So, we were told when we moved here that we wouldn't get any snow or very little.
Today, there is already 8-10" on the ground and up to 24" expected. Crazy!! This leads everyone in the area to do the following:
1. Fill up their gas tanks - the line at the station last night was 2 hours long.
2. Buy up all the food around - Steve and I walked across the street last night to buy more butter for the cookies Grandma and Annde were making and there was literally no more milk, eggs, cheese, bread, etc... in the store. The lines were ENORMOUS...
3. Not leave the house. Apparently, everyone stays home because of the few crazy drivers - or maybe more than a few - who don't know how to drive who try to drive 80 mph in this weather.
Funny!!
So, we're hanging out, contemplating making more cookies, craft projects, or playing in the snow... oh wait! No boots - since it doesn't snow here - so that might be kinda difficult.
To my siblings who are coming next week - you might want to bring coats, hats, boots, gloves, etc... because it definitely looks like a white Christmas will be here!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas Quiz
I have been reading various blogs this week and saw this quiz that looked fun. So I figured I would blog it too. I found it on Melissa's Blog.
1. What 5 items are on your Christmas wish list this year?
* New IPOD - mine didn't survive the move from Michigan
* New Pants - mine don't stay up since I lost the weight with Meg's pregnancy/delivery.
* New Work Shirts - Most of my clothes are at least 5 years old. Some new ones would be nice...
* A gift certificate to one or two of my favorite online shopping sites for scrapbook supplies since there isn't a store close by... or a 6 month subscription to the kits at Coordinates Collections.
* Garth Brooks "The Entertainer" box set.
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
Ohhh... this was hard. Every year, I get handmade ornaments from my Mom and Aunts and sister. These are so awesome because they bring back so many memories. I can't pick just one of them.
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
I really need to get my butt in gear with the homemade ornament exchange...
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
Hmmm... to be honest, I can't remember most of them... I do remember the Atari game system but since Jon and Jeff hogged it, that wouldn't be it. I would have to say the year my Mom gave me a homemade cabbage patch doll. They were popular back then and my Mom made one for my sister and I that looked just like us. I might not have appreciated it enough back then, but I sure do now because I know how much effort she put into them. I wonder if I could talk her into bringing it with her at Christmas so I can pass it on to Annde?
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
* Littlest Pet Shop
* My Little Pony
* American Girl doll that looks like her (this is the only thing she asked Santa for... it's a great thing that we can afford to buy her one!)
6. What is your favorite holiday food?
Appetizers... seriously. We usually make appetizers on Xmas eve. I love every one of them: wontons, pigs in a blanket, brie, guac & blue corn chips, sausage, bbq meatballs, etc...
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
This year, not much. I had grand aspirations... but well, Meghan came and we moved and started a new job, etc... I haven't even been scrapbooking lately! I guess it would be the birth announcements/thank you notes.
8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
I don't have one. I am not really into them. Maybe, "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Rudolf"?
9. Favorite holiday song?
"Silent Night" for sentimental reasons - preferably in German. (See my post from last December)
"Belleau Wood" by Garth Brooks
10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Hands down - Hanging out with family and friends. Seriously... even if there were no gifts, no fancy meals, etc... I would want to spend it with family and friends!
If you decide to do this also, post a comment so I can read your answers!
1. What 5 items are on your Christmas wish list this year?
* New IPOD - mine didn't survive the move from Michigan
* New Pants - mine don't stay up since I lost the weight with Meg's pregnancy/delivery.
* New Work Shirts - Most of my clothes are at least 5 years old. Some new ones would be nice...
* A gift certificate to one or two of my favorite online shopping sites for scrapbook supplies since there isn't a store close by... or a 6 month subscription to the kits at Coordinates Collections.
* Garth Brooks "The Entertainer" box set.
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
Ohhh... this was hard. Every year, I get handmade ornaments from my Mom and Aunts and sister. These are so awesome because they bring back so many memories. I can't pick just one of them.
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
I really need to get my butt in gear with the homemade ornament exchange...
