The Great Snow of 2009

Because it's nearly 60 degrees outside and my forsythia bushes look like they may start blooming next week, I thought it high time for a post about . . . SNOW!

Perfect timing, right?

Actually, I think it is perfect timing because 60 degrees in January is just plain ridiculous, and here's hoping my post will bring along some more of that cold white stuff.

These pictures were actually taken last month during what we all now refer to as, "The Great Snow of December 2009." Catchy title, eh?

Anywho, the storm came the night of Claire's last day of school before the holiday break, so it was perfect.

These first few pictures are taken the night while it was still coming down.



Doesn't it look like Ben is a superhero, running so fast? I would love for you all to think that I actually had something to do with the cool, special effects in this picture. The truth, however, is that I absolutely did not.

This picture is further evidence of my (sad) photography skills. Sorry, Claire.

Ah, this one's better.

Put that snowball down, young lady!!

Ben was in snow heaven. He told me the other day that he wished it would snow again because:

"That's my favorite kind of weather."

The obligatory snow angel attempts:

The rest of these were taken the next day, after the snow had stopped.

Claire is modeling next to the ruler to show just how much snow we got.

Nearly 8", pretty impressive for NC, huh?

And then there's this one:

Lucky for her, she was able to mostly walk on top of the snow. Every so often she would fall through and then would hop like a bunny to get out.

We laughed.

"Cheese!"




And the best part:

What a good lookin' snowman!

Now, bring on more SNOW!

Other December Randomness

I just realized that I had several pictures on the computer about which I never blogged, so I wanted to make sure that they got on here. I do admit, however, that it's a bit odd to be including pictures of Santa Clause in a January post, but oh well.

For the first time this year, we traveled north to Pilot Mountain to a private home that goes ALL OUT with their Christmas light decorations. Actually, it's more than just lights. They have an animated singing Christmas tree, a snow making machine, lights that flash to music, mechanical Christmas decorations, hot chocolate, and tons, tons more. Shawn heard about this place through a co-worker, and we were totally impressed by the display. This family has been doing this for many years and they don't charge a penny. It will definitely be on the list of yearly traditions from now on.

We were lucky enough to come the weekend that Santa was there, and, for the first time EVER both my kids actually sat on Santa's lap.


Considering that last year, Claire couldn't even look in the direction of the Santa display at the mall last year without freaking out, this was a HUGE step for her.

I'm actually proud of the fact that my children are no longer afraid of a fat, hairy man in a red suit who wants little kids to sit on his lap.

Something's wrong with me.

Ha!



Claire's kindergarten class also celebrated with a class Christmas party.

What is it about this age? Apparently, she is unable to refrain from making goofy faces at the camera.

Their party included a lively game of "Pin the Body Parts on the Snowman."

Here's Claire during her turn. Please notice there is no snowman in the picture. She originally tried to put the parts on her teacher's assistant and finally, after much help, was moved to the right and got it somewhere near the actual snowman.

Her classmates thought it was hilarious.

She, however, was mortified.

But, she perked up a bit when the rest of the kids tried to incite laughter by copying her and sticking the pieces on their teacher too.


That's my girl: the accidental trendsetter. :-)

Ben's Girlfriend

Ben's got a girlfriend.

He's three.

I'm trying to deal with it.

Pass the Valium please.



Here they are at K's birthday party:

Are they not the cutest Cinderella and Prince Charming you ever did see?



Even in the group shot, they were sure to stand next to each other.

And when K came over to play, Ben was so happy, he even agreed to play with the dollhouse.

Now that's true love.

But, he tired of that soon enough and got out the Lego's. K was happy with the Barbies.

Uh, oh. Time for nap

Um . . .

No, no kids. We nap in separate beds!

Sheesh!

Christmas 2009

I am fully aware that any interest in pictures from our Christmas 2009 has probably waned quite significantly by now, but it's my blog and I'll blog late if I want to! :-)

Actually, I have several posts to write about various occurrences from December that I will have to post even after this one. So, I'm actually breaking all sorts of organizational, chronological rules, here, but that's okay, right? Really, you should be proud of me.

