ice caves-lake superior

finally got around to putting up the pics from our epic trip to the ice caves, located on the shore of lake superior.
although the weather wasn't ideal, and we had one kid that was just getting over a fever, we still managed to rally and head out for this crazy adventure (jesse had a lot to do with this!)
we met grandmama and grandpapa in bayfield on saturday, ate at our favorite pub, maggies, to get a super delicious fish sandwich before we headed out onto the lake. the weather on that day was -25 with the wind chill, so we were a little nervous about how this was going to turn out.
after our bellies were full, we bundled up and drove to meyers beach (fortunately the chilly temps kept a few thousand people home so we were able to park fairly close to the lake, on a warmer saturday people were having to park a few miles away!).
we packed lots of hand warmers and toe warmers, snacks for the kids, water, goggles, blankets, and the we also had a chariot to pull the kids in, when they needed to get out of the cold.
after a mile or so hiking along the shoreline, we got the the caves. the kids immediately started exploring every nook and cranny (like little penguins). i had so much fun following them, seeing things i would have missed otherwise.
we all were amazed, like really really amazed. what a special place......and it was wonderful to share this unique experience with not only my kids and jesse, but with my parents! now that's a good memory!
this is just another reminder of how amazing this land is, it just makes me love it so much more!
so although i was hesitant to make the trip, and the weather wasn't perfect, nor were the roads (that is another story), i am glad we did it:)

i "heart" you

 

although i find valentines day a little silly, i have tried to make the best of it (which is pretty easy to do with two munchkins eager to celebrate anything). over the years i have tried to put more time into handmade gifts (which is quite challenging), and have found that february is a wonderful time to make something.....i am just getting my creative juices back after the big holiday push in december...which leaves me pretty drained, but oh so fulfilled:) this year i made the kids little "winter warmers" for valentines day, and they were a hit! it's nice to have something to snuggle up to on a freezing cold winter evening....and they smell good too. it was a quick project, and something the kids have been using every day so far, they are awesome! what a great gift idea..hmmm. check out the tutorial here: winter warmers

Piano

ryder has been practicing piano, just about every day, and has a lesson once a week with his, super amazing piano teacher. he is getting so good, we all just love it! my favorite time is sitting in the studio and listening to him play his pieces-he's so darn cute.....i smile the entire time-i probably look like a crazy person, but i can't help it! 

sunday crafting

after learning how the process of making paper, thanks to quinn's super awesome art teacher, the kids and i decided paper making would be a nice way to spend a sunday afternoon. we used a blend of white paper that the kids colored on (and were finished enjoying the masterpiece), junk mail, egg cartons, and small scraps of construction paper. 

the entire process was awesome and the end result is so cool:) we have a pulp bucket in our kitchen now (when it gets stinky it's time to make more paper!).