A New Year, A New Adventure

Life is so unpredictable and we never know what will happen or where we will go.  This year will probably have its up and down and highs and lows, but that's life.  Here at the Kraus House, we have been just enjoy the simple things.  We made a decision as a family to make more time for old fashion fun.  Life is crazy busy and we forget about the simple things.  You don't need to spend a bunch of money to have fun.  So most of our adventures this year have been all about not spending hardly a penny and still having tons of fun.  We hope that you all enjoy the adventures we did and hope that you can take time out to have fun the "old fashion" way.

Jayden and I were lucky enough to fit in some time with my friend Amy and her girls; Kendra and Kylie.  Hollywood Cinema had a special that on Tuesdays the movies were $5 with free popcorn.  We went to see Frozen and loved it.  It was Kylie's first ever movie and she did great.  Amy's husband Cory joined us and I believe he was highly entertained by Jayden and his contagious laugh.

We rang the New Year in with friends, Zach and Kristin and Jeff's brother Chad and wife Stephanie.  Kristin put out all kinds of good treats and we enjoyed a few cocktails.  I did beat everyone at Wii bowling and pretty sure Stephanie and Kristin rocked the game Catch Phrase.  It sure was a great time hanging out with everyone and having a few cocktails.

The cutest couple.

It's been a little chilly here is Wisconsin so our fireplace has been keeping us warm along with the kitty.

I don't know if anyone of you have tried doing this on a freezing Wisconsin day, but you just have to try it.  We had a blast boiling water and throwing it to see what happens.  You can see a few pictures of how cool it looks.  I believe we tried this about a dozen times over the cold days in January.

 

Pretty cool how it looks.  I'd love to try throwing off our balcony some time.

Jayden has joined a group through a local nature preserve called Nature Ranger's at Bubolz Nature Center.  Every month they meet on one Saturday and get to explore in Nature.  For January they were able to try snow shoeing.  Jayden loved it!  Pretty sure we will never be able to get him out of loving being outside, he just loves being out in it.

Orange anyone?

Santa brought Jayden this Marker Maker and he loves making his own colors and naming them too.

We are very lucky to live right by a popular snow hill.  We made a visit there not too long ago and here is a little fun.  Notice how Jayden is riding?  He is riding his boogie board on his feet.


Posing for the camera.

What else do you do in the winter while your parents shovel?  Make a snow hill.

Having a blast riding his hill.

Along with all that is above, our family has enjoyed many battles of card games and board games.  Pretty sure that I will never win against the guys, but we sure have tons of fun.

We hope that everyone is enjoying the New Year and hope that everyone can partake in some new adventures.

Until next time...

Jeff, Heather and Jayden