Winter Break!

Winter break for the kiddos!  The kids enjoyed sleeping in and getting to do pretty much what they wanted during the week.  We hope everyone is doing well!  Amy asked the kiddos what their favorite parts of break were. For Addie: playing with Ayson in Ayson's Minecraft world (a video game where she had created pet dogs and cats...she had not seen her pets since the summer!).  For Ayson: sleeping in!!

On Monday, the kids went to breakfast with Adam while Amy went to an early lunch with friends

Ayson and his TWO breakfasts at Stella's (Ruston's, Ayson' request, was closed)!

The wall at Amy's restaurant had very fun decor and lots of plants and windows!  

On Tuesday, we hiked a new area, Skaneateles Conservation Area, and we saw two bald eagles close to each other (courtship/mating?...it is the correct time of year) while on our hike.  After our hike we bought fried chicken from Green Hills - yum!

A creek and wetland area we will have to check out this spring and summer!

A little gully 

When Amy was little, she used to buy (from a coin vending machine) a "lucky" rabbits foot...sometimes it would be on a key chain and dyed a bright color...WHY did Amy want this?!?!?  Probably because friends had them too  Well, Addie order a real fox tail from Etsy and it arrived on Monday!!!!  Addie's top favorite animals are cats and a close second are foxes.

The fox tail smooth: 

 The fox tail fluffy:

On Wednesday, Addie went back to the Skaneateles Recreational Center with friends (using her free pass from when she went there with the 6th grade class).  They were able to swim and ice skate!  Addie was offered the chance to go back to their house afterwards but she declined and stated she needed a nap...hahaha.

On Thursday, Amy took Addie and a friend to the ropes course (Canyon Climb) at the big mall.  The girls had fun.  We also got boba tea and walked around looking at various stores until Addie's legs were tired from walking.

On Friday evening, we drove to Grandma Collene's for dinner!  It was great to see everyone and visit!! Unfortunately, Amy didn't take any pictures except this sunset on the way to Grandma's.

Our friend Kate led a craft project on Saturday morning at the library.  We made bead or charm bracelets using memory wire.  Thanks Kate AND the Jessica from the library!  Addie's friends also participated :)

Addie picking out the charms for her bracelet

Addie's bracelet.

A friend and work colleague was in Los Oso CA during winter break and shared these amazing pictures - incredible!!

Winter has Arrived!

We finally have SNOW!!!  It started to snow Thursday night - the kids were hoping for a snow day on Friday BUT not enough snow to delay/cancel school.  We had a fun weekend and we hope all our family and friends are doing well and staying healthy!!!

Silly Ayson emptied the compost bin (in the snow) wearing crocks with no socks EVEN though his hiking boots were in the boys room...sigh...his feet were so cold that he needed to warm up near the wood stove. 

Saturday afternoon was Winter Festival - at least we had a little bit of snow for the kiddos to play in.

Addie REFUSED to wear her coat and snow pants and claimed she was "bored" and wanted to go home before the fireworks...Amy thinks she was cold.  

Sleigh rides!

Adam stayed for the fireworks

Addie making a birthday card for a friend AND Ayson coloring - Ayson did NOT want a picture of him coloring.

Addie's friend really wanted a sledding party and we made it happen on Sunday afternoon!  The girls had so much fun sledding :)

The girls!

After we dropped Addie off at the birthday party, Amy, Adam, and Ayson went for a hike at Pleasant Valley Preserve, a new park created through Amy's work!

Ayson needed help getting food out of his braces and Amy used her camera to help him get the food AND snap a picture :)

The boys right after Ayson threw a snow ball at Adam's neck.  Good thing Addie was not with us as she would have been the target!

During our hike, we came across a raccoon that was acting strangely by 1) not being aware or scared of us, and 2) making circles in the snow with its nose down.

Ayson asked Amy to take a video

After we hiked off trail to get around the raccoon (another video), Amy called the state Conservation Officer in charge of Onondaga County (after looking it up on her phone), in order to report a potential rabid raccoon.  The Conservation Officer indicated she would be on her way to evaluate and dispatch the raccoon, if needed.

We continued on our hike and found more "circle" tracks further up the trail on the hill.

At the end of the hike, we ended up talking to the previous land owner, who lives across the road and saw the Conservation Officer's truck drive into the Preserve and decided to investigate.  We asked the landowner questions about the old Christmas tree farm (a goal of Ayson's is to own a tree farm) and maple syrup operation that used to exist at the Pleasant Valley Nature Preserve.  Ayson really wanted to see/talk to the Conservation Officer and we were able to talk to her after she had dispatched the raccoon and was carrying it out in a plastic bag.  Ayson was VERY happy that we convinced him to go for a hike - you never know what you might find or run in to!

Warm Weather Fun Outside - in February!

We hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy!! The week seemed to fly by and we certainly enjoyed the warm weather!  Ayson is adjusting to his braces but he still won't smile for a picture...Amy will need to sneak up on him :)

A gorgeous sunrise on the way to the office on Wednesday!

On Thursday, snow geese were migrating and "ribbons" of birds flew by the house all day!  The weather was amazing this week and Addie actually put shorts on while she was jumping in the trampoline.

Addie showing Adam a trick on Saturday morning before Amy and Adam went for a walk in the orchard.

On Sunday, A^3 (minus Ayson) went to Baltimore woods for another hike.  Crazy to be hiking this trail with no snow in February!!!

Sigh, Ayson STILL will not show his braces.

 

Braces for Ayson, visit with Family, and a Hike!

Hello February!  We hope our family and friends are doing well and staying healthy!  We finally had sun over the weekend and made sure to get outside.  Ayson went to the Orthodontist's on Friday morning AND had braces put on!  Amy did not make him go back to school for the afternoon.  Ayson would not show anyone his new hardware so hopefully next week Amy will be able to snap a good picture of Ayson smiling.

On Friday evening, Amy and Addie visited with Kate and Emelia (their boys were off galivanting).  Addie made a bracelet while Amy tried a new craft - quilling!

The girls playing video games

A quilling project Kate made

On Saturday, Grandpa Chuck, Marie, Auntie Julie, and Cousin Curran came over for a visit.  

Addie showed everyone her Gift of Mercury creations.

Meanwhile, the boys had fun playing video games together.

Amy requested chocolate and Auntie Julie brought a "death by chocolate" cake :) 

Family photo time!

Grandpa and the kiddos - the balloon is a stand in for Kaela who was working.

On Sunday, Addie wanted to go for a hike to get in shape for running and a race in Wellness Club this spring. So we went to Labrador Unique Area and hiked the west side up to our favorite downed tree.

We started our hike with no snow.

The hike up was a challenge (for Amy and Adam) and Addie crushed it!

The favorite downed tree!

Addie checking out the mammal tracks in the snow against the track IDs that Amy carries on hikes.  Addie said the tracks looked like a fisher - very cool.

Family photo!!  Ayson did not want to join us on the hike.