Snow Success!

And then... the sun came out and created the perfect snow! I would like to introduce you to Russell Fredrickson:

Name inpiration from the movie UP!

He's a good lookin' snowdude, don't ya think?


We hadn't literally seen the sun for days, so on this afternoon, it seemed like a heatwave and we had such a nice time just being outside!



Ross is standing here taking all the credit, when it was I who had to dead lift the second ball onto the first one to make this guy! And man oh man, snowman making snow is heavy!! He did find the cool stick arms with hands, though.

We had to give ole Russell some hugs:






And Max had to eat his weight in snow! We couldn't stop him. He kept telling us it was great "watery-ice" and would eat it off of his gloves...





And then I took this picture of the kids to try and capture how much snow had been shovelled and accumulated by our mailbox (it doesn't show it that well):




But, when I saw the picture on the camera I was suddenly reminded of these old pics:



Ummm... something tells me we're not in Kansas anymore, Russell.

Our Snow Event

Recently, we had "3 significant snow events in 10 days." This is only our second winter here, however, so I have no idea if that means anything at all in terms of winter norms and snow totals. What I do know, is that the snow combined with President's Day holidays has equaled a lot of days off from school! I don't mind at all though. I welcome the change from the daily grind anytime!

We did lots of shoveling... I won't bore you with those pictures. It's mostly Ross anyway. I umm... had to be inside watching the kids. (we have a very long driveway and only one shovel, and Ross likes it, sort of, so there)

We had some fun and made the best of it. We did some more sledding...




And just sitting in the snow.

And each time it snowed and we went outside, we had hopes of building a snowman. We would make our little ball and start rolling... and rolling... and rolling...

and nuthin! It just stayed in a little ball...

to be cont...

My Sweets

My little Max-man is just a sweet kiddo. He is always giving me hugs and kisses and making sure I am doing just fine. I'm not sure where it started but we have been calling each other "my sweets" lately. Sometimes out of the blue he will ask, "Am I your sweets?"

For Valentine's Day, we made these cookies for fun:



He asked if he could have one, and read what they said before picking out the one that said, "BE MINE" on it. As he nibbled on his treat, he came and hugged me and said, "Be Mine? My sweets?" Oh my melting heart:)

Getting Ready for Valentines!

We are on our second round of being stuck inside from all the snow... so it worked out as a perfect time to get the kids' school Valentine's ready.

Max got store bought ones that are from "The Penguins of Madagascar." He is our non-crafter, so with him, we just get what he likes and be done. He barely wanted to sign his name on the cards at first. But he got into it. Luckily, Zoey is the opposite when it comes to crafts, so she eagerly helped out...


For Zoey, we have to get a little crafty and creative... I am not really either of these, so thank goodness for the internet! Always inspiring Jeni did a cute Valentine project with her daughter and led me to this blog. Zoey decided on butterflies and she got to work creating these:

Aren't they the cutest little guys? I love the googly-eyes!




And now they are all ready for their school Valentine's parties. Woohoo!

Inside

That is where we have been stuck for the past 24 hours or so. The view is pretty out the window though:

And the snow at least gives meaning to the cold, right?

That's what I tell myself anyway.

So we have been making the most of our inside time. We did some crafting...

Here are Zoey and Ross coming up with the best strategy:
And putting it to work. Concentrating hard.


And after craft time... we held our own Jumping Olympics (in honor of the real ones this month, of course)

First, we have the tandem jumping jack jump... Level of difficulty - 3


Second, we have another tandem jump - the super twisty... Level of difficulty - 5 (its all about synchronization, folks)


They need a little work on that whole synchronization thing.

On to the single jumps.

Here is Zoey doing her "I need to get as high as possible and do a pike position"... Level of difficulty - 7

She did a pretty awesome job getting up high!

And last, but not least, we have Max and his single jump. It is the straight as an arrow, but hold your hands up pose! Level of difficulty - 10++ (This is due to the fact that you must also get your hair to raise straight up and say "OY")

I think he nailed it.

Sleepy Snuggle Bug

There is just no such thing as too many sleeping kid pictures, don't you think?


Zoey brought Max this stuffed doggie right before he conked out. Just in time to grab it and snuggle in. I love how huge the dog's face is too, with its big smile.

Random Things

So I am still here. You probably aren't though! HA!
I have an excuse.
Do you want to hear it? Good. 2009 wasn't the best for me. Not horrible, by any means, just not the best.

