the tintle family blog: Winter is here.

Snow & Christmas decorating!
We had a day at home today. It started out with a lot of excitement! The ground is covered with snow for the first time this winter and the boys were overjoyed! In fact, I decided to just let them head outside in their pajamas (along with boots, hats, mittens and coats of course) before breakfast. :) Nathan left for work and we decided to put up our Christmas decorations. We listened to some Christmas music and enjoyed unpacking boxes of treasures that we hadn't seen in a year. Dorian couldn't resist going outside again around lunch time to shovel snow. And then we all went outside for an hour before supper time. With 3 shovels and a sled, we were all set to have fun! This evening the boys helped put ornaments on our Christmas tree. I remember enjoying that each year as a child. :) And now, Nathan, Dorian and Levi are all sleeping and I'm enjoying our quiet, festive house.

Parade of Lights
Last night when we told the boys that we were planning on going to a parade, Dorian couldn't stop jumping for joy. :) He was elated! We bundled up, packed up the double stroller and some blankets, and parked at our usual spot- the Math Dept parking lot. It was super cold, but we enjoyed watching a couple of bands, and mostly lots of people and cars with Christmas lights draped all over them. :) When we arrived back at home, we changed the boys into their warm pajamas, made some hot chocolate, and ate brownies for a bedtime snack.

Thanksgiving Weekend in New York
It was our year to head out to the East Coast for Thanksgiving. Last week Tuesday, Dorian went to preschool in the morning and then we left shortly after that and drove about halfway at which point we stayed at a hotel for the night. On Wednesday we drove the second half of the trip and arrived mid-afternoon at Mom and Dad Tintle's house.

The boys were excited to meet Mia, the new cat at grandpa and grandma's house.

New bikes for the boys to ride when they are visiting!

Grandma made a very special book for Dorian!

On Thanksgiving day we ate a delicious traditional dinner and enjoyed the company of family.

The boys went for a hike around the property.

Cara and Drew brought their dog Digger.

I think the boys got their fill of football...is that possible? :)

Dorian was wearing his Super Duper Helper Hat as he called it. And he was quite a good helper as well!

Dorian had remembered bowling with Jillian last time we were out and wanted to do it again.

Dorian got a new coloring book from Cara which kept him quite entertained while we were finishing our meal together.

Levi and Suzanne were both happy to have some cuddle time. :)

We brought along Christmas presents for the Tintles since we won't be able to see them for Christmas this year.

Since everyone was together, it was a perfect time to snap a family photo.

On Friday morning, Nathan and I met Brian, Katherine and Mikayla for breakfast. It was a lot of fun to talk together! And it was also quite relaxing because we left the boys with grandpa and grandma for the morning. :)

When we came back, the boys were playing on the backhoe in the backyard. :)

Cara and Drew are engaged! It was fun to share in their excitement with everyone. On Friday for lunch they, along with Mom and Dad Tintle, went to check out a couple of reception options. So we ate lunch, the boys napped, and then Nathan and I took the boys to a park. It was very cold, but we still had fun! For supper we ate New York style takeout pizza so Nathan was thrilled! By the end of the day, we were ready to sit and watch a movie about trucks with the boys before heading off to bed.