football and sledding with some friends, and Evie and Matt ventured out on cross country skis.

Noah had a couple big news items this week.  First, he was in a commercial shoot for Louis Garneau cycling.  We will be sure to share the finished ad when it's done!  His other excitement was losing his second tooth!  YAY!  It's been hanging on by a thread for weeks.

Taking a break during his modeling gig

Tooth #2 is OUT!