Day 171: making memories outside and in

We had our first of many Christmas celebrations this weekend.  This one took us to a small town in western WI where my husband's family is from. We love visiting this side of the family and always feel so envious of the beauty that they are surrounded by on a daily basis.  We stayed with an aunt and uncle you live on many acres of land looking at this out their living room window.

 
Oh yes a bird feeder that actually has birds! We did so much bird watching over the last two days and Sam loved every minute of it.

 
With bushes and trees close by out their windows we were able to watch as the chickadees, tufted titmouses, cardinals, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, juncos, blue jays and many more all grabbed seeds and then came to the bushes to eat.

Our favorite part was the times when Sam would go yelling up to the window "CHICKADEE!" and be right about the bird that she was looking at and then when it flew away she would say "Oh, it flew away." in her little disappointed voice!

 
It was great to do the kind of indoor birding that I have been longing for at our own house. Sam even got to help Uncle Grant refill the feeders which was a thrill and a proud moment for her.

Another great (green related!) memory that we made this weekend as a visit to the local Wild West town for a horse drawn sleigh ride.

 
 
The girls loved seeing (and hearing) the horses, riding on the sleigh and singing jingle bells while we tried not to freeze! It was colder than we were prepared for (thank you Aunt Cindy for the blankets!).  I don't have any pictures of us actually on the sled during our ride because I was so focused on keeping hands, arms and legs of both girls tucked under blankets that I couldn't get the camera out.

But the ride was great and a memory I will never forget!

It is always amazing to see family, reconnect and visit but being able to spend some time outside, see the beauty of that part of the state and continue to teach my girls makes it even better!

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The Nitty Gritty!

Just a couple of things I wanted to share tonight. WE HAVE BIRDS! As soon as we got home from our little trip today Sam and I went to the window to check out feeder; the excitement of the birding we had just left made us anxious to check on ours. And what did we see? Two chickadees and a junco! Sam was so excited and screamed CHICKADEE MOM! I was a pretty proud momma. So you can be sure I am going to load up those feeders first thing tomorrow morning with plenty of seed so that hopefully the birds will stick around for a while.

Have you heard about Outdoor Baby Network? It is very similar to other blogging networks with discussions, groups to join and people to become "friends" with BUT this one is all about getting outside with your kids! I am discovering SO many great like minded people it is amazing. And the information that is being shared in the different groups is priceless. I have been pretty active in the camping group and have gained a ton of new tips and tricks to try with the girls. I just know that this network is going to be amazing. So get involved from the beginning! There are giveaways going on right now for new members (and one for old members that can recruit new members!) so if you visit and decide to join be sure to write on my page that you joined based on my invitation! I would love to win the pacsafe family friendly travel bags.

Okay, enough for today. Traveling always makes me exhausted and we will be doing it again in just two days!

Comments

[welcome to our wonderland]

first off awesome that you got to have a horse drawn wagon ride my girls would be so excited to do that! Even I would love it clydesdale's are my favorite horses of all time!!

I'm so happy and excited that you have birds yea!!!! I hope to put ours out this week (still gotta get bird seed tomorrow).

I joined outdoor baby hope that is ok since I don't have a baby but I do have a preschooler. :)

[Teresa]

The winter time bird feeder visitors up here amaze me - it is so cold - I can't imagine how anything can survive when it's so far below zero - and yet these little birds come out of the bushes...I wonder they're not frozen solid...

[Debi]

Totally jealous of your horse-drawn sleigh ride - even if it was freezing out (doesn't it need to be, really?). And congrats to you on your backyard birding success!

[sarah@theunwrapping]

sounds like a lovely visit. and ooooh a sleigh ride -- that's on my life list :)

hooray for birds!!

[liz]

Oooh, those horse drawn sleighs made me yearn for snow and "the good old days!"

So picturesque and charming!