Unexpected snow vacation

On the night of Sunday, January 9th, snow started to fall at our house.  It fell very quickly and by the time Jeremy and I went to bed, we had almost 3 inches of snow.  When we woke up, there was about 6 inches on the ground.  Needless to say, school was cancelled (which made for a very happy Kayla).  Another bonus was that both Jeremy and I were scheduled off that Monday and Tuesday.  It was nice to not to have to worry about whether Jeremy was going to work or not and how I was going to try to get to work (since there are no snow days for nurses).  We had wonderful couple of days off together and really enjoyed being snowed in. 

We were out pretty early Monday morning and then again that afternoon.  The kids had so much fun running around, throwing snowballs and sledding. 

I loved the thick blanket of snow.  It was so pretty!  I am used to snow where the grass is still peaking through.  It makes a very nice backdrop for snow pics!

Mikayla and Gavin making and throwing snowballs and Daddy.  Mommy was off limits because of the baby in the belly.

Mikayla taking part in her favorite snow activity – snow angels!

This is the top of our grill – it gives you a better idea as to how high the snow was.

I love the way my house looks covered in snow.

Everyone had a lot of fun pulling each other on the sled.  Jeremy was the only one that had a lot of success.

This is our snowman that we…er…I built.  It was not an easy task.  After the snow, we had a period of some sleet that created a nice layer of ice over the snow.  This made the snow pack together fairly nicely, but it was impossible to roll the snow into a ball.  So with Jeremy’s help, the snowman is more of a snow pile that was carved into the shape of a snow man.  It took some time, but I was pretty proud.  The kids were happy with it, too!

Jeremy and the kids had a very heated snow ball fight with our neighbors. 

Our driveway was pretty slushy, so it was impossible to slide down.  The street had a pretty thick layer of ice that Jeremy would pull Mikayla around on really fast and then let of the sled so that she would slide for a distance.  My little daredevil loved it!

The kids had fun putting their backyard toys to good use in the snow.

I just love the looks of pure joy on their faces!

So, the snow wasn’t a huge weather issue, but the very thick ice that was left created some very big problems for the Atlanta area.  The city was virtually shut down until Thursday and school was cancelled for the entire week.  We lost our mid winter break, but I really didn’t mind.  I had so much fun being at home with my family during our snow break.  I was very glad to see the snow go, though – I like it, but in small doses.  I am definitely a southern gal!

First Easy Bake Creation

For Christmas, Mikayla got an Easy Bake Oven from my mom.  While on Christmas break, we decided that we needed to make a little cake.  This is Mikayla with her first culinary creation.  She did a great job and I think she has a great baking future!

We did it!

As you probably know, my youngest sister Laura lives in China.  It is a temporary situation while my brother in law completes his education, but we still miss her terribly.   A couple months before Christmas, Lollie found a good price on an airline ticket and she decided to give Mom the best Christmas present ever.  She booked a ticket to fly in the day after Christmas.  Everyone, except Mom, knew of the plan.  The plan was to fly in the day after Christmas.  Jeremy had to work that day and got off just in time to pick her up from the airport.  He was going to bring her to our post Christmas family celebration and Laura was going to completely surprise my mom. 

There was a little hitch, though.   Laura had a connecting flight in New York.  New York decided to host one of their biggest blizzards in history.   Laura’s flight got cancelled and minor chaos ensued.  I still am shocked to this day that Mom didn’t figure out something was going on.  During our family celebration, Emily and I kept ducking away to field phone calls with Laura in an attempt to figure out how the heck we were going to get her to Georgia.  This even involved many text messages during our family dinner – this is something I would NEVER do.  We managed to get her a hotel room and a dear family friend was able to get her a flight home….three days later.   To get, her side of the story, you have to read my sister’s blog post about it.  It is HILARIOUS!

So we figured out how to get her home, but now we had to come up with a new way to surprise mom (who was still clueless).  We casually brought up that we needed a family lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  Dad picked Laura up from the airport and drove to meet us at the restaurant.  Initially, dad just came in and sat down and we proceeded to go about our lunch.  At this point, Laura casually walked in  and sat down to Mom.  Mom’s back was turned, so Laura tapped her on the shoulder.  My mom initially greeted her like everyday and then it hit her that Laura lives on the other side of the world and is now sitting here in front of her.  The look on her face was priceless!  It was a great moment!

I brought Mikayla to dinner with us.  She had no idea either (I feared that she would blab to mom).  I think she was just as flabbergasted as mom was!

We had a such a great time with Laura while she was here.  I think we ate at nearly every restaurant and fast food place in Alpharetta.  For most, that wouldn’t be bad because you know you can diet and return to healthy eating and drop the extra weight.  Yeah, when you are pregnant you don’t have that luxury.  I did go back to healthy eating, but did not lose any weight.  Oh well, I can do that later!

Ironically enough, Laura got stuck in Atlanta at the end of her trip thanks to another snowstorm in New York.  We decided that Laura needs to steer clear of New York layovers during the winter and that she should never fly without her husband. 

Adult’s Night Out!

I was very fortunate to be able to have a night out with my family the week after Christmas.  My parents treated us to tickets to see Manheim Steamroller’s Christmas concert at The Fox.  They have always been one of my favorite groups to listen to at Christmas and it was such a treat to see them live.  It was also nice to have an evening with my family without my little ones.  I love them dearly, but I love me some adult time, too!

It was a fun night for all!

Christmas Snow Fun!

