Our Ice Storm (and some snow)

Whew, what fun we have had in the last 2 weeks! First ice and lots of it, then bunches of snow on top. The first pictures are from the ice storm. We could barely walk, anywhere, not even in the grass, so the kids and Logan and Robin from across the street opted for driveway sledding. Which was plenty of fun! Once we got some snow and were able to get out a bit we did some real sledding. Ashley really loved it this year. In fact, she spent more time out in the snow than Aidan did. Aidan mostly wanted play with Logan and the two of them were content to play in the basement and stay warm and dry. But Ashley just loved the snow....snow angels were everywhere in our yard as well as sled tracks, tiny boot prints and a snowman or two. Thank goodness we had power and not too much tree damage. We were very lucky!

Happy Snow Day

For Martin Luther King holiday we got about 3 inches of wonderful, beautiful snow. It was a good thing the schools were already off. Last night as we went to bed it looked like a winter wonderland with big, fat snowflakes gently falling from the sky. If you don't know already, I love snow!!! And I think my kids have caught the snow bug also. But then what kid doesn't like snow? Ashley was certainly thrilled to see the white stuff outside when she got up. Aidan was a little less exhuberant because he has a head cold/virus with a nasty cough. He was happy to be able to lay on the couch and watch cartoons for an extra day, though. So, Ashley and I braved the cold together to shovel off the driveway, make snow angels and do a little bit of sledding. By the time I took the last picture we both had cold, rosy cheeks and were ready to come in for some hot cocoa with Aidan.

Happy New Year from Ohio

Insect Invasion!!!!

Frankie & Mandy sent the kids insect masks and hats from Germany. They were a total hit!!! We are still playing with them. (I don't know how I evaded the camera, but thank goodness!)

Merry Christmas

December

Our biggest event in December, other than Christmas, was Aidan's adenoid surgery. The picture of him wrapped in a blanket was 3 days after the surgery. One week before Christmas Aidan had his adenoids removed and sinus surgery. He was a total trooper and even a little excited at first because he got to miss school and knew he could eat a ton of ice cream. After the surgery was a different matter, though. It took him about 5 days to get back to normal and the only complaint he had was that he never wanted to 'give his blood again!' (ie. have an IV in his arm) That was the only part he really remembered. After that we were in the home stretch for an awesome Christmas.

November in pictures

It has been a whirlwind of activity over the holidays. We had a wonderful time and saw so many good friends and family. We traveled to Gate City, VA for a great, but too short visit with Granny Linn Snapp. The kids loved running wild on her farm with the dogs, cats and horses. We met the Snapp and Smith families in Kingsport, TN for Grandma Snapp's 80th birthday party. (Shannon's mom's maiden name was Snapp).