January in pictures...

I know - it's a miracle. An actual post! And in January of all things! Here's a quick update on our family... in pictures.

The first photo is for Nana Carole - the capes are out again! :) Ivan and Grant are playing indoor soccer this winter. The t-shirts are really cute - a snowman made out of soccer balls. Minnesota appropriate! Mary - just being Mary (Hey Mom - look at me!) The view of our backyard just last week... it's such a beautiful surprise to be walking through the house and catch this scene going by out the window. God's creation... nothing more incredible.Ivan won "Top Reader" for his class this year and was awarded a photo with Crunch - the Minnesota Timberwolves mascot. He got a great professional pic with him... but guess who got the best photo on Mommy's camera?..The most patient four year old I know. She waited until every student left, and then we walked up to the front to see if we could sneak in a photo op with him. "He picked me right up, Mom!" She was so excited. This is our animal kid... and to be picked up by a "wolfie" rocked her little world!The St. Paul Winter Carnival. We actually just went to this annual event tonight! It was about 20 degrees and not crowded at all - the perfect night to walk around and look at all of the ice sculptures. A fun (and free!) family outing...This is the 125th year of the Winter Carnival. No ice castle this year - I guess that is only every ten years or so. We'll be back!The Rum River... so pretty during every season. I will never tire of our backyard views... and if you look closely, there are tracks. Not only are there animal tracks on the river... these are snowmobile tracks. It is frozen solid (but not too trustworthy, as it's a river) and is like a snowmobile highway during the wintertime.