So, due to all of the Christmas festivities, we didn’t actually go out and play on Christmas Day.  However, the day after Christmas, church was cancelled, so we headed out early to play before Jeremy had to go to work.

Mikayla LOVES to make snow angels.  I wish she would save this until later in the playing time though because she gets so wet!

My little snow sweeties!

Our driveway was one big ice slick, so it made for some great sledding.  Gavin only made one trip, but Mikayla made several.

After a morning filled of fun in the snow, Mikayla decided she needed some warm chocolate and a seat in front of the fire.  Sounds like a good place to me!

Later that afteroon, the kids and I headed down (very slowly!) to my parent’s house to celebrate Christmas with my dad’s side of the family.  I got there a little early so that the kids could play in the snow some since it was starting to melt.  We made a snowman while we were there.  I should say I made a snowman, which probably accounts for why it is so short.  Pushing around a snowball when you are pregnant is not a lot of fun.  The kids were thrilled with him, though.  That’s all that matters, right!

The snow made this Christmas vacation so much fun.  It really added to the fun of the season. I hope that they remember this, because this is not a frequent occurrence here in the south. 

Christmas!!

Okay, I usually break this up into about three posts, but since I have been slack on my picture taking and I’m in a bit of  a rush to get caught up, this will all be combined into one. 

On Christmas Eve, we had our traditional dinner at my mom and dad’s house.  It was a little sparse this year .  Dan and Kim are living in Salt Lake and didn’t make it home this year, and Laura and Chris are in China and the definitely didn’t make it home.   We missed them all dearly, but we still had a very nice time celebrating Christmas together.

This Santa brings back lots of memories.  My parents had it up every year while I was growing up.  Emily found it in the attic and pulled it out this year.  It was fun to get a picture of the next generation with it.

After a super yummy dinner, we talked about the Christmas Story.  I loved seeing my sweet Mikayla set up each piece of The Nativity and talk about each individual in the story and their importance and purpose. 

After the important stuff, we moved on to some of the more silly stuff.  My mom found these cute reindeer ears and noses for the grandkids.

Mikayla was super excited because she had specifically asked my mom for a reindeer costume.  She got her wish!

Gavin loved being Rudolph, too.  He walked around and kept saying, “I Rudolph!!”

Andrew was not quite as thrilled with the costume.

Me holding my little reindeer.

 

On Christmas morning, the kids let us sleep in until about 7:45.  I think as Mikayla is getting older, that probably won’t be the case for years to come, though.

Both of them loved the Pillow Pets that Santa brought.  They were a hit!

Gavin, the Toy Story fanatic, was thrilled with the Buzz and Woody costume box that Santa brought.  He immediately put on the Woody costume and wore it all morning.

He also loved his Rex doll.  I think we are getting close to having the entire cast of Toy Story 3!

Mikayla got a little vet hospital that she was very happy about.  I would not be shocked if she ended up being a vet one day – she loves animals!

While I fixed our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of Monkey Bread, the kids watched a Mickey Mouse Christmas special in the new chairs that Santa brought them.

We also had a little Christmas bonus!  For the first time in over 100 years, Atlanta had a White Christmas.  It started snowing around 9am Christmas morning.  By the time we left to go to Jeremy’s parents around 2pm, this is how much snow we already had on the ground.  It continued to snow through the day and we ended up with about three inches.  When we were headed home from Jeremy’s parents later that evening, Gavin asked if we were going to The North Pole.  I’m sure it felt that way!

Now, I have no pictures, but I didn’t want to forget to talk about the wonderful time we had at Jeremy’s parents house.  We had a great dinner and had a wonderful time spending time with each other. 

I feel so blessed that we are able to spend time with all of our family during the Christmas season.  Its nice to not have to pick who we see.  I’m so glad that my kids are able to see everyone!

Mikayla’s SIX!!!

I cannot believe that I am the mother of a six year old!  She is such a sweet big girl.  I love her so much!

We got a little bonus on her birthday.  The night before, we had an ice storm, so school was cancelled.  Originally, Mikayla was upset because she thought she wasn’t going to get to wear the birthday crown at school.  When I assured her that this was better, because now, she was going to have and EXTRA day to celebrate, who mood quickly changed. 

It was so nice to have a relaxed morning and fix Mikayla one of her favorite breakfasts…cinnamon rolls!  Since we had time, I added in some eggs and bacon, too!  Later that day, when the weather warmed up and the ice melted, we met with Mikayla’s best friend, Matthew at an indoor jumping place.   That evening, when Jeremy came home, we went out to eat Mexican, on of Mikayla’s favorites!  She can put down some cheese dip! It turned out to be such a nice day spent with my big six year old.  I just can’t believe that she has grown up so fast!

On Saturday, our family and some close friends came over to celebrate her birthday.  Mikayla, Matthew and Gavin were absolutely wild that night.  You could tell that Mikayla was super excited for her third day in a row of birthday celebrations! (Isn’t that how it should always be?!?!)

Apparantly, it does take three children to open the presents.

My in-laws got Mikayla this LSU shirt – her daddy has completely brainwashed her into being obsessed with this football team.  She makes her daddy so happy!

I love the look of pure joy that Mikayla gets sometimes.  She got a little penguin that makes sounds when you give it a bottle – she was absolutely thrilled with this (as you can see).

Mikayla blowing out her candle.  I’ve decided that I really like doing cupcakes for birthdays.  I know we won’t always do this, but whenever I can encourage it, I will.  It is so easy!

I hope Mikayla had as much fun celebrating her birthday as I did.  I just love sharing these moments with my children.