Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Winter Joy!

THIS is what 20% chance of percip of 1 - 2 CM looks like....and it's still coming down. We may cancel today's plans with Akiko. Remember, our driveway and yard were clear of snow last night. We'd used it all for the igloo. The boys report about a foot out there.....
From 2010
In any event, the kids will be able to add to their igloo. The neighbor seems to building a sledding him in our yard....fine if they don't crash into the house. ::snort:: I think we finally have enough snow to go sledding...now we need to find some sleds. The BX was sold out.

JOSIAH & JAMIN ARE HOME!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

January Giveaway

I've missed having books to give away since we moved to Japan. I was surfing one night and came upon Sarah's blog. It turns out Sarah lives north of us, in the very area we've been exploring the last couple of weeks. Sarah hosts a giveaway that planted a seed in my mind, the idea germinated, and I'm ready to announce Choosing Joy 2010 Giveaways.

I'll pick a theme each month. I'll post directions. You'll follow directions. Simple? I think so. More directions below.

In honor of winter, please share in the comment section (or write a blog and link) about either your favorite snow activity or snow memory.

The first time I've spent any great amount of time in a snowy climate was in Montana. Since then we've lived in Anchorage and now northern Japan. In Montana we discovered cross country skiing. I wouldn't say I ever excelled at this, but I do have fond memories of cross country skiing with our then six children (backpacks and all). In Anchorage I added snow shoes to my winter gear. These are a lot of fun. I am NOT a downhill skier....one of my favorite snow memories involves homeschool ski day when we lived in Hardin, MT. I drove up to the slopes with my children and a friend's (Rusty and Cindy and girls). First I slid into the garage at the parsonage at Rusty and Cindy's.....then I valiantly tried all day to conquer the bunny slope. The kids did; I didn't. I even plowed down a row of children.

Our kids have made a variety of things out of snow: forts, igloos, snow families....these always bring a smile to my tropics loving face. They plan to attempt a Tori gate in the future. Now you share your snow stories.

January's Giveaway

From 2010-01-12 snow,games

This month's winner will receive two ramen bowls, two rice bowls, two sushi plates, two little dishes for sauce - handles double as chopstick rest, and two sets of chopsticks. I'll throw in enough chopsticks for every member in your family.

I don't want the same person to win each month, but I don't know that I have enough readers to limit winners to once a year, so we'll try this: If you win this month's giveaway you agree not to enter another giveaway for three months, Jan. 2010 winner won't enter until May 2010. A post or comment below will earn you an entry. If you blog about the giveaway and link to it, then come back and post a link to your post, you'll earn a second entry (I guess one post sharing your memory and linking to the giveaway will earn you two entries). We'll randomly pick a winner on or after noon 31 Jan JST. I hope to post a new giveaway in the first week of each month. . . grace ladies...show me grace. ::snort::

If you are selected as a winner, you will have one week to send me your home address. I will not store your address in any form. I cannot even find my personal address book since our move. ::snort::

You do not have to be a blogger to enter. Leave your thoughts in the comment section to earn an entry. I reserve the right to discontinue Giveaway or change the rules at any time.

Have fun!

JOSIAH & JAMIN ARE HOME!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

More Games

Snow, hot chocolate, yummy dinner and a day topped off with word games and Pictionary.
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
Stacia describes the word "Princess" for her teammate.
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
The boys picked words from the dictionary that they were sure would stump Mike, they didn't.
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games

JOSIAH & JAMIN ARE HOME!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Snow Day

We have no sleds. The Kayak, however, worked well for hauling snow.
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
The kids began building an igloo. They plan to continue tomorrow.
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games

JOSIAH & JAMIN ARE HOME!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Winter View

From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games
From 2010-01-12 snow,games

We had planned either a train trip under the ocean to the next island and sightseeing or Hirosaki Castle today. Our 41* day with 0% precipitation turned into a day of snow. We didn't drive up north.

JOSIAH & JAMIN ARE HOME!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...