Winter Hikes

This weekend the weather was unseasonably cold with temperatures in the mid-30s during the day. The girls and I bundled up and got some fresh air and exercise. We spent several hours playing at the park in our neighborhood and hiking on the Neuse River Trail. 

After the park, we ate ice cream from Dairy Queen and then hiked the Neuse River Trail.

Due to the cold temps, two fountains in our neighborhood were partially frozen. We don't see ice very often in NC, so we were intrigued by the icicles.  

Everyday Moments

Random phone photos from everyday life 

For Christmas, Grandma gifted Savannah a Perler bead kit with emoji boards. Over the last few weeks, Savannah created these colorful and complex creations. 

On January 8, the girls and I hiked the Mine Creek trail with our friends Amanda and Tyson. We hiked 4.5 miles in 1.5 hours. It was a cold morning around 30 degrees, but we bundled up and drank hot chocolate to stay warm.

Can you see Hadley hiding behind the baskets in our living room bookcase?

Another time Hadley cozied up with her pillow and sleeping bag and watched her show inside the bookcase.

While she was tracked out from school, Hadley stayed with Grandma Barbara for a few days and played at the park with her cousin Harper.

Hadley took a selfie of us during our Friday night sleepover. I sleep in Hadley's room on Friday nights. It's the highlight of her week!

Winter Weather

When we woke up on January 16, it was snowing! Grandma Barbara and Harper, who live along the coast, were excited to see snow for the first time in 5 years. Hadley and Harper loved playing in the icy snow, throwing snowballs, and tasting snow.

Playing at the park before the snow

Starbucks

Hadley's name in the snow

Snow Day

 When our family woke up this morning, we had 2-3 inches of snow on the ground. It was the most snow we've gotten in NC in a couple years.  While Tal was at work, the girls and I enjoyed sleeping late, playing in the snow, baking brownies, and watching TV!

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3 inches of snow on our deck

Girls Mermaid Bathroom

Over Christmas break, I finished decorating the girls' mermaid bathroom. Two years ago, Tal and I painted their Jack and Jill bathroom Tidewater by Sherwin Williams (the same color as Savannah's bedroom). A few months ago, the girls selected the mermaid shower curtain below. Then, I added striped bath rugs and framed some mermaid printables from Etsy. Now the girls have a pretty, colorful bathroom that reflects their current interests and coordinates with the pink, purple, and turquoise color schemes in their bedrooms.

Sources:

Wall color (Tidewater by Sherwin Williams)

Shower curtain (Etsy)

Bath rugs (Belk)

Wall art (Etsy)

Everyday Moments

 Random phone photos from everyday life

A sweet note from Hadley

Sweet holiday notes from students

Over the last several weeks, we have blessed with many 70-degree days, so we've played at the park a lot.

Hanging upside down

Hadley and I painted the wall decor for her bedroom makeover.

Hadley used a craft kit to make make a mosaic picture frame for her desk.

On December 30, the girls and I played at the children's museum. We enjoyed exploring the new art and building exhibits. 

On New Year's Eve, we rang in 2022 at 5:30 PM with sparklers and pop its in our driveway.