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
Hmmm... to be honest, I can't remember most of them... I do remember the Atari game system but since Jon and Jeff hogged it, that wouldn't be it. I would have to say the year my Mom gave me a homemade cabbage patch doll. They were popular back then and my Mom made one for my sister and I that looked just like us. I might not have appreciated it enough back then, but I sure do now because I know how much effort she put into them. I wonder if I could talk her into bringing it with her at Christmas so I can pass it on to Annde?
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
* Littlest Pet Shop
* My Little Pony
* American Girl doll that looks like her (this is the only thing she asked Santa for... it's a great thing that we can afford to buy her one!)
6. What is your favorite holiday food?
Appetizers... seriously. We usually make appetizers on Xmas eve. I love every one of them: wontons, pigs in a blanket, brie, guac & blue corn chips, sausage, bbq meatballs, etc...
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
This year, not much. I had grand aspirations... but well, Meghan came and we moved and started a new job, etc... I haven't even been scrapbooking lately! I guess it would be the birth announcements/thank you notes.
8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
I don't have one. I am not really into them. Maybe, "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Rudolf"?
9. Favorite holiday song?
"Silent Night" for sentimental reasons - preferably in German. (See my post from last December)
"Belleau Wood" by Garth Brooks
10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Hands down - Hanging out with family and friends. Seriously... even if there were no gifts, no fancy meals, etc... I would want to spend it with family and friends!
If you decide to do this also, post a comment so I can read your answers!
Ho Ho Ho!! Here's Santa!
This is the Santa picture I was talking about... Don't you just love Meghan's squanchy face? She loves to make that when she's waking up and stretching. I love the fact that he picked her up and she still didn't uncurl her legs.
Good thing about taking Annde to Santa twice - Mom can actually HEAR what she's telling him so we make sure it's there on Christmas morning... Phew!! When I asked her last week, she told me that it was a secret between her and Santa so she couldn't tell me! HA! Mom will always find out!!
Well, off to wait upstairs... the furnace is broken AGAIN and it's too cold to sit down here for very long.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Meghan's 1 month and Christmas DC style
On Saturday, we went down to the White House. Annde hasn't been there before and it was a great opportunity to go see it as well as the National Christmas tree. Here's a pic of Steve and Annde in front of "Obama's House" (which is what Annde calls it). The exciting part: after some research, it looks like we're going to take Annde's Daisy Scout troop there in March to earn a badge. We'll get to take the tour and see the inside. I've never been inside before so I am excited too!
Then, we went across the street to the Christmas village to see the National Tree. It was somewhat underwhelming. It's big but not as impressive in the daylight.
To get a sense of the size, here's Steve in front with Annde. It is REALLY tall. We're going to take all the siblings and nieces and nephews down there to see it on the 23rd. That's going to be fun too! (Don't you just love Annde's poses?)
Around the tree are these little mini-trees: one from each state, one from DC, and one from each of the 6 territories. Here's Annde and I with Meghan (Can you see her? That's cause she's tucked into the baby backpack inside my jacket and her head is covered with the pink blanket!) in front of the Michigan tree. It was decorated with ornaments by a elementary school in Howell, I believe.
There was also a Santa house. Inside you could get a FREE 5x7 of your kids on Santa's lap. I kid you not - we waited like 5 minutes and he looked real. I'll post the picture tomorrow but how often can you get a free pic with Santa with no waiting?!?! It wasn't the best picture - Annde had her jacket on and was standing in front of him but hey! It was the best one we've done this year... Here's part of the inside of the house... I love the categories. Annde says she's been "Nice all the time"... Yeah right!
Quick pic of Meg - she slept the whole time... but I figured she deserves some press too!
On that subject, Meghan is official 1 month old this week. Here's a pic of her with Annde.
Isn't she getting big? This outfit is 3-6 mos, I kid you not. She's over 10 lbs and growing like a weed. She's still consuming vast quantities of food - 3 to 4 oz ever 2-3 hrs - and stretching alot. Annde is still excited about her so that's great. I can't wait for her first Xmas!! :)
Well, off to bed. The kid still gets up every 2 hours and we both are working tomorrow, as well as Annde having dance class and a playdate. Geez!!! And, I still have to clean the house for my family coming. See ya later!
