Playing Out

 The boys favorite thing about Marshall, besides having our family together, is playing out.  That's how they say it here. Not "playing outside" like we would say at home. Just "playing out." Like our neighbor John will say, "Hi boys!  You playing out?"

 Speaking of John, that's him in the background with his niece Megan, and driving towards us is his son Kayle and their family friend Khaila.  We just adore Kayle- he is sweet, polite & kind, and our boys think he is the coolest kid ever (!!!) because he has his own 4-wheeler and is only in first grade!

 Aside from snowmobile/4-wheeler watching outside, the boys enjoy sliding. Not on a slide, mind you, just on the HUMONGOUS snow drifts out front.

 Grandma & Papa enjoyed many an afternoon watching our giggly boys climb up...

 and then...

 slide down!

 They have no fear.

No fear at all!

 They play really well together outside, which is so convenient.
Their twin is their built-in playmate!

 One morning we went on a walk to the store and when we were done we let the boys play on the big diggers we passed.

 Unfortunately on the way home, the weather turned. Our blue skies turned grey and a nasty wind began blowing.  Lucky for Logan & Jack, Grandma & Papa came prepared and those boys got sled rides all the way home!

 The snow drift directly in front of our house is less of a slide,
and more of a drop off,
but the boys enjoy it just the same!

 And I'm not complaining--
all the hiking up in the deep snow is a good workout,
and they tend to sleep really good on nights we've been out!

 One afternoon Josh, Carol & Carl took the twins out to play so I could have some time to myself (thank you very much!) and they enjoyed playing at the school park,

 as well as playing on the forklift that has been abandon on the side of the road since Josh arrived in August.

 Logan was especially sad to leave when it was time to go!

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 When we play out, we tend to meet all kinds of kids, and for me, that's the exciting part.  For instance, last week we met this little girl, Katherine, who is four years old.  She was just out for a walk, all on her own.  She was absolutely adorable.

 And this is her puppy, whom she told me is named Beaver. 

How precious is he?

The boys played snowball fight with Katherine and I just stood there, holding her dog up out of the snow in my warm arms until he fell asleep, moaning softly in delight.  He was just the sweetest thing, and I was grateful she shared him with me for the afternoon.

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The weather, since Carol & Carl's departure, has been cold. It was -10 this morning.  But we are ever hopeful that we will see more spring weather (unlike the four inches of fresh snow we got Wednesday night...) and have more chances to venture out, meeting new friends & experiencing new things!