This was Livia’s chosen attire for a trip to the grocery store yesterday.

Today is Livia’s first snow day, but I’m not sure she grasps the grandiose nature of it as the morning seems a lot like our mornings for the past two days. Lots of tv, lots of cuddling on the couch. Ah, the lazy hazy days of… winter?

These shots were taken yesterday as the snow began to pile up on the ground. Livia’s never met a flake of snow she didn’t want to eat. Let’s just say I’m glad we have fresh snow for her to munch on. Keeping the old stuff out of her mouth seemed futile!

Images like this are the best thing about waking up early(ish) in the dark winter months.

After ten days off of school, I did not look forward to rousing Livia for school this week. The house is dark and cold, and frankly all of us would rather continue to snug under warm down comforters. But praise God, Liv has been energetic and sweet all week—and we both got to witness this amazing sunrise.

The Master Artist at work, ladies and gentlemen. I paint in digital images; God paints on the sky.

Today is warmish (49 degrees!) and sunny and most Nebraskans I’ve seen are not even wearing their coats today. I, however, am still clad in my winter coat and knit hat because I’m a wimp.

Livia and Papa headed out the back door and onto the frozen lake. A fisherman said the ice was five inches thick—and that was when I decided to relax a little. With the sun shining overhead, Livia took off her boots and put on a pair of slippers in hopes of adequate sliddage on the ice. Apparently, we now are in the market for a size 1 pair of ice skates.

And then we did a little singing, Easy Bake Oven style:

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear Jesus,
Happy birthday to you.

It starts out with, “We need a light bulb, some bath wash and a jar of Tums.” Then, before you know it, you’ve picked out a little somethin’-somethin’ for those late night cravings and a billion rolls of toilet paper so you won’t run out on Christmas Day.

Aunt Kristin and Livia, snuggled on the couch while watching Elf.

A day that starts with this kind of view is a day that starts out right. It’s been a beautiful and very full kind of Monday, and tonight finds me thankful for the God who made both this sunrise and each member of my family. We celebrated Christmas with the Lawton side tonight. From the crazy squeals of happy little girls, to good connection with the women of our family, to a delicious ham dinner—I am grateful.