Spring is in the Air

Hooray, we made it through another Western NY winter! Out came the sun and with it a host of walkers, joggers, bikers, kids, and pets. We decided to take advantage of the last few moments of sun last night and take a trip down to the playground. Of course Alex insisted on bringing her two best friends, Hemmingway and Chloe. I think Chloe took Alex for a walk!

As you can see, Alex was thrilled beyond measure....

Cause We're Comin' to Your City

Last night Shawn and I had the chance to see Big & Rich at Seneca Niagara Casino. We won last minute tickets!!! We thought either they'd be really good seats, or really bad. We lucked out and got the 8th row. What a show!!! To have just a fraction of their energy. It was awesome!!!


We also won about $200 on the slots.

Of course I will be dragging today as I couldn't get Shawn out of there last night and had to get up at an ungodly hour this morning to get the house ready for another last minute appointment...our bank appraisal.


Just thought I'd share a few pics. The clarity isn't the greatest, but I have yet to figure out how to take good concert photos.

Snow

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. And snow it has! Today's storm dropped a hefty load of flakes. Shoveled the driveway 3x so far today and there are several more inches covering it again. And now that the snow asscociated with the storm is passing, they say lake effect will kick in and continue through tonight and tomorrow. Gotta love living a mile from Lake Ontario!

My poor little tree shown above is buried. And I went to let the poor dogs out to go to the bathroom this afternoon and when I opened the gate I found this. Looks like about 18 inches and still coming down.

Life is Good

Ahhhhhh! These are the days I live for. The days where you can actually sit back and enjoy the simple things in life. Seems like the past few months have been filled with one drama after another. We get so busy that we miss the actually "living" part. You look back and wonder where the time has gone, you ask how your children grew without even noticing. So today, life is good and I am enjoying it and not taking a second for granted.



Alex woke up in such a happy mood today. She was snuggly and full of giggles. While she ate her cheerios, I was able to finish the house which is now sparkling clean (only because we had a showing at noon). After breakfast, we went outside and played in the snow. Alex had so much fun. These are definitely the moments that make life sweeter. Watching my daughter taste snow, make a snow angel, wrestle with her dogs, etc.

After warming up and getting changed, cousin Jordan came over for a visit (now that he is officially a licensed driver). It was sweet listening to my 17 year old nephew play princesses in the next room. Then we went to lunch. Alex's choice: Wendy's. Lunch was filled with giggles, silliness, and lots of chicken nuggets. We had no schedule, no places to be, nothing to hurry about....we were free!



Once Jordan went home, Alex and I decided to go to Wegmans. We decided that we'd buy the ingredients for Valentine cut-out cookies. So we came home and by that time, daddy was home too. Alex sat on daddy while he did his push-ups and I mixed up cookie batter. Then it was daddy's turn to play princess. Life is good!

So as it is cold and beautiful outside, we are warm and toasty indoors. The batter is chilling, the oven is heating, and Alex is licking the spoon. The smell of vanilla and sugar cookies will soon fill the air. I love today!

AED anyone?

Oh my, am I ever out of shape! My sister and I decided to try out a fitness class hosted by a local church. I thought, "sure...how hard could it be, right?" Boy was I in for a shock! At one point I asked my sister if she had an Automated External Defibrillator in her purse. And the moves they do! Talk about dancing to the beat of a different drum. I was all over the place, kicking left while they were doing lunges and doing the two step while they were doing the side step. I thought that was bad enough...then the instructor announces "doubletime ladies". Let's just say it wasn't a pretty site.

And even though I could barely climb out of bed this morning, I am going to accept the challenge of returning. I must do something to get in better shape! So I (along with a billion other poor souls this time of year) have decided it's time. No more starting next monday. Today is the day. I WILL eat better, I WILL excersize, and I WILL lose weight!

Wish me luck, I am going to need it!

Farewell to 2006!!!!!!!!

With 2006 quickly coming to an end, I thought it was a good time to do a recap of the year and things we have to be thankful for. The top 10 highlights this year have been..........

1.) Alex started preschool in September, and after a challenging start, is doing wonderfully!
2.) We received very positive news from doctors in NYC regarding Alex's KTS, and her MRI showed NO abnormalities.
3.) Alex is now finally fully potty trained.
4.) So many of my friends brought home their children this year. Congrats to Michelle, Alyssa, Leslie, Molly, Gen and Claire (...sorry, I know I am forgetting someone)
5.) After 12 years...I finally earned my 2-yr degree.
6.) I somehow managed to swing an "A" in statistics! (Thanks to a very understanding and compassionate instructor, as well as a friend who wouldn't let me quit...thanks Teri!)
7.) Our annual Trip to TN, which included the company of my grandparents. What a blessing it is to have them alive and well and all to ourselves for 10 days! And of course, our TN friends: Shane, Jen, and Hannah Grace.
8. ) Our decision to adopt again!!!!!
9. ) We have the best family and friends that anyone coud wish for.
10.) In 4 more days, Shawn and I will celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss. OK, "bliss" might be a bit of an exaggeration....but I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world!

Merry Christmas!

'Twas the night before Christmas


Alex plays with her new vanity


And opens some presents


Such a "Girly Girl"

I stink at this already!

Ok, so I thought I was doing well, creating a blog and all. I figured I would document all the things I missed out on journaling while waiting for Alex. Then I tried to post entry number two. But it appears I didn't write down the name of the blog, my username, or my password. Pretty importnat detail I find out now. I thought I would finally figure it all out last night and get caugt up. I made it half way there. I managed to at least ACCESS my account. Now I learn that it doesn't appear I can post new entries from my home computer (a MAC). Which leaves me at the mercy of my work computer!

So I will attempt again today. That is IF I can figure out how to post some pics!