Thank you!

We were all sitting on the couch the other night, in our jammies, watching the Olympics. Lila was all snuggled up to me and being sweet. She looked me over and said, "You look SO much better when you're NOT naked."

WHAT?!?!?

By Morning's Light

What a beautiful morning! The fact that we had to shovel again and that the daggone plow driver has a personal vendetta against us made it slightly less beautiful, but still beautiful!

My mail-carrier will thank me for this handiwork!

Keep in mind my husband is 6'4"!

In Other News

Basketball is well underway, and Emma is doing so well! This is her first year playing, and we can't believe how far she's come! The first game, she didn't even know what to do, and now she's scoring points and playing really well.

She's number 5 on he yellow team. Take a look:

Here are the little sisters, Grace and Lila. We're so glad their sisters are on the same team so they can play together during the games!

I thought I lived in NJ!!!

OK, this is getting ridiculous! This is our third major snowstorm this winter - and by major, I mean, it never snows this much - ever!!! I've lived in NJ all of my life, and I'm used to 3-4 inches once or twice a year, but come on!! Global warming much?!?!

We're snowed in and enjoying the down time again. Blizzard conditions outside, but a fire and soup and family fun inside. Thanks goodness for books, coloring books, paints, card games, wii, board games, pollys, and, of course TV!! We've already heard that school is closed again tomorrow, so now we're just all looking forward to American Idol at 9:00! It is truly beautiful outside - take a look...

(we cleaned off the trampoline so if wouldn't collapse)

Don't throw snowballs at your wife!!!

Staying warm....

Makeshift sledding...

Soup's on! 17 Bean and Barley this time...

Aww, poor hungry chickadees!

Blizzariffic!

I love a good snow storm, and we've had plenty this year!

Last night we had friends over for dinner, and the kids decided to have an impromptu hot tub party.....

Today has been all about doing nothing at home......

...And this is awaits the girls when they come in from the snow.....

Back in the Swing

I realize that I'm such a blog slacker that I can't actually catch up on all that's gone on in our family this month, so I'll just start with this week.

We had a crazy week as usual. It started with a Girl Talk event at church (that I had the privilege of coordinating) with over 240 women in attendance! Then, Wednesday, we hosted Pastor Ghassan from Baghdad for dinner. What an amazing man! It was an honor to have him in our home and at our minichurch.

Thursday and Friday were the funeral services for my dear "old Aunt Dotty" (that was how she signed all of our cards). She passed away suddenly last Sunday, and she will be missed so much!

Aunt Dotty was my great aunt. She never married or had any children, but all 100 people in attendance at her service Friday morning called her "Aunt Dotty". She was a sweet, loving lady who endeared herself to all who knew her - familhy, church family, community, etc. Thanksgiving (Dollar Store) presents wrapped in newspaper was my favorite Aunt Dotty tradition. She always brought several for everyone, plus extra door prizes we raffled off! She also sent cards and notes for every occasion possible - lost teeth, report cards, new fish, etc. She was the only east coast great-grandparent my children ever knew - and they loved her! In fact, at her service, during open sharing time, Lila kept raising her hand. I, of course, kept pushing it down, afraid of what she might say. I'm so glad I finally gave in and let her share in front of 100 people. Lila stood and loudly proclaimed to the audience, "She was my great great Aunt Dotty, and I just loved her so much!" There was a collective sob through the room, and Ryan and I were so proud of our extroverted, bold, loving daughter. It was a rough week dealing the girls' emotions and questions - you can only imagine the wondering that went on! :)

We came home in time for a minichurch leader's dinner on Friday night. Saturday we had a little baby shower here for my friend Faith. So today, after church and a birthday party that Lila attended, we're enjoying some down time as a family. We're looking forward to life settling down this week.

December Blizzard

You've got to love getting over two feet of snow 5 days before Christmas! At least "Trudy the Wonder Dog" does....

The kids had almost as much fun as the dog....

That's a whole lotta snow!