Winter in Michigan

After returning from our whirlwind holiday tour, both Marie and Joey came down with colds. So, we laid low for at least a week. We've been hanging out in our basement much more lately. The kids could spend hours down there with the sand table, basketball hoop, golf game, and now bikes. Marie's big Christmas gift (and Epiphany surprise when we got home) was a bike. She caught on really quickly and loves her "McQueen" bike. Sure glad we didn't go the Princess route. She even generously said that since she got the new bike Joey could use her old trike.


Since we've been home, we've had a couple of good snows. Actually, just until this weekend, at least most of our hill has been covered. You know what that means....sledding! We've gotten out quite a bit and have had friends over a couple of times. The spot lights on the back of our house even allow for nighttime sledding, which is super nice since Jon doesn't get home from work until after dark.

Marie and Joey both really enjoy it. Marie is definitely better about climbing back up this year, but there is still some progress that could be made in that area. Joey hasn't quite grasped that it takes a little time to get back to the top before you can go down again. He's always ready to GO!

Since the snow has been around for a while it has gotten a little packed down. This makes for fast runs. We've had a couple of (minor) collisions with the trees at the bottom of the hill, but no injuries...yet. We eventually just had to say that there could be no kids riding down without being accompanied by an adult, which should make things at least a little more safe.

Jon and Joey.

Marie going solo.

The ride down is well worth the trek back up!

Marie's point of rest after a glancing blow to the tree on the right. She was excited and ready to go again afterward!

Sledding with our buddy, Max!

The kids have also found that sliding down the hill sled-less is quite fun. They both enjoyed sliding down backwards on their tummies. Marie finally decided she had had enough when she couldn't keep her snow pants tucked in her boots and was scraping her knees on the snow.

The weather has been warmer lately and this weekend it rained. So...we'll have to wait a while before getting back on the sleds. But, this is Michigan after all, so we're sure the hill will be open again soon. Everyone is invited to come join in on the fun!

We'll leave you with a few kids stories we've been storing up and "Deep Thoughts...by Marie Shibata."


At supper, Jon is describing his day at work when he had to drive to Pontiac for a meeting.
Jon: I decided to see if going a different way would be quicker. I was on the highway and there was a lot of traffic. I knew I was getting close so I just jumped on a side road.
Marie: Daddy. Why didn’t you drive your car?


While driving to Ohio for Christmas break...
Marie: I called Joey, "Joe" because that’s his name.
Mom: What else do you call Joey?
Marie: Umm…I think "Abraham Joseph".
Mom: You mean "Joseph Abraham".
Marie: Yeah. Sometimes "Buddy".
Mom: How about "Little Brother"?
Marie: Yeah.
Mom: And do we sometimes call you "Big Sister"?
Dad: What else do we call you?
Marie: "Marie", "Marie Anna". Sometimes you call me…"HEY"!


Marie is learning to ride the new bike she got for Christmas in the basement. She is not used to braking when she reverses the pedals (her tricycle didn’t have brakes). She starts to yell and kick her feet in frustration.

Jon: Marie don’t freak out.
Jon shows her again how to pedal and how to brake. She starts riding again. She pedals slowly forward.
Marie: DAD! I’m trying not to freak out!


Before bed we are praying and talking about a mystery of the Rosary. Since it is still Christmas season, we are talking about the nativity. We ask Marie what she knows about the Nativity.
Marie: Jesus was born.
Dad: Who else was there?
Marie: Mary and Joseph... they kept Jesus company until the others got there.


After talking about the mystery of the Rosary before bed, we say things that make us thankful. Marie is usually the first to go. Here is her list…

Marie: I’m thankful for rosaries that are SO special, that Jesus loves us SO much, that God made the world, and for my Sandwich Game.


The family is sitting down to eat supper...
Marie states to Mom: So... you’re my Daddy’s wife.