Negative Temperatures

Here is what last weekend looked like:We had -30 degree temperatures and were house bound for about a week. The last couple of days have been much better. My chickens have survived so far, but I worry about them day and night out there in those temps.


And below is Madigan shredding cheese for dinner. As you can see in the 2nd picture, most of it was eaten before dinner made it to the table (but it took her about 15-20 minutes so we didn't mind).

Good Dog

Madigan is officially done with naps. I'm sad to see them go, but it's also nice not having to work the day around the nap time. And there will still be plenty of naps this Winter I'm sure. For now, we have quiet time. That means Madigan is in her room playing "quietly" until her timer goes off-about 30 minutes right now but we're hoping to build that up to 45 or 60 minutes some day. The only rules are that she can't call Mom and Dad and come out (except to go potty). She's taken quite fondly to her time alone and can be heard singing and talking and reading with the dogs. Her favorite days are when both dogs are willing participants. The other day it was only Naya and this is what happened:
A little note about Naya: she LOVES Madigan. We didn't think she ever would love her the same ways that Barnaby does, which is still true. But she does love to kiss Madigan and get hugged and cuddled (which is totally amazing from Naya!!).

Ballet Videos

Here's a couple of ballet videos from parent observation day. Madigan is really enjoying ballet class. A few of the moms were commenting about her little belly- it will soon be gone and she'll be a really big girl!

Finished Tree

We found Christmas music in the Christmas box and had an evening of trimming the tree and hanging other holiday decorations. Here's the finished tree. It's perfect for our house-not to wide for our small space. We love it!Madigan had a great time decorating the tree.
And below she put every little light in the ceramic light up tree we got from Kyle's parents last year. (I think Pappy's mom made this tree, but I need to ask and make myself a note for future years.)I may have to take and post a picture of the beloved Frosty light. Madigan calls it "Holly Jolly" since that's the lyric she remembers from the Frosty the Snowman song. And today we opened the first door to the "Countdown to Christmas" calendar that Nana sent.....

Christmas Tree -New Mock Tradition

This year we decided to buy a permit to cut down a tree from National Forest land. The permit is only $5!! (Anyone else think that's is ridiculously cheap!!??) So, we set out up Brackett Creek on Saturday- the weather was beautiful, sunny and lots of snow. The whole family got out and it was so much fun. (This is a trail Kyle and I used to cross country ski quite often.)

Last year Madigan extremely disliked sledding when we took her. I was concerned we were traumatizing her forever. Well, it turns out this year she loves it. She's a little taller now which helps with the snow in the face thing.


Cutting the chosen tree:

The sled was a great idea of Dad's. Madigan rode the whole way and it was so easy I could even pull her. See that belly? I keep thinking my coat won't fit each day and then somehow it still zips!..Granted it rides a little high, but I'll take that for the warmth of my down jacket any time.


Our tree isn't the fullest tree, but it's the one the family picked out. We decided cutting a tree will be a Mock family tradition every year. It was such a fun family outing for all of us!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We were home in the morning and talked and video'ed with family, made a dish to take with us (made desserts the night before-ah ha such a smart idea), watched the Macy's parade and just hung out until about noon. In the afternoon, we joined the Nelson's for the rest of the day and evening- we made a thankful chain with the kids, ate a dinner made for royalty, watched movies, did a little knitting- you get the just.

Here's Dad & Madigan making some festive window decorations with our window markers.Kids table:
Thankful chain:

After each addition, Madigan wanted to hold it up to see how big it was:

Ballet Parent Observation Day

Last week was Parent Observation Week at the ballet studio. ...that meant the moms got to sit in the room during class and listen and take pictures. The girls loved having us as an audience. Madigan is starting to really enjoy class. She's still pretty serious at times, but you can tell she's having fun.