It is no secret that I am not a fan of winter. It is cold, and dreary and, um, COLD. All of this inside cooped-ness (I do not care that it is not a word. It is my reality!) is driving me a little insane.
When it is not cold, we are a family who lives outside all the live long day. After breakfast, we either wander the yard or go to the beach. We come inside to eat lunch. Then it is back outside/to the beach until supper. Then it is back outside until bedtime. The next day is more of the same. Lather, rinse, repeat.
This is not possible when it is snowing and twenty-five degrees BELOW FREEZING.
We have had a bit of a “warm” spell lately. Tomorrow? It is supposed to be a balmy eight degrees above freezing. If I were any happier about this, I would be pooping daisies.
Apart from the whole “kids are bouncing off of the walls” factor, I love any season but winter for another reason.
I get to take photos OUTSIDE.
I do not like to use a flash for taking photos. While my sweet 50mm has helped me to take better photos indoors, it is still not the same. Even when I stick my kids in front of the window with natural light.
Outside is BETTER.
Case in point. We headed outside yesterday afternoon as a family to wander the yard. (Yes, I am a day behind in posting. I took over a hundred photos yesterday. Do you have any idea how long it takes to sort and edit a hundred photos? Good thing it is something I enjoy.)
Miss Emily was rocking her snow boots. And also? Walking in them! They are so big and clunky that I wondered if I had made a mistake in buying them. Apparently not.
She was also all over “mowing” the snow for us. If only she could make it disappear entirely.
She had to do some “engine work”.
All was well. She got right back to it.
I took way more photos of her than the dudes, because all three guys were immersed in a snowball fight.
Emily was a little mesmerized by the whole snowball fight extravaganza.
I asked Graham for a nice photo and he (Wonder of all wonders!) obliged.
So did Nathan. Shocking.
Nathan then proceeded to take part in his favourite pastime. Eating snow.
Emily wants to do anything and everything that her brothers do.
Yesterday gave me hope that winter really cannot stay forever. You would think I would know this by now, but being immersed in the winter doldrums makes me wonder sometimes if I will ever escape.
Spring really is just around the corner. Right?
I will leave you with a shot of Emily that is now one of my all-time favourites.
She is rocking the kissy-face. I wonder who she learned that from?
39 Comments
Haha, she is doing the kissy face!!! That’s so funny! 
Great photos. As usual!
Hannah’s last blog post..Ode to Grandparents
Comment by Hannah on February 11th, 2008 @ 7:39 pmEmily’s kissy-face is priceless! And CUTE!
Kristin’s last blog post..38 Weeks & bits from the weekend.
Comment by Kristin on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:04 pmLOVE the kissy face. I am also envious that you have a beach close by!
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog:Westminster Dog Show
Comment by Loralee on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:09 pmI love the last shot of Miss Emily!
bethany actually’s last blog post..Annalie & Kenny have a conversation
Comment by bethany actually on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:20 pmLove, love, LOVE that photo! What a fabulous face, she’s definately the spittin’ image of you. How great is that!
Ashley’s last blog post..Stinkin’ Vancouver
Comment by Ashley on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:23 pmAhh! The kissy face is ADORABLE.
metalia’s last blog post..The Real Reasons I Love Football
Comment by metalia on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:26 pmOMG the kissy face!!!! I didn’t think little Em could get much cuter! It needs to be framed (I know of a nice photo screen, in fact! haha!)
Comment by Emily on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:29 pmAwww - the kissy face is so adorable!
You are right - spring is definitely right around the corner. I’m believing that with all my strength, because that’s what’s getting me through these grey and dreary days. I cannot wait to see the sun, the beautiful flowers, and the sun!
And lucky you, you’ve got a wonderful trip to Mexico coming up that you can look forward to!
Sharon’s last blog post..Going to the Dr. [UPDATED]
AAAHHHH SHE IS SOOOOO CUTE!!! I love the first close up of her. And the kissy-face? She looks like a LITTLE GIRL not a TODDLER!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Healthy(er) Chocolate Chip Cookies
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:45 pmi love when my nephew does the kissy face- SO cute. spring is coming…but not soon enough.
don’t eat the yellow snow, kids.
sizzle’s last blog post..A Walk In The Park
Comment by sizzle on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:52 pmSpring IS just right around the corner. Hang in there! : )
Victoria’s last blog post..X is for Xavier Rudd
Comment by Victoria on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:58 pmI saw the light at the end of the winter tunnel when I was in the GAP two weeks ago and they had SHORTS!!! Woo hoo!
Comment by Kaili on February 11th, 2008 @ 8:59 pmI’m with sizzle, teach them not to eat the yellow snow.
Miss Emily is becoming even more adorable. The kissy face! *melt*
witchypoo’s last blog post..How they found me
Comment by witchypoo on February 11th, 2008 @ 9:02 pmThat last picture is one of the cutest pictures I’ve ever seen!!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Ummm? not so much
Comment by Elizabeth on February 11th, 2008 @ 9:19 pmI SO hear you. It was warm enough today to venture out sans heavy winter jacket. I rejoiced! (You can come bask in our early warmth anytime. I promise to make it not rain.) ; )
kerrianne’s last blog post..Talk Is Cheap, Baby; Wine’s Expensive
Comment by kerrianne on February 11th, 2008 @ 9:23 pmI love that you can totally tell that Ms. Emily has two big brothers :D–you know, when she was fixing the engine and all.
