Catching up..... Winter

Winter is here.

I mean, real winter.

Snow and more snow, temperatures plunging to -38 C  with the windchill.

Ice roads going across the lake, opening up the new world of Moosonee to us.

We're loving it.

Especially Josiah.  He's always thrived in cold temperatures.  As soon as it hit -20, he spent more time outside than ever.  It's like that every year.  He seems to love cold.

Both children have always loved winter. 

Snow angels are a favourite.

"Look, Mommy!  I'm Mary and this is Baby Jesus!"

This little puppy wanted to make our home his.

The children did too.

Sadly, Mommy & Daddy weren't ready for that.   He hung around for awhile, then disappeared, we hope to a good home.  So many dogs come around.  It's hard to know what to do!  

Josiah saw this on a movie and set it up on his own, making music with glasses of water.

Making use of the red willow we found by the dump!

Wreaths made out of paper plates

3D stars made from paper (we hung them over the kitchen cupboard doors)

We had an "early Christmas."  It was all about music this year! 

Josiah's buddies helped us make ( and eat!) sugar cookies

Seems we have more time to sit and read to our kids here!  I guess there are some positive things to not knowing so many people or being involved in as many things.

Josiah's Christmas Concert.  The close-up picture I took was REALLY blurry.

Loading up the sled to head over to Moosonee to "catch the train!"  Yep, on our way south for the holidays!

On the river, looking towards Moosonee.  The ride was uneventful other than the ski-doo flipping over   and causing the driver and myself to roll off!  

We had a great time traveling and visiting with family and friends.  The children did better with travels than they'd ever done before.  We took the train to Toronto, spent the weekend with Phil's family, than drove to Pennsylvania to visit my family for a week, headed back to southern Ontario for the last week.  We drove to Orillia one day to see my sister, Michelle, and her family.  It was great to make connections with everyone, do some much-needed shopping, etc.

Coming back was a bit difficult.  Both children wanted to go "home to Thunder Bay."  Moose Factory doesn't quite have that home feel yet.  I know what they mean.  Although it's been going well, feels adventurous, etc., we don't have that pull that comes from home.   

It helped that Tom (Phil's bro), his wife Rita, and son Evan came along with us!  They stayed for a week and there was never a dull moment.... especially with Elena and Evan entertaining us with their "toddler" squabbles!

Tom and Phil got an old ski-doo running that's been providing a lot of fun, especially for the guys!  Never mind that it's an antique.  It's bringing some interesting "looks" from the community.   =)   Most people really like it and say it brings back floods of memories.

Enough for now.  I'll try to post more pictures.  I have lots of them....  and hopefully won't wait as long to get them on here.