Spring Fever

Now that I'm all caught up on my winter posting, it's time for spring!  The weather has been incredible this last week.  It's only February, but it feels like April!  Mom and I went to Subway for lunch the other day and took it to the park and flew kites.  It was perfect.  The wind was really strong so we didn't have to work too hard to keep the kite up!  I've loved driving with the windows down and opening all the windows in the house.

February 17, 2011

Janufest!

Now you may be asking yourself, what is Janufest?  Well, Janufest is a holiday that our Aunt Jakay introduced us to.  No one likes the feeling you sometimes have in January when all the celebrating is over, family has gone home, and you feel like you won't get another holiday until the Fourth of July! But now you can celebrate Janufest with us!  The best part is there is no wrong way to do it.  You can have whatever kind of party you want. 

Jacob had flown in for the weekend.  Dan, Mer, and their family joined us, and also Catherine and John.  We had steaks that Jacob cooked for us on the grill and a dance party in the basement with my new favorite Wii games, Just Dance, and the sequel, Just Dance 2! :)  It was a great night.  And thanks to Aunt Jakay we were able to start this new holiday here in Missouri as well as Florida (where it all began).  Hopefully you can start this holiday wherever you live, and Janufest will be come a national holiday before we know it! :)   But remember as my Aunt Jakay says it's a great holiday where there are "No gifts, no expectations, no time-worn traditions -- just FUN!" 

January 22, 2011

The Blizzard of 2011

We got about 12 inches this year- more than I can remember at one time.  Dad went out in the cold to shovel our driveway with his snow blower.  A gift that has been used and enjoyed many times.

 Over 12 inches of snow!

 Our bowl for snow cream.

 We lost the bowl in the snow.  Luckily, mom found it. I think it overflowed a bit. :) This is a childhood memory that I know I will always treasure.  When we were little, we would always get excited when it started snowing, and we would put a bowl out to catch the snow.  Once it had filled up enough, we would bring it in, and mom would make snow cream. (snow, milk, sugar, and vanilla.) Now we all know that this probably won't get us onto Food Network, but it is something that, even today, when it starts snowing, I still run out and put a bowl out to catch the snow.

 Catherine and I eating the snow cream.

January 20, 2011

White House

In January we went to Virgina to be there for Abigail's baby blessing.  While we were there, we had the opportunity to tour the White House.  I had never been inside the White House.  I loved it.  While we were walking through, it started to snow.  It was so much fun to look out the windows on the beautiful lawn to see the snow coming down.  Unfortunately pictures are not allowed in the White House.  Imagine that.  But it does put a little bit of a damper on blogging. :) 

After the White House, we drove to Harper's Ferry.  While the boys walked around in the cold, Mom, Sarah, Abigail, and I decided to stop in a little local coffee shop for some hot chocolate!

Grandpa and Joseph. :)

January 9-10, 2011

White Christmas

It was a white Christmas this year.  Early Christmas Eve it started to snow.  Dan and his family flew to Utah on Christmas day.  They came over Christmas Eve.  We ate dinner, exchanged gifts, and had a impromptu talent show where Ben sang a song from his choir concert as well as played Jolly Old St Nicholas on the piano while Ally and Grace sang along.  Ally, Grace, and Joseph also sang some familiar Christmas tunes.  Andrew sang O Holy Night.  It was a very nice evening.  Nanitzi, Catherine, Andrew, Mom, and I finished the evening after everyone had left by standing around the piano and singing our favorite Christmas songs.  Andrew and I slept in the basement and watched Elf while Santa came.  The next morning we started off another day full of fun.  It was wonderful to wake up and look out our window to see all the snow (Well, it didn't quite cover the grass, but it was still beautiful).  We took advantage of the snow and went sledding.  Jacob took Thomas out for his first time in the snow.  Uncle Bob and Aunt Elizabeth came over during the afternoon.  We all had an enjoyable evening playing Just Dance, Family Feud, Wii Sports, and Family Game Night on the Wii.  We also found a new favorite; Imaginff.

 Thomas's first Christmas which turned out to be a White Christmas!

 Such a happy little kid!

 Don't forget about the snowball fight which started after returning home from caroling.  Luckily I was safe because I was holding the camera. :)

 Thomas was all bundled up to take some pictures in the snow, but after awhile he couldn't sit up while wearing all those clothes.  :)

 These are two of my favorite views.  The table set for Christmas Eve with the snow through the window in the background.

 And the Christmas tree next to our fireplace.

 And let the talents begin.-- Ben singing- It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Ally and Grace singing Jolly Old St Nicholas with Ben at the piano.

Christmas morning.  Joseph waking Andrew up.

The line from youngest to oldest.  Abigail and Thomas slept in so Joseph was the youngest.

Thomas woke up.  But I think he still might have been a little tired.

Joseph showing Thomas his new book.

Skyping with Joanna and the kids Christmas morning.  Carter opening his Buzz Lightyear from Grandma and Grandpa. 

Thomas sledding with his dad.

Grandma having fun in the snow.

 Joseph and Hannah- Pictures thanks to dad.

 

Andrew and Thomas.

Abigail woke up a little later.  Joseph helping her open her gifts.