It's all white!

The snow has arrived again! Yesterday about 5 inches worth fell on top of the snow that was already there. I woke up thinking the boys would be having another snow day. Thankfully off they went, covered in their snow trousers and snow boots.
They had a snow day last week because the temperatures dropped to -16c. But the windchill took it another ten degrees lower! We have not felt a chill like that ever before and i fear this is only the beginning!
Luckily it isn't as cold today but it's expected to come back with a vengeance tomorrow.

So Christmas and New Year has come and gone. I wasn't feeling very Christmassy at all. It felt strange at first, i'm not very good at change.. go figure.. lol. But after we got everything up from santas grotto (the basement!!Counted our blessings for that helpful area!) It looked and felt a lot better. We went way to far in spoiling them. But considering a year ago we didn't get them too much because of coming over here, we had to warrant a little extra. I never thought i would say this in a month of sundays.. but oh man do i miss the usefulness of the One Pound Shop...(THIS AMERICAN KEYBOARD HAS NO POUND SIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!) Anyhoo.. you cannot get a lot for a $ over here.. see.. that's where the POUND sign normally is..but instead its a $ $ $...grrr"" So ..The countless stocking fillers.. were a lot more than normal. For THE SAME TAT!
Rita was here to help with the craziness, and i think she was quite overwhelmed by the amount the boys had. It took us 8 hours to get through all the presents, with a cooked breakfast and copious amounts of tea.. we did it. I was cooking the dinner in stages so that when it came to 4pm we were ready to go. The only thing we should have done (to add to the tradition) was streamed the Queens' speech.. :)
Boxing day isn't really celebrated over here, so the next day we lounged around in our pyjamas and tried to organise their new stuff.
Over the course of time whilst Rita was here, Dave and i had a couple of date nights. One to see Hunger Games (FINALLY) and the other to get completely wasted with our not so innocent neighbours. We were the most drunk we have ever been in a LONG time! The dirty Mcdonalds at 3am certainly didn't help. But it was so much fun and it was the first time since being out here that we got drunk together with a lovely bunch of friends. Needless to say Dave suffered the next day and i was fine :)
The same day Rita flew out, mum and Mick flew in. It's funny how you get used to only seeing people a few weeks at a time. Mum and i used to see each other at least twice a week, whereas now it is a lot longer inbetween. It's been so nice having family over. Seeing the boys giggling and conversing with each of them, it is so lovely to watch, but it always makes me feel guilty to have taken the boys away from them. Now they are stuck with us boring lot and don't get me wrong, they are completely spoilt, it's just they can't see why.
No sooner had the boys gone back to school, Ollie came home sick the second day in! He came down with another tummy bug. Thankfully it only lasted 12 hours and he was right as rain the next day. Crossing fingers and toes that we aren't hit too hard this winter!

The boys have been wonderful. It has been amazing to see the transformation of Finlay in the last few months, i'm struggling to keep up with the demands for home made baby food! Time to introduce the steaks i think :) Lucas and Ollie are their usual selves, all about the video games, football and playing with the neighbours.

So aside from the dirty Martinis', family flying in, Christmas, New Year and sickness.. it's been a quiet month..?!
In less than a month Lucas will be having his first American birthday and yes he has been reminding us constantly that he is the only one who hasn't had his birthday out here! We will then be closer to living out here for 12 months come March.
It has been a really challenging year, lots of tears, frustrations and arguments. But lots of laughs, giggles and new friends made. I am really hoping that this year will be less dramatic and more relaxing. But with 4 kids (including Dave) i know my feet won't sit still and i'll be nailing my 10,000 steps on my step tracker!

So now, Lucas and Ollie have convinced me to join some game called Clash of clans.. apparently i'm late to the program on that one.. and they are going to teach me how to play it.. even mum is playing it.. so i've definitely lost cool mum points!!!

Anyhoo Finlay beckons and i need to eat more Wotsits and monster munch before the boys get back from school.

Thankyou to everyone that sent things for Christmas. I haven't yet figured the postal system, but once i do you'll be hearing from me :)

Much love to you all

xxxxxx