Sledding Debacle

Our Christmas Eve sledding trip started and ended well.  Everyone was so excited to be there and the conditions were perfect! 




It took no prodding at all to get the kids on the tube and send them down the hill.


But.... do you see what we didn't see? And as Ben said as I was taking this picture, "Uh oh."


Too bad I didn't keep shooting pictures.  I kinda forgot as I was watching my kids fly through the air....


I like this picture.  They were looking at the offending ramp hidden in the snow hill.  It may not have been that bad if they had been expecting it.


They flew like birds, beautiful birds.


Coming back up the hill for another run down. 


Madelyn was up for the challenge.  She had flown like a bird before at this sledding outing (even though it wasn't mentioned).  Greyson sat out for a little while, but he warmed back up to the idea of riding down the hill  He even went by himself a few times.... I love me some good sledding!

Jesus' Birthday

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Rhodes Family!!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.       John 1:14

We've truly enjoyed today.  Waking up to the quiet and then surprised at the late hour (7:30am!), the house was soon bustling with excitement!  It is Christmas!  What we've been waiting for!  It's been wonderful ushering in the real story of the season as we've been more intentional in the story telling and emphasizing of Jesus, his birth, and why it is SO important.  The anticipation of living the anniversary of such great moments in history has been building for days, weeks.  And they didn't disappoint.  God has truly blessed us - greatly!  We shared a birthday blessing in honor of our Savior followed by a Rhodes tradition of homemade blueberry muffins, some gifts, some playing and relaxing, and soon a meal to celebrate His coming into the world, for us, so that we can commune with God as His children.  What a blessing....  Merry Christmas!

This year's fort is outside!

Really quick, while I have the gumption, I thought I'd post the kids and my favorite pastime lately. We have definitely built our share of inside forts in years past with as many chairs and blankets as we can find.  However, here is our new take on an old pastime.  Introducing our first snow fort! I guess you could call it an igloo. Since we were pummeled with almost 2 feet of snow a week and a half ago, it seemed like the best way to make use of the piled high snow.... and loads of FUN!

Blog Slump

I know, I admit it. This blog is a wasteland come October, November, December and maybe even January..... Let's call it my annual blogging slump. I'm sorry. Life has continued here and I definitely have the pictures and stories to fill these pages. It just doesn't happen this time of year and I don't know why.

Here are a couple of pictures taken at Thanksgiving to keep you entertained a little longer while I find my blogging groove again. (which may be here sooner than you think after seeing all the great pics we have stored up!)