Then, we went across the street to the Christmas village to see the National Tree. It was somewhat underwhelming. It's big but not as impressive in the daylight.
To get a sense of the size, here's Steve in front with Annde. It is REALLY tall. We're going to take all the siblings and nieces and nephews down there to see it on the 23rd. That's going to be fun too! (Don't you just love Annde's poses?)
Around the tree are these little mini-trees: one from each state, one from DC, and one from each of the 6 territories. Here's Annde and I with Meghan (Can you see her? That's cause she's tucked into the baby backpack inside my jacket and her head is covered with the pink blanket!) in front of the Michigan tree. It was decorated with ornaments by a elementary school in Howell, I believe.
There was also a Santa house. Inside you could get a FREE 5x7 of your kids on Santa's lap. I kid you not - we waited like 5 minutes and he looked real. I'll post the picture tomorrow but how often can you get a free pic with Santa with no waiting?!?! It wasn't the best picture - Annde had her jacket on and was standing in front of him but hey! It was the best one we've done this year... Here's part of the inside of the house... I love the categories. Annde says she's been "Nice all the time"... Yeah right!
Quick pic of Meg - she slept the whole time... but I figured she deserves some press too!
On that subject, Meghan is official 1 month old this week. Here's a pic of her with Annde.
Isn't she getting big? This outfit is 3-6 mos, I kid you not. She's over 10 lbs and growing like a weed. She's still consuming vast quantities of food - 3 to 4 oz ever 2-3 hrs - and stretching alot. Annde is still excited about her so that's great. I can't wait for her first Xmas!! :)
Well, off to bed. The kid still gets up every 2 hours and we both are working tomorrow, as well as Annde having dance class and a playdate. Geez!!! And, I still have to clean the house for my family coming. See ya later!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I'm organized... and almost ready to go!
So, in the midst of getting my stuff together for Christmas, I found myself making (and losing) lists for the stuff to get done for the upcoming holidays. After seeing this super cute idea on Stacy Julien's blog, I decided to make one of my own to get organized. (Note: the ring doesn't have the ribbon yet because I need a larger ring to put this on...) The book is 4"x4"... perfect to fit into my purse.
I didn't make it specific to a year so that I can reuse it again next year but simply replacing the white papers between the tabs. I dug out some left over paper from a Coordinates Collections kit to make the tabs - what a great way to use up a kit with only bits and pieces left over...
Here are the cute pages between the tabs. I have a page for each member of the family, all my nieces and nephews, and parents... I love this little set of stamps from Close to My Heart... I used them for my birth announcements, thank you cards (for Meghan & Annde gifts), and now these...
Well, tons of things to do... Hope you are having a great Thursday! Bundle up (unless you live in Florida) cause it's definitely a cold one...
I didn't make it specific to a year so that I can reuse it again next year but simply replacing the white papers between the tabs. I dug out some left over paper from a Coordinates Collections kit to make the tabs - what a great way to use up a kit with only bits and pieces left over...
Here are the cute pages between the tabs. I have a page for each member of the family, all my nieces and nephews, and parents... I love this little set of stamps from Close to My Heart... I used them for my birth announcements, thank you cards (for Meghan & Annde gifts), and now these...
Well, tons of things to do... Hope you are having a great Thursday! Bundle up (unless you live in Florida) cause it's definitely a cold one...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Ho Ho Ho!!
So the stockings are hung... (Reminder to self: Get Meg a stocking holder)
The tree is up... Annde helped to decorate. That's why there are SO MANY ornaments on the bottom. She loves to decorate (or as Fancy Nancy/Annde calls it: Accessorize the tree!) anything.
And Annde is going nutso about the Advent Calendar.