And I have coined this year, 2010, as "Twenty-ten, you are my friend!"

Corny, isn't?

I know. But I like it. It's my little theme. I chant it in my head.

And so, in keeping with all things positive... I couldn't blog much in January. Because, well, January is cold. And it is the epitome of winter. And winter is not my friend! So basically, I didn't blog because who wants to read a bunch of crazy, bitter, angry blogs about cold weather?

And now it is February and I am back. Here are 25 Random Things you may or may not know about me:


1. First, this list in itself is very difficult. I do not like to share things about myself. I have no problems with you asking me anything at all. I will answer and answer honestly, but to just write it here...

2. I was born in Kokomo, Indiana. Ever heard of it? Probably not. I lived there all of four weeks or so, and have never been back!! I hope to see it one day though.

3. I grew up 15 of my first 18 years in Germany. And, heaven forbid, I DO NOT speak German!! Sorry, I took French. When I first came back to the states people were appalled by that fact!! I, however, have never, ever come across on opportunity where I even would have used it if I had known, so you be the judge...


4. Ross and I (okay so this is not specifically about me) were born in the same year and graduated high school and college in the same years as well. This isn't too uncommon except that we met after all of the schooling was done. What is funny about it is that now we can listen to the radio and hear a song and be like, "Hey this was when we were in 10 th grade!!" And then we marvel at the fact that we were living totally separate lives, thousands of miles apart, not aware of the other... Okay, Ross doesn't, just me.



5. I pray in the shower.


6. I love really great grocery stores. A little weird, I know. A huge Whole Foods is my favorite, and I am no where near one now… sad cloud. I also LOVE COSTCO.

7. I also love the weather and weather patterns. I check the weather everyday. When we lived in Massachusettts, I checked multiple times a day. It was my only problem with Southern California (well, that and traffic of course)

8. I love traditions. Family traditions, church traditions, holiday traditions... love them. It is a precious gift from my family that I want to pass along... From special Christmas ones, to Corned Beef and Cabbage on St Patrick's Day. I think it is little things like this that make life worthwhile .

9. I love going out to eat and I love food in general. I am not a picky eater, but have come to realize that I am particular. As in, I like (insert whatever), but only if it is prepared/caught/etc. a certain way. But I’m not a food snob if I come to visit, promise

10. Sunshine is a huge deal. I think I suffer from that Seasonal Disorder and struggle with winter! If I was a dog, I’d be the lazy one laying in the sunshine all day long.

11. I used to be a pack rat, but now would be a minimalist if I could. Children and husband with “things” prevents that.

12. Although I think the song “Crash Into Me” by Dave Matthews Band is in my top ten list of songs, I think DMB overall is way overrated. I get very annoyed when people just jump on the bandwagon of things and like it just to like it.

13. I am easily annoyed in general. It’s one of those things I have to constantly work on because my face shows everything I am thinking! Although often I am thinking about something totally different and then get in trouble for my facial expression which had nothing to do with what was happening at the present moment.

14. I also wear my heart on my sleeve and cry very easily. The feelings run deep.

15. I am a girl who hates shopping. (except the fancy grocery store)

16. I love how music has an awesome ability to sway your mood.

17. Every single day I crack up over some thing my kids do. I think they are hilarious along with just being great! I cry a little too.

18. I love laughing so hard that I cry and then have to fan myself!!! Sometimes snorting comes too. It happens at least once a day when me and my sister and family are together!

19. I’m very perceptive when it comes to people. Yep, I’ve got you figured out already, but I’ll keep it a secret.

20. I think most of life’s perfect moments are surrounded by good company, good food, and a good location. That can be fancy restaurant in a cool city with my love, or sitting out on our deck with my kids eating ice cream. You make the most of your moments.

21. I haven’t ever fit in with my age group. I’m the old soul in a young body or the youthful child surrounded by wannabe adults. It took me a while to realize this and even longer to be okay with it. And now I am even thankful. It helps me keep perspective while having a snowball fight.

22. I love Guitar Hero and also the singing American Idol game. I’m not good, but seriously was a rock star in another life!

23. I want to live by the beach.

24. I’ve ran three marathons. Two before kids and one after. I think having kids (both literally and figuratively) gave me a mental toughness I didn’t have before, that helped with the training and race.

25. I love my family. I know that’s a given right? But there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them all (my extended family as well). I know I am very blessed.


Peace out, man:)