Meg’s last blog post..All over the place!
Comment by Meg on February 11th, 2008 @ 10:00 pmThat is my favourite of Emily too! I think I told you that already on flickr 
It was balmy here today too! It’s supposed to rain Friday from 40 below to rain … wow!
mommyknows’s last blog post..A Bear from Texas, 2 Winners (and an Itty Bitty Giveaway).
Comment by mommyknows on February 11th, 2008 @ 10:08 pmIf it makes you feel any better- I talked to my parents this weekend (who still live in Alaska) it had been -45 below zero where they live and -70 below in a village not far away!!!
8 degrees really can be balmy.
This was my reality growing up, so I’m taking full advantage of these 65 degree days in Feb.
180/360’s last blog post..Macro-mé
Comment by 180/360 on February 11th, 2008 @ 10:22 pmI love that last one of Miss E too!
Love it!
Karen’s last blog post..My kidlets.
Comment by Karen on February 11th, 2008 @ 10:25 pmI say it over and over again - CAN SHE BE ANY CUTER????? I love all of Emily’s winter apparel she is so adorable. Of course, so are the dudes!
Comment by Michele on February 11th, 2008 @ 11:11 pma-dor-a-ble pics! AND… I’m TOTALLY with you on the hating winter & cold. I am so sick of it right now. Sure I live in Canada but that doesn’t mean I have to like the cold!
mmm 50mm - on my list for this weekend!
Holly’s last blog post..Interesting?
akk the kissy face is WAY too ADORABLE! thats my fave of her too! I have the winter blues here too..only we have no snow, just rain, RAIN RAIN ALL DAY EVERYDAY THERE IS RAIN..ok sorry, got a tad carried away there.
Comment by jenn on February 12th, 2008 @ 6:11 amUgh, this cold is the pits. Love your photos of the kids having fun in the snow. Makes me shiver though.
How many more days until you head to the warm vacationland?
TheAngelForever’s last blog post..Great green globs of eye boogers
Comment by TheAngelForever on February 12th, 2008 @ 6:58 amOkay, you need to send Graham and Nathan over here to teach Jack about obliging for a good shot. Those are fantastic!
I am hating winter too and wonder of all wonders (LOVE THAAT) it’s only -10 here today.
We’ll take what we can get!
Counting the days till Vancouver
Kami’s last blog post..Mr. and Mrs. Grumpypants
What a cutie! I love her little pink hat.
Moose in the Kitchen’s last blog post..Elk Don’t Serve Onion Rings
Comment by Moose in the Kitchen on February 12th, 2008 @ 8:24 amthe kissy-face! love that!
i love how kids are always happy in the snow. i HATE the snow…but they always seem to love it!
ali’s last blog post..tendonitis. and thai cooking. and getting toasted.
Comment by ali on February 12th, 2008 @ 8:47 amI know what you mean about winter too. I usually get a touch of the SAD every year around this time. I’ve managed to stave it off so far, but I’m praying for warm sunshine to hurry up and melt all this snow!
The kissy face is so sweet, she looks just like her mommy.
yes… the days of endless beach- going. Hurry up summer.
Comment by kelly on February 12th, 2008 @ 10:35 amShe does look so much like you in that last shot.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..I hope the Universe doesn’t have a Google Reader account
Comment by She Likes Purple on February 12th, 2008 @ 12:36 pmYour kids are so adorable!
I am SO ready for spring.
Kristabella’s last blog post..There’s A Hole In The Bucket
Comment by Kristabella on February 12th, 2008 @ 12:47 pmIt sounds like you need to move to the southern states! I COULD NOT live in temps below freezing…EVER!
SouthernBelle’s last blog post..Family Traditions
Comment by SouthernBelle on February 12th, 2008 @ 1:52 pmthe temperature at my house says 9 degrees. sweater weather! woo hoo!
Vicki’s last blog post..Common Sense
Comment by Vicki on February 12th, 2008 @ 2:18 pmOH! That is sooooo your kissy face! I love it!
saj’s last blog post..Under the influence of a Toddler
Comment by saj on February 12th, 2008 @ 3:19 pmLOVE the last picture!
Lisa’s last blog post..Seriously?
Comment by Lisa on February 12th, 2008 @ 4:35 pmAwww…cute shots. I feel for ya on the cold. I am glad I live in Texas where it isn’t that cold most of the year. And I hate taking shots inside too. Outside and in natural light is the best!!
I love that shot of Emily too. Awwww - she’s so cute. Well, all your kids are cute, but that shot is really good!
Dana’s last blog post..6 Weird Things About Me
Comment by Dana on February 12th, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
Although I LOVE all of your flower photos, Angella–please do not take a picture of those daisies
Comment by The Over-Thinker on February 11th, 2008 @ 7:23 pmThe Over-Thinker’s last blog post..If Boomshine were crack, I’d be hooked on crack.