You'd think she had a one track mind. Every afternoon, after school until after dinner, all I hear is, "Mom, is it time to open the calendar yet?" I bought this wooden one at Target (instead of making one like I had originally planned.) and stuffed it with Hershey kisses (her favorite) and Little Pets. She's so excited! She said the nicest thing last night when she opened it up and there were 2 kisses in it... she said "Mom, if Meggie was old enough, I would give her one to eat too." I think it's sweet how Annde is become Mini-Mom. She really loves being an older sister.
Speaking of younger sisters... Guess what Meg loves to do: Fall asleep during tummy time. It's a riot - EVERY time you put her on her tummy, she just goes to sleep. Of course, her favorite napping spot is here:
... but on her tummy is definitely #2. The boppy, a rolled up blanket, any time she's near her stomach, she's out like a lot. It's a lot nicer than Annde's reaction - which was to scream like a crazy child. Yep, Meg's our laid back kid...
We're so ready for the cousins to get here. Annde made this welcome sign and drew pictures of all her cousins. Obviously not to scale but so very cute. Ben has some really long legs and Lauren is the biggest (for being one of the youngest). We can't wait to see everyone. (Before you ask - I did the writing at Annde's request).
Well, I am off to start planning menus and such. Gotta love the holidays - especially the food!
Also - if you are related to me or want a birth announcement/christmas card, can you PLEASE send me your address to my tallgirl account or hotmail account? I have no address book (casualty of the move) and I would like to get these out before next year... Thanks!!
The tree is up... Annde helped to decorate. That's why there are SO MANY ornaments on the bottom. She loves to decorate (or as Fancy Nancy/Annde calls it: Accessorize the tree!) anything.
And Annde is going nutso about the Advent Calendar.
You'd think she had a one track mind. Every afternoon, after school until after dinner, all I hear is, "Mom, is it time to open the calendar yet?" I bought this wooden one at Target (instead of making one like I had originally planned.) and stuffed it with Hershey kisses (her favorite) and Little Pets. She's so excited! She said the nicest thing last night when she opened it up and there were 2 kisses in it... she said "Mom, if Meggie was old enough, I would give her one to eat too." I think it's sweet how Annde is become Mini-Mom. She really loves being an older sister.Speaking of younger sisters... Guess what Meg loves to do: Fall asleep during tummy time. It's a riot - EVERY time you put her on her tummy, she just goes to sleep. Of course, her favorite napping spot is here:
... but on her tummy is definitely #2. The boppy, a rolled up blanket, any time she's near her stomach, she's out like a lot. It's a lot nicer than Annde's reaction - which was to scream like a crazy child. Yep, Meg's our laid back kid...We're so ready for the cousins to get here. Annde made this welcome sign and drew pictures of all her cousins. Obviously not to scale but so very cute. Ben has some really long legs and Lauren is the biggest (for being one of the youngest). We can't wait to see everyone. (Before you ask - I did the writing at Annde's request).
Well, I am off to start planning menus and such. Gotta love the holidays - especially the food!Also - if you are related to me or want a birth announcement/christmas card, can you PLEASE send me your address to my tallgirl account or hotmail account? I have no address book (casualty of the move) and I would like to get these out before next year... Thanks!!
Friday, December 4, 2009
It's been a long time... once again!
Well.
I have no excuses...
I have neglected my blog.
It wasn't like I didn't have anything else to do: I have moved to another state, packed and unpacked a house, started a brand new and challenging job, finished that last trimester of pregnancy, and brought a beautiful baby girl into the world.
But, I have forgotten/neglected this blog and to all of you who read it (especially Tracy and Dad), I apologize.
So, here's my early new year's resolution: Get my butt back in gear and start working on this again. I need to update my header with Meghan - can't do it with the current stuff since I lost Photoshop and my pictures in the Great Computer Crash of 2009 (October). So, I will have to come up with something new... look for it to debut in January (it will take me that long to get Photoshop reinstalled.)
So, here's the latest 411:
Yes, we love most aspects of our new life in VA. I love my job. I don't love our rental home, but it's okay and will work for the next several years until we can sell our MI home and buy a home here. Steve's working on a local gig but feels like he's still on the road since he's working insane hours on this project. (It sucks but I look at it this way: He's still home to tuck the kids in every night...)
