snow and cold weather

We have had crazy amounts of snow and crazy cold weather since before Christmas. We had a blizzard Christmas Day. Our high temperature the other day was -4 degrees WITHOUT counting wind chill. The poor dogs haven't wanted to go outside--and neither have we.

The picture above is from the earlier snow. It was warmer then and the neighborhood kids and Carmen are playing. The boy on the left is sitting in a tunnel he dug that goes under the snow to the boy in the middle. That's how deep it is and this was the first snow. We've had two or three days of it since without melting in between.


This is our house. I have two steps up to my porch. Notice the snow drift up to the window box.

The picture below is the sidewalk with the sides of snow on each side. Just in case you are wondering. It's about 2 feet on each side. Where the drifts are high I have to raise my arms when walking the dogs to keep my elbows from hitting the snow.

This is my Dad's "friend" two houses down. Notice the snow drift goes halfway up his door. His porch is two steps up, mind you.

Christmas 2009

So Kaitlin did a very sweet thing this Christmas. She gave up something to Carmen that Carmen had really wanted since Kaitlin's birthday in October. She did it without prompting. You have to understand that Kaitlin has a hard time giving up anything. She did it once with a necklace and now once again. I was so proud of her I could cry. She was also so sick with stomach flu that she opened presents then laid on the couch the rest of the day. Poor thing.



We had a very nice Christmas. All of our family and extended family were very nice and generous. The girls loved all their gifts and although we each took a turn at the stomach flu. Kaitlin then Carmen, then me and then Archie. However, we were happy and sharing time together.

Vala's Pumpkin Patch WITH Cousins/Grandma/Grandpa

Vala's Pumpkins Patch is so much fun. It was even more fun being with family this year!


Yearly measuring post. How big are we this year?


New corn pit. Fun for everyone, just make sure you brush it off before you leave...and get it out of your shoes!



Everyone enjoyed the bouncy jumping things. Small and large kids alike!

Kaitlin's Birthday at Kids Body Shop (kind of gymnastics gym)

Kaitlin just had a birthday. My little girl has turned 8. I am so proud of you, sweetie. I love you.

Kaitlin's Song/"Sisters"

Kaitlin made up this song. Some of the words are:

Sisters can't come apart
Cuz' together we make a heart
We keep each other safe
And work together

School Starts Early

School starts early here in Omaha. Here is Kaitlin in the middle during one of the last days of school last spring.

Thunderstorm and Rainpour

Kaitlin went to school today for picture day in a thunderstorm and downpour. It figures that it would be raining hard as she left! She looked so pretty.

Carmen and I went out in the rain in raingear and she loved it. Splashing in puddles and upon seeing the rain going into the sewer that was brown from construction she said, "It's a peanut butter river!" I laughed it was so cute. Plus, she was afraid of a praying mantis and figured out how to not be afraid by herself. I was so proud. She told me a story where she was a praying mantis.