So, instead of breaking down the week into separate days, I just loaded (dumped) all the pictures into this post. No doubt, unless you are a grandparent, you will become bored quickly.

It's okay. I'll never know.

So, let's get this party started . . .


We generally spend Christmas Eve with Shawn's side of the family and open gifts at that time, but because Shawn's brother and his wife were with her family at that time, the kids only opened 2 gifts that night and saved the rest for Sunday.


Here's Claire expressing her Christmas cheer.
Don't ask me. She's 6. Six-year-olds do stuff like this sometimes.



And on Christmas morning we were at my dad's. And look what Santa brought Benjamin.

Yes, another train.

And though he was super excited about his new train, Santa had some serious competition because Uncle Zach scored big by getting him the Cars movie.

I think he would sleep with that movie if he could (if he actually slept)

Christmas Chaos. The best kind of chaos there is.

Christmas evening was spent at my mom's house. Here's Uncle Seth watching his daughter, Kayli open her Zhu-Zhu pet.

Claire is either jealous or frightened.

Claire got one too!




Zach and his son, Noah.

The girls. Tristyn, Kayli, and Claire.

Is it just me, or does Kayli look a little drunk here? No more eggnog for you, young lady. Just kidding.




Jesse and Shonda.

Jesse with his mouth open - a very common occurrence.




My littlest nephew, Noah (a.k.a. "petri-dish")

This cute little booger spread some serious Christmas charm while he was with us, Christmas charm AND a frightfully nasty stomach virus. Two days after we saw him, me, Zach, Jesse, dad, and eventually mom and Dave all came down with one of the worst viruses I've had in a long time. Thanks Noah. Love you kid, but I'm bringing my HazMat suit next time.

One plus. I lost my Christmas weight!



The cousins!

Ben, Tristyn, Noah, Kayli, Zeke, and Claire



And Sunday found us all prepared to watch the Bengals game.

Little Ben. Huge Uncle Jesse.

While everyone else was watching the game, Ben tried out his new Lightening McQueen remote control car.

And Zeke . . .

Well, I'm not exactly sure what he is doing in the photo, but he sure looks guilty. I'm guessing there is at least one piece of purloined Christmas candy in that mouth.



Enjoying the game.

Little boys playing with new Christmas toys.




And then on Sunday night, we went back to Grandma's house to open presents with her and Pa-paw (Shawn's dad), Uncle Jeff and Aunt Allison. Unfortunately, this is when the first of the stomach virus made its presence known, so I spent the majority of the evening in the bathroom and moaning in agony in the back bedroom. Consequently, Shawn was in charge of the camera for that night.

Cutie new dress!



Yea! for my new train set!

(Also known as the "see my neck?" pose)

The kids with Grandma.




And with Paw-paw.

And while I'm sure you nearly sick of all the pictures you just viewed (if you even made it this far), I'm actually more than a little bummed about all the pictures that I didn't take. I really wanted some pictures of the whole families, some of my mom and Dave and some of Jeff and his wife Allison. Not sure what happened there, but I dropped the ball on the whole picture taking front.

I'll just blame the evil stomach virus for that. Really, it was evil. It deserves to be blamed for something at least.

Late and Breaking

Shawn has asked me to announce the air date for the Extreme Home Makeover Show in which you may possibly catch a glimpse of his skinny, jean-wearing self (look for the skinny dude with a white, rolled-up plan hanging out his back pocket).

And, since I can count the number of times Shawn has actually asked me to put something up on the blog on . . . . um, no fingers, I decided I would oblige him.

Sunday, January 31st, people. Mark your calendars.

And, yes, I promise I will eventually get back to blogging. I've taken a holiday break and now all the pictures that have backed up on my camera seem so very out of date. I'm having a hard time getting motivated.

But I will. I will . . . eventually.