Snowed In

This weekend was something else! Definitely our worst snowstorm since I've lived here (4 years.) We had stayed the night in Hastings at my brother's, and after running some errands once we got back to Woodbury (which was just plain silly of us considering people were getting stuck left and right, but hey - we needed milk and eggs!) we finally - 2 hours later - made our way home to find our driveway like this. What you can't really see is the 2' of snow that had fallen. We HAD to get my CR-V in the garage because the plows would be coming, so whether we liked it or not, we started shoveling. And our driveway isn't exactly short (at least not for a townhome with owners who don't own a snowblower.) It was one of those things that you just had to laugh at otherwise you'd cry.  (I'm very emotional right now.)

What I saw when I opened the garage door...I had no choice but to walk through this with my thin sweatpants and tennis shoes on to get to the house to even GET IN my snow pants. Again, I was laughing.

Welcome to our house! Come on in! *smile.

This drift was as tall as me. By the way, do you all take your hanging baskets/pots down once winter hits? I feel like I should have done that, but it's a little late now. And I really don't care that much....

The next morning...

So Sunday rolls around. We haven't left the house. We spend most of the day in our pj's registering online for baby stuff, which was awesome (the pj part, not the deciding what our first born will actually need. So much pressure and too many options!) We figure we should bundle up and head out to start shoveling - again - around 2:30 pm and that for sure our driveway has been plowed by then. (They didn't get it plowed until close to 6:00 that night...)

(My college friends should appreciate my Columbia 4-n-1 hood. That thing was a life saver when you were walking across campus and I wore it very proudly.)

And p.s. Children's XL snowpants don't fit when you're 6 months pregnant.

We shoveled for an hour - honestly life is so much easier and better when you have a partner to tackle stuff with. Just another reason why I LOVE being married. Some of the drifts were up to my waist so I had to do it in layers, and it's really great having a tall husband who can throw the snow b/c I just couldn't lift and throw it that high. I am sounding dramatic. It wasn't really that bad, but there was just SO much of it. Good exercise though.

King of the mountain!

Oops, can't get out.

Here's to hoping we don't see another blizzard like that this winter!

Christmas Brunch

Planning a Christmas brunch for 
a couple friends and family....

First: Order the perfect winter day.

Second: Have plenty of warm drinks on hand.

Third: Prepare plenty of Monkey Muffins so you have leftovers 
after your guests leave, which are always crowd pleasers.

Fourth: Instead of taking oven time/space, try out Baked Pears in the crock pot 

(which turned out GREAT, by the way! Tom and my holiday favorite.)

Fifth: Find random decorations around your house and decorate the table the night before.

Sixth: Give yourself plenty of time to think of, buy supplies for, and make favors.

Seventh: Capture beautiful smiles.

Eight: Have your hubby assist with passing out numbers for the gift exchange game.

Ninth: Ooh and aah at everyone's great gifts.

Tenth: Thank God for such great friends & family!

Additional suggestions: prep food as much as you can the night before, ask your sweet and loving husband to assist in the kitchen (after he has shoveled the sidewalk and driveway), while using your beautiful wedding China is fun, so is throwing away decorative holiday paper plates and having less clean-up, and most of all - relax & enjoy sharing the Christmas spirit!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#501...Almost three year old nephew Jacob in his footed pj's on a Saturday morning.
#502...Being snowed in with the hubby.
#503...Sugar cookies with almond flavoring. Mmmmm....
#504...Older siblings and friends who can give us baby gear advice. Registering is fun but overwhelming!
#505...Going almost an entire weekend with no make-up and not caring one bit.
#506...New baby 2nd cousins!
#507...Measuring on track and a strong heartbeat.
#508...A six ingredient dinner recipe that Tom couldn't stop raving about. (I added taco seasoning.) If he raves, you know it's good.
#509...My brother-in-law's impromptu decision to be baptised on Sunday. Praise God!
#510..."Love ya" being the first and last thing the hubby says everyday.


Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

26 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Size of baby: 14", 1 2/3 lb

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 13 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Still some regular tops and loving those maternity pants.

Gender: Your guess is as good as mine! 

Movement: Feels like he/she is constantly moving.

Sleep: Toss and turn a lot, but still sleeping great.

What I miss: Being able to run more than a mile.

What I WILL miss: Feeling those sweet kicks and somersaults.

Cravings: My sweet tooth is out of control people. Lovin' those Trader Joes Joe Joe cookies!

Symptoms: Found out at my appointment last Friday that I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions - crazy!

Best moment this past week: 25 week appointment going well - measuring on track and found the heartbeat right away.

Exercise: Usually running a mile/walking a mile, lifting with the hubby and biking 2-3 miles depending on how hard I want to work *smile. 

A little video from Thanksgiving

Our 2.5 year old niece, Brooke, and 5 year old nephew, Grant.

Much to be thankful for...

Thanksgiving was pretty exciting this year. It started out with a" big winter storm" that had us worried we wouldn't even make it out of the Minneapolis airport. I had visions of being snowed in and having to make my first Thanksgiving meal with absolutely no help from my mom or time to prep (literally and mentally). Of course, we give ourselves more than two hours at the airport only to make it through security in ten minutes and have our flight depart on time (despite the deicing on the tarmac that took 45-60 minutes. Grrrrr.) We got into Dayton just fine on Wednesday