Snow time!

We got 8-10 inches of snow Thursday...just in time for Nola to have a dizzy spell that prompted a trip to the doctor's office on the horrible roads. But better safe than sorry. The doctor thought it was from fluid in the ears but we are keeping a close eye on her just in case! Anyway - Papa dug us out with our Farmall H with some shoveling help from myself.....makes for some sore muscles!

Nola doesn't really like playing in the snow but she LOVES to go on 4-wheeler rides with Papa!

 Perhaps this is why she is dizzy - I caught them cutting donuts. Shame, Papa!

 Brenner brought out the monster trucks for some snow play time!

 Timber!!!!!! Love this picture!

 One more of Nola on her 4-wheeler. If Brenner got Grandpa Hilbrenner's tractor, then it is only fair for Nola to get his 4-wheeler, right?!

 On Friday night, Brenner was very explicit on what he wanted for breakfast Saturday morning - blueberry pancakes, bacon, and pineapple - to mimic the book "Taylor Makes Pancakes". The pancakes were yummy and afterwards Papa read a book to Nola as Brenner finished up!

 Then it was time to make dream catchers out of coffee filters, markers, and water. Very fun!

 Sunday Brenner played dominoes with Papa.....

 ....while Nola and I cleaned her out her closet. We found some summer clothes which she had to put on!

 Brenner's sheep from Sunday school class (he informed me that he only did the cotton balls while Miss Nancy drew the head, legs, and tail.

Ole Emi.....I failed to mention that she turned 11 last week. Happy birthday, Mangy!

Valentine's Party and The Polar Plunge

 

Another fun packed week at our house with sickness still lingering. Brenner had his preschool Valentine's Party where the dressed in their jammies and took special treats for the party. He was up early and made the comment "I wonder if my Batman jammies will scare my girlfriend?" This was new information so I inquired "Who is your girlfriend?". Brenner said "I am not telling you!" to which I told him "Sons always tell their mommies about their girlfriends!". He said "I will tell you tonight." I said "Can you at least tell me what color her hair is?" BHP responded "Blonde and flat." He has many blonde girls in his class so that didn't help so when Grandma got to our house, I relayed the story. She said "I bet it is Emma." So I asked Brenner "Is your girlfriend Emma?" He shouted "Ahhhhh!!!!" And hid his face. So cute! (Note: She was not scared by his jammies but decided to be shy that day.  Hmmmm...hard to get? :) ).

 Batman was in good superhero company at the party!

 Not sure what dance they are doing but it sure looks like they are having fun! Love this preschool!

 Brenner handing out his treats - tie-dyed balloons to blow up at home.

 Brenner getting some help from Nola on his skates.

 Technical difficulties?

 Both of these trikes are a bit too big for Nola. So Brenner first got the two of these out of the garage by himself.  BHP figured out how to "tow" the second one so that he didn't have to make two trips. Crafty, this one!

 On Saturday (clear windy day with 34 degrees), Grandma Val and us cheered Cousin Colten and his fellow student council member at the Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics.

 Colten took the lead into the water and went further than most!

 BBBRRRRR!!!!! When I asked him how it was, he said "Awful!". Way to go Colten - we are proud of you!

 Sunday afternoon, Brenner begged and begged to shoot his bow.

 Love this picture...little tip inspection!

I know he will make his papa proud on their future hunting trips!

Where the wild things grow.....

Yes - the kids are wild things lately! Matt and I started off the week with a stomach bug then Nola and Brenner had sniffles and coughs. Matt was laying down one evening with a blanket over him.  Nola ran up to him and said "Don't turn into a bear, Papa!" (after what happens in the movie Brave) - very sweet! I had a work trip at the end of the week and enjoyed the quiet...the first night in the hotel I ate dinner in bed while watching TV - no one asked me a single question - truly heaven. But I sure did miss the trio!

 Brenner running outside during one of walks.....

 Nola following her brother!

 Grammy Vo came down last Monday with an activity. A snowman rice krispie treet. The kids applied the edible water color!

 Brener has been on a waffle kick with Grandma Val. Nola isn't quite sure....

 Looks like we have to right handed kiddos!

 Nola watching Brave. Papa hosted movie night while I was away on my trip.

 Brenner during a "scary" part of the movie. He doesn't really like Mordu. Apparantly, later he jumped up, ran to Papa, and knocked a glass of red wine out of Papa's hand all over Matt, Nola, Emi, and the couch. I think bedtime came early that night :)

 Fun at Grammy's house on Saturday. Is she forgetting thier names?!

 Nola LOVED the new chair and tables that Grammy got her. She also liked the new dolls. The one on the left is "Val" and the one on the right is "Judi". Too funny!

 Love this picture - Nola always crosses her ankles. She loved exploring at Grammy's with the dove decoy.

 Brenner was a big helper to PawPaw Floyd getting the fire going. Brenner informed me that "I broke sticks with my knee!".

 Once I was back, we headed to the T-Rex Cafe for lunch on Sunday with our niece Lauren and her cutie pie Vash. Brenner loved the dinosaurs of course!

Outside the cafe - it was super windy!!!!

Thinking about next year

Matt and I visited with the principal of the local public primary school this week. It is hard to believe that Brenner will be starting kindergarten next year! Lots of changes coming in the next few months so stay tuned! And - a big  thank you to Theresa and Chuck for sending us a new camera. Matt has enjoyed playing with it and figuring it out....some of the later pictures are from it. So thanks again!!!!

 Grammy Vo came to watch the kids on Monday to give Grandma Val an extra long weekend. Thanks, Grammy! I think this is an especially great picture of all three! The kids made potholders and played with a big box of toys that Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck sent - thanks to everyone!

 The weather was great at the beginning of the week so we spent some quality time outside. (No - we are not paid models for Gap!)

 Nola and Brenner enjoyed the Valentine's Day cards from Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck. They were spot on with Minnie Mouse for Nola and Superheros for Brenner.

They also enjoyed the kitty keyboard....with microphone. Theresa admitted it was just too much fun to play with in the store - they couldn't pass it up. It has been a real hit!

 To keep up the music theme, we decided to have a dance party!

 The kids also got a special surprise one day this week when PawPaw Hinckle showed up. He had been taking a drive. Here, Brenner is reading to PawPaw. He is doing quite well with the reading.

 Nola showing her dolls the lovely Minnie Mouse bracelet that came with her card. Before this Nola asked me "Do you want to see the tallest building in the world?!" I said sure and she showed me her dolls. Then she said Papa was the tallest building. Let's hope she always thinks of Papa as the biggest and strongest!

 When done playing with her dolls, Nola made sure to put their shoes in the right place :)

 Book time before bed. Nola loves Brave! She is always trying to lay on my head which makes it difficult to read :)

 This picture doesn't really need a caption, does it?

 I would give this a caption but this was on Papa's watch and I am not for sure what is going on!

 On Saturday, we went hiking around the Pinnacles Youth Park. It was chilly but Brenner was fascinated by the ice on the creek. Nola and Brenner both found rocks to hurl into the stream bed in attempt to crack the ice.

 What is the perfect treat after a January hike - ice cream of course!!!

Brenner's drawing from school. There are fish, sand, plants, and water. He also had his eyes checked at school and was found to be just perfect. Yeah!