Snow Days!

I woke up yesterday morning to H hooting and hollering her way down the hall. I couldn't imagine what was going on, until she ran into my room, started tickling me to wake me up, an with all of the excitement a 4 year old can muster, informed me that is was snowing.

Growing up in Buffalo, I have seen my fair share of the white stuff, but I still remember those nights where it would start snowing and we were glued to the windows, watching it fall, trying to convince ourselves it would accumulate! It did, and by March we were at the same windows, watching it melt, hoping it would soon be warm enough to go back outside!

Here, we don't have that luxury. Snow is a "here today, gone tomorrow" commodity, so when it snows, you have to go play outside! We were out in the backyard by 8:30 yesterday morning, making snow angels, snow castles, snow balls, and sledding down a small hill in the backyard. I probably have another year or 2 with that hill before I need to find something bigger, but for now, it works, and they love it!

H's favorite part of the snow? Coming back in for some Snowman Soup! Hot cocoa with marshmallows, Hershey's kisses and mini candy canes. It is really good - I can't blame her!

Today it is another snow day, but this time due to ice - I think it will be a good day to stay inside!

Much Ado...

About somethings!!!

What a busy week we have had! R's sister and her son came to visit for the week and we have been having a great time!

On Monday, we went to the Air and Space Museum. They have a new exhibit there where you can actually sit in the front seat of a 2 seater Cessna plane! The kids all had a seat, and were able to play with the controls. H was the "Catch of the Day" on Friday, so she was able to take home the class pet, Buster. We have a lot of pictures of Buster in the Museum too - he had quite a learning experience! Both of the girls were most excited about the "Pace Shuttle" which of course made Daddy very, very happy! We saw all kinds of planes, saw the "Fighter Pilot" IMAX movie and Aunt M took H in the flight simulator. Everyone had a great time and we were *exhausted* when we left!

Monday night the girls headed over to a friends house, the whole reason that R's sister is visiting is so we could attend the Inauguration of President Obama! We got up at 1 am and bundled up - dressed in many layers, boots, snow pants, gloves, mittens, and headed out. After a long ride on the Metro which was backed up, we finally got on the Mall at about 6am. We had a great viewing location and while we were packed in like sardines, the atmostphere was so happy and festive! There were 21 Jumbotron screens on the Mall, so we were able to see and hear everything as it was happening - and even hear Obama's speech echoing among the buildings. It was a long day and for a little while we weren't sure how we were going to get home - security restrictions made travelling difficult! Finally we hopped on a Metro and grabbed the shuttle bus back to our car - all 4 of us fell asleep on the bus we were so exhausted!

As long as a day it was, it was totally worth it to be part of such a historical event!

Wednesday was spent recouperating. The girls went back to school, R's sister and nephew went out and grabbed some breakfast and did some shopping and I got some much needed quiet time! It was so nice to go to Yoga on Wednesday night and stretch out after such a long day on Tuesday!

The rest of the time we have been hanging out. R's sister took a day trip on Thursday and Friday we took some photos. Today they are heading back to the great white North and I have to whip the house into shape for Bunco!

It was a great week and so much fun to have houseguests again!

We are gearing up for several busy weeks ahead, but I will post when I can!

Ugh.

As anyone with kids is aware, kids get sick. They get colds, fevers, stomach bugs and other minor ailments throughout the course of the year. I do count my blessings, as my children seem to be free of most kid illnesses. They pick up a bug here or there, but get over it quickly and with few complications!

The worst part though, is when the kids pass on the illnesses to the parents. Shortly before Thanksgiving, my youngest picked up a stomach bug that she willingly shared, leaving me puking on my friends front lawn.

This time around, my younges (see...she is a TROUBLEMAKER!!), passed along a cold that has left me with a sinus infection. Being sick with small children is no fun, at all. Luckily, I am blessed with wonderful friends and a babysitter who currently has daytime availalbility!

So, many thanks to the sitter who came and hung out with the kids while I went to the doctor, and also to Miss Jennifer, who let me drop the girls off at playgroup so I could go home and take a nap!

Hopefully with some antibiotics, NyQuil, Mucinex and fluids I will be back in the game tomorrow!!

Update!!!

I am happy to report that my friend had 3 very healthy babies on Tuesday!!!! Congratulations!!!!

This One's For You, My Friend!

I have this friend, who I have known for 9 years. It doesn't even seem POSSIBLE that is has been that long! She actually was the person who brought me into my first professional job. She called me to interview for a position elsewhere in the company, and we hit it off, so instead I went to work in her Department. It was a job I loved in a line of work that I would never go back to, but it brought a few people into my life that I am forever grateful to have!

Nine years is a long time. When we first met we weren't even married yet. Both of us worked a lot, and when you spend that much time with someone, you really do learn an awful lot about them! In those nine years we have seen each other through weddings, divorces, job changes, the passing of loved ones, new homes, new attitudes and completely new lives.

We are now 2 old married women with a greater appreciation for everything that life brings to the table. The good, the bad and the ugly - it all has its place and it all contributes to who we are and how we view the world.

So, I dedicate this post to a very special friend, who is a very special woman. Currently the Mother of 1, my dear friend will become the Mother of 4 tomorrow after she gives birth to a set of triplets. It has been a wonderful thing to watch and I wish her and her amazing family all the best as they navigate the world of multiples!



To my friend C, thank you for that fateful phone call 9 years ago that kickstarted a long and wonderful friendship. I will be thinking of you all morning and will be there for you when you need an extra set of arms!

A very UN-exciting weekend!

See, this is why I go so long between blog posts.

We had a very un-exciting weekend around here! Actually, we are ramping up for a very busy few weeks coming up with houseguests, a weekend away to see my family and a party that I am hosting at my house. It will be fun, but a lot of work!

This weeked was spent acquiring a new area rug. And no, the fun doesn't end there! We also re-installed ceramic tile (and by we, I mean Russ) and.....drumroll.....cleaned our bedroom!

It was nice though to kick back and relax as a family. We played some games, had some great meals and really enjoyed ourselves!

Happy New Year!!!

I have to say, I am not a fan of the month of January. It is cold, dreary and depressing! But, it also marks the start of a New Year and you have to admit - that part is exciting!

After cracking open my brand new calendar last week, I realized once again just how fast the passage of time is and how things can change so quickly. I can certainly attest to how different my life is from what it was 2 years ago!

2009 will also bring a lot of changes. My first born is starting Kindergarten in the Fall, my baby will be starting actual pre-school, Russ and I are going to be doing some redecorating and travelling, I am becoming an Aunt again and my siblings are relocating. It is an exciting year and one that I hope to be better about documenting!

Plus, with my snazzy new computer and new camera that Russ bought me for Christmas - it will be a WHOLE lot easier!