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| Michael the snow shoveler |
I think 99% of us here in Wisconsin are ready for winter to ease up a little. How many sub-zero days in a row have there been, anyway? I've lost count. Certainly there's been plenty of snow (though a snowy cold winter is much better than a snowless winter... especially around here, where snowmobiling and winter recreation are big industries. I'm not complaining about the snow).
Part of the feeling of hardship this winter is that many of us are feeling the cold INDOORS, as well. Fuel prices are high and we're turning our thermostats down in an attempt to put off that painful call for the fuel truck. The level of chill you can tolerate is a personal decision, but we've been hovering at around 55 degrees during the day and 50 at night. The first week or so of those temps felt like true hardship, but now we're all kind of used to it. We dress differently: socks are not optional. Layers are the way to go. If you're not walking around doing something, you better tuck a blanket around your lap. And it's still WAY WARMER than it is outside, so you appreciate that.
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| Happy Birthday, Jackson! |
We recently celebrated a big event: our grandson Jack's 3rd birthday. Jonathan and Alicia had a birthday party for him at their home, and it was a lot of fun. I apologize in advance for the blurriness of many of my pictures... the auto-focus of my camera isn't working, so if anyone moves I'm in trouble. So I'm going to supplement my blurry pictures with other people's better pictures.
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| Jackson and Daddy |
What was life like before Jackson Hurlburt? Definitely not as fun or full. His smile and all his little ways (including his mischief) are an ongoing source of delight for us. One of the neatest things has been seeing how life-changing fatherhood has been for Jonathan. His perspective and his way of interacting with the world has changed so much. We're very proud of how he's stepped up to the plate. And we're enjoying all the visits with him as we build that relationship with little Jack.
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| Alicia, Gabe, and Ayla |
One big development this past year has been the addition of these lovely people into Jonathan and Jack's lives... Alicia and her children, Gabe and Ayla.
I know from experience that step-parenthood has it's challenges. Of course it's not ideal... ideally, the original nuclear family would all be together and there would be no stepparents. But when that's not possible, step parenthood is a wonderful alternative. When it's done well, and when the relationships are built slowly, it can be a solid, loving support for the children. And it's a mutual benefit: the children can bring SO much joy to the stepparents.
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| Very hard to get kids to stay still |
So we have every hope that this blending of family experiences will be a positive one for Jack, Ayla, and Gabe. We love Alicia's gentle, creative spirit. We love how content and happy Jonathan seems to be. But I better shut up and stop jinxing it with all my sentimentalizing and reflections. Suffice it to say everyone seems to be moving in a happy and healthy direction right now!
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| Angry Bird cake for Jack |
This was our first opportunity to meet Alicia's parents and one of her sisters. Of course, Gabe and Ayla were there as well, and we brought along Grandma Jane and our kids, so Jack had lots of attention and kids to play with. He did a great job opening all of his many presents and even got to play with a few.
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| Susan's present was a hit |
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| Ayla and Leila |
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| Gabe in the cool downstairs playroom |
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| Love this sign Alicia made |
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| And she made Jack an Angry Bird pizza! |
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| Party food |
I will close with a picture of Leila with a special friend, Jenna. Jenna came and stayed overnight a couple of weeks ago.
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| Jenna and Leila |
