Grumpy and not so grumpy

Last week we had our first snow since moving to Washington.

So, needless to say, I was walking in a lot of this on the way to and from the barn. If only it stayed at this nice depth the whole time.

Toni llama is not very fond of the snow it seems.

In fact, both Toni and Dolly have been quite grumpy since the snow began. Dolly has no trouble communicating. Right this minute Im hearing her scold Toni (yet again) for her eating technique. Which really just means, stay outta my bucket.

There have been lots of frozen water buckets to tend to.

And of course, when its really cold, you can see your breath.

Grumpy llamas aside....G is very happy to see the snow.

I think last week J and G had zero days of school due to the snow and Thanksgiving break. They werent concerned.

First order of business? Test the packing ability of the snow.

J says its too dry for snowballs.

G, always the one to try and prove his big brother wrong....thinks the snow is just fine. See, he says.

How could J walk away from that?

After the snow"ball" fight...it was decided to move onto bigger and better things.

For some reason, the sleds didnt make it on the move here...or, they just havent been found yet...Im not certain. I need to look in the barn attic. But in the interim, J tends to be quite resourceful.

A wading pool seems like a great alternative. Run...

Jump in... GO! Yeah, not so much.

Maybe if he turns backwards.

Him and G try to figure this out.

And with lack of a better idea...G decides just to push him down the hill.

A few trips down the hill later...hot cocoa is in order.

Coop update

As you can see, we are really making some great progress on the coop.


Kidding.

We (meaning my husband and some occasional helpers) are actually making exceptional progress.

J has really been enjoying learning how to build things.

This was a week or so ago. This will be the front of the coop.

Right side facing the barn.


Left side where the little pop out door will be.

Front after all the siding and roof is on. And an opening for a door. :-)

Left side again which will contain the pop out door. The roof is visible in this picture, too.

Meet a couple of said helpers. Kip really wants to know whats going on.

Him and Niko go in to check things out.


Just a little itch.

I think Niko really feels that if he asks me just right and looks at me just so...that maybe I will let him and the boys have this new little house.

I told him I didnt think so and Im not sure, but he may be throwing a fit right here...

But soon Kip came over to talk things over with him. And even tho Niko still looked a little distraught over this...

They felt a much better plan was to head out and see what S had in his little basket.

Theres still more work that needs to be done on the coop. There are corner pieces to be put on and windows to be installed, among other odds and ins. But it has really come together quickly and since the majority of the structure is put together, some of the smaller, last minute things can wait if they need to.

Especially since we woke up to this.


4 inches of it.

Our first snow in Washington.

A very pretty wake up

Im pretty sure I mentioned that we have been getting snow. Around here, its not actually the snow that causes too many problems.

But the drifting on the other hand...it can be an issue.

I have to say tho, that this is one of my favorite sights to wake up to in winter.

A hoarfrost: a deposit of needle-like ice crystals formed on the ground by direct condensation at temperatures below freezing point Also called white frost.

So, naturally, I had to go out in my jammies and snow boots to take some pictures.

It can make everything look pretty.

I think it just makes everything look so magical.

And feathery.

It leaves the grass covered in what looks like a layer of down.

Its much more dramatic looking when you dont have snow everywhere else.

My little red twigged dogwood...nearly buried in the snow.

Its one of the small things that I actually like about winter.

Snow day!

Shoveling the drive is the perfect time to get to play with friends.

A little time is needed to get reacquainted.

So quick she is to make friends. A little one on one time proves to be fun for her.

And then look who shows up.

This is not as bad as it looks. I promise.

And darby lets them know who is in charge!


A friendly pursuit.


A little challenging to get over the big mound of snow.

Clearly shes on a mission.

Ah yes...a tunnel. Everyone loves a good tunnel.




So sleepy.