Winter is Here!!

Once again we are reminded that we are in MN! We have thoroughly enjoyed our 70+ degree weather, but we did know it would have to end at some point! However, we didn't expect to go from 60 degrees one day, to 30 the next! However, we are thankful for the family time it has created and the laughs we have shared!

A couple of weeks ago, John went with my mom to see my Uncle Don and ride in the "big combine" and John loved every moment of it! We hear about Don and the big combine on a daily basis! John also tells stories about the corn that was picked and how the "corn dump in big truck!" We continue to be astonished by the words John is stringing together and at some points, even complete sentences!

On Nov. 2, John went with us to vote. He was so quiet while we were there and when we left, loved that he got a sticker for voting, just like Mom and Dad! When we got home, he enjoyed wearing all three!

He was doing is "I voted...I voted" dance! It was priceless!

John loves playing with blocks! At my mom's, he decided to build his "super highway" for his cars and trucks to drive on! He even had a tunnel for them to go through!

A couple of nights ago, John found this hat and became quite the ham! He was more than willing to pose for the camera!

Mr. Mischievous!

So cute snuggling in one morning...

John continues to love putting on our boots and shoes. Here he found Grandpa's...and they seem to be a perfect fit!

The first snow is here! Before we could go outside today, we looked around to find all the pieces of John's outdoor wardrobe. We couldn't find John's hat from last year right away, but did find the back-up from last year, so we tried it on and John loved it! He ran around the house with the tag flapping in his face and the mittens tied on the back of the hat! What a goofball!

John wasn't quite ready to take the hat off, but found Mom's iphone and wanted to play a game! It's scary when your 2 year-old has figured out how to slide his finger to unlock the phone and then find the game he wants and start it on his own, just from observation! Maybe we should put an itouch on his Christmas list..... maybe not!

So cute!

John could not wait to go outside today! From 8:00am to 10:00 when we started getting ready, John must have asked "Mommy, outside? Weeee down hill, please, Mommy" no less than 200 times! He went and found his snowpants and started to try and put them on himself. That's when we agreed to brave the wind for a while and hope the temperatures had risen enough for a short time outside! We just couldn't say no anymore!

All ready to go outside... I remember some other little one named Ralphie looking like this..... "A Christmas Story" anyone??? I was afraid John was going to topple over, but it didn't phase him!

This year, John couldn't wait to jump in his sled and head down the hill. Such a difference a year makes!! (Last year, John wouldn't even sit in it, much less go down a hill in it!) The snow was a little too high and sticky for great sledding conditions, but with Dad's great muscle strength, John was given a few good rides!

"Weeee down, so fun!" "Sled down hill more!"

Fun with Daddy....

and Mommy too!

Time to build a snowman!! When John was sick of sledding, we headed to the front yard to build a snowman. However, the wind gusts were much heavier in the front of the house, so we weren't able to stay out as long. I started to roll the base of the body and John quickly picked up how to grab large amounts of snow and pile them on! He loved every moment of it!

Pack, pack, pack the snow!

John sitting with his snowman! Yes, it is skinny and looking malnourished, but with limited time, it's the best we could do. Plus, it's perfect sized for our 2 year-old peanut!

"I did it!" says John with arms outstretched.

We have certainly enjoyed the first moments of winter and can't wait for more to arrive. John was so disappointed when he had to come inside (and cried for about 10 minutes) but we assured him that the snow would still be there to play in tomorrow and there would be plenty of days left, for months to come, to play in the snow! We are so excited for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, as they will have a new-found awe this year for our family as John will be even more interested and intrigued with decorations, food, family and fun. We can't wait!