The Deep Freeze

I don't know about you, but I am so tired of being cold.

And thank GOD this week is almost behind us. Talk about crazy. Since 2001 when I started working in the gas industry, we have not experienced this degree of cold over this large of an area for this length of time. Our systems have been in a state of emergency since Wednesday and will continue through Monday. It's been a zoo at work. Utility companies issuing continuous alerts, gas pipelines transporting their absolute maximum amounts, prices going haywire, etc. At the same time, it's been exciting. Each minute has brought a new problem to solve and a new fire to put out. There were laughs and there were many, many moments of near tears. But we made it through.


And despite the bone chilling temps, Alex did look pretty darn cute waiting for the bus yesterday morning!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

Well we are home and nearly all unpacked which was no small feat. Kids are back on track and we have jumped right into the holiday spirit. On Saturday, we payed a visit to Santa.

Then Gabi spent the night and Shawn went out and bought the girls each their own Gingerbread houses to make. It's so much fun to watch their creativity in action!

Snowed In

Well, we weren't quite snowed in, but the storm they'd been predicting forced us to get all our errands done yesterday. So today we enjoyed a lazy day at home. We had fun decorating a gingerbread house (though I think more candy ended up in Alex's mouth or on the kitchen floor than on the house.)




Later, Alex played out in the snow with Hemmingway as Daddy shoveled for the 3rd time in twice as many hours. Next year we are sooooo hiring a plow service! But she had a good time rolling around in the snow and sledding on the snowbanks.





And afterwards, we all warmed up with some hot cocoa. And extra whipped cream, of course.

Santa Clause is Comin' to Town

Happy Black Friday

So this is the first year since Shawn and I have been together that we did not go shopping on Black Friday. Between me still fighting this respitory thing, having most of my shopping completed and not knowing how much damage our most recent vet bill will be...it didn't seem to be in the cards today. But we had a great day none the less.

This morning we slept in a bit and then played in the snow. Alex had so much fun. She was running around the backyard screeching.

Then, this evening we went to Aunt Sue's to visit with Jason and Brittany who are in town for the holidays. Jason is my cousin. The one getting married. And the wedding in which Alex will be flower girl. Alex just adores them and loves spending time with them. So tonight we went over for pizza. We all had such a nice time. Alex always loves going up to their music room and "jamming". They all play instruments and really get into their music. So Uncle Terry led with his monstocity of a drum set, while Brittany played the violin and Jason played the gutiar. The rest of us less musically inclined were in charge of the tamborine, maracas and African drum. This, I wish I had a picture of. What fun we had just being loud and silly!