Annde cut her hair short and started Kindergarten. Surprisingly, I had a harder time with the hair than school... She's made a lot of friends and joined both the Daisy Scouts and a Tap/Ballet class. She still misses everyone in Michigan and asks when we can go visit. (Memorial Day 2010?)
We were blessed with Meghan Brianna on 11/10/09. She was 8 lbs 6 oz and 21.5" long. She seems to be the opposite of her active sister - more content to just go with the flow. She's growing leaps and bounds - already in 2 weeks, she's gained 1.5 lbs and 1"... it's crazy how much she eats, I tell you! But, she is a great cuddler and her big sister is totally in love with her so life is great around here.
We were lucky to have Tracy & Aiden come visit us after Meghan was born. That was so completely awesome!! We went downtown and did some of the Memorials and the Space Museum. The kids did awesome and we had a lot of fun. Plus, Tracy and I scrapped - we did 2 mini books each - it felt good to get going on that again.
Gotta love the matching sweatshirts... :)
We were also lucky to have Steve's parents come in for Thanksgiving. It came out wonderful - Steve was very proud of his perfect turkey (It should be perfect with the amount of time we spend watching Food Network!).
Now, we have a lot to look forward to: my family is coming for Christmas... all of them! I can't wait to celebrate with all my siblings, my sister-in-laws, and my parents and my nieces and nephews. It will be a full house but we are going to have so much fun! I can't wait.
Well, I need to get some things done so I am signing off for now. Hopefully, it won't take me another 6 months to update. :)
Feliz Navidad!!
I have no excuses...
I have neglected my blog.
It wasn't like I didn't have anything else to do: I have moved to another state, packed and unpacked a house, started a brand new and challenging job, finished that last trimester of pregnancy, and brought a beautiful baby girl into the world.
But, I have forgotten/neglected this blog and to all of you who read it (especially Tracy and Dad), I apologize.
So, here's my early new year's resolution: Get my butt back in gear and start working on this again. I need to update my header with Meghan - can't do it with the current stuff since I lost Photoshop and my pictures in the Great Computer Crash of 2009 (October). So, I will have to come up with something new... look for it to debut in January (it will take me that long to get Photoshop reinstalled.)
So, here's the latest 411:
Yes, we love most aspects of our new life in VA. I love my job. I don't love our rental home, but it's okay and will work for the next several years until we can sell our MI home and buy a home here. Steve's working on a local gig but feels like he's still on the road since he's working insane hours on this project. (It sucks but I look at it this way: He's still home to tuck the kids in every night...)
Annde cut her hair short and started Kindergarten. Surprisingly, I had a harder time with the hair than school... She's made a lot of friends and joined both the Daisy Scouts and a Tap/Ballet class. She still misses everyone in Michigan and asks when we can go visit. (Memorial Day 2010?)
We were blessed with Meghan Brianna on 11/10/09. She was 8 lbs 6 oz and 21.5" long. She seems to be the opposite of her active sister - more content to just go with the flow. She's growing leaps and bounds - already in 2 weeks, she's gained 1.5 lbs and 1"... it's crazy how much she eats, I tell you! But, she is a great cuddler and her big sister is totally in love with her so life is great around here.
We were lucky to have Tracy & Aiden come visit us after Meghan was born. That was so completely awesome!! We went downtown and did some of the Memorials and the Space Museum. The kids did awesome and we had a lot of fun. Plus, Tracy and I scrapped - we did 2 mini books each - it felt good to get going on that again.
Gotta love the matching sweatshirts... :)
We were also lucky to have Steve's parents come in for Thanksgiving. It came out wonderful - Steve was very proud of his perfect turkey (It should be perfect with the amount of time we spend watching Food Network!). Now, we have a lot to look forward to: my family is coming for Christmas... all of them! I can't wait to celebrate with all my siblings, my sister-in-laws, and my parents and my nieces and nephews. It will be a full house but we are going to have so much fun! I can't wait.
Well, I need to get some things done so I am signing off for now. Hopefully, it won't take me another 6 months to update. :)
Feliz Navidad!!
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