I have a love/hate relationship with winter...it's my slow season, so while I love that I have lots of time to play with my kids, and read, and spend too much time online, and take naps, and keep my house clean(er), I also hate not being out doing the job I love so much. This year I'm trying to force myself to just enjoy the downtime, and it's been a pretty good winter so far.

Just a week and a half after Christmas, Jack turned 6, then two weeks later Abbie turned 9. It's been super cold most days, so there have been lots of movies, games, wrestling, reading, and Lego building going on. Joey won first place in his last Pinewood Derby and was in the all-state Elementary Honor Choir. We've had a few nice days and have tried to take full advantage of them and spend as much time outside as we can.