Sledding

Its been a very warm winter for the North Country, but we did have a couple of opportunities to play in the snow. Not long after we got home from Boise there was a good snow storm that gave us enough to go sledding. This is the second year of sledding fun for the boys, and they do love it. They even haul their sleds up the hill without complaint for an hour and a half just to do it!












































and yes, Jovey got in on it too, she got to go down half the hill a couple of times on this inflatable sled with back support, it was awesome. She only fell out once, and that was while I was pulling her towards the hill from the car. Didn't phase her.

The rest

we spied Meredith once or twice over our visit but they were busy getting engaged... (congratulations!)






Jovey enjoyed carting around Grandma's pillows.












We fed the ducks in the canal...
























and said our goodbyes

Birds of Prey

we visited the World Center for Birds of Prey while we were in Boise, and learned some neat stuff about middle eastern falconing.













Here is Carter and Aunt Sarah, he gravitates towards her.

play and practice

We got to spend some quality time with Great Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter, most of the time was spent on board games and horseplay, its no wonder the kids love them. :D








































Coryn also got his first lessons in piano and violin from his Uncle Aaron.

Christmas with the Irishes

Kiki and Joe (wish I'd gotten a pic of Joe and Jovey, she really loved playing with him!)






Gpop! always good for horseplay :D
















Grandie and Jovey making like a cat (they love sitting on paper and in boxes, and so does Jovey)








Jovey feeling like a star with Kiki's friend Jill











Coryn got a violin, (pure fascination for Coryn, and Carter is starting to ask when he'll get a turn)








Jovey and her box of linking rings, or is it a hat full of bracelets?

Christmas with the Messingers

Jovey loved to sit on the fireplace,












Carter getting some loving from Grandma and Grandpa






Jovey getting loving from Great Grandpa Carpenter,








and loving the giant gift bags...



















Coryn getting what he wanted for about 10 months,










Carter's first train set (one of the boys' favorites)












the right side of the room (hi Duane!)















left side of the room...

Christmas in Boise!

Christmas Eve Service with the Messinger family (the only official member missing is Jackson, but an honorable mention goes to Meredith who doesn't join the fam until the next Christmastime)


I am Jovey, queen of the coasters!
















This is what Christmas in a house of 14+ looks like :D







Stocking favorites: angry birds!







and a my little pony for Carter, Rainbow Dash, who he thinks is a boy (its blue, is a tomboy, runs fast, what more could a guy ask for in a my little pony?)

Jovey's First Birthday

Happy First Birthday Jovey!! The day after we landed in Boise we threw an impromptu party for the babe, Chuck-O-Rama, presents, family, it worked out great! (especially considering it was decided about 3 hours beforehand that we would do it)



She had tons of fun pulling the tissue out...


















and thoroughly enjoyed wearing the bow, she kept handing it to me so I would put it on her head.










Favorite present, glow worm!

Random December

Nap on the floor...









Christmas decorations and nativities....
playing with shoes and a friend's dog...










Peacemaker of the month award (like student of the month, but they can pick lots of people)



Cub scout trip to the local tv studio.

First Snow

Snow has been slim to none this year (I mean, more than Boise gets but still...), late to come and early to leave. Last winter the first real snow was on Halloween, this winter it was just before Thanksgiving.
Jovey is liking something...

Here is Coryn's homage to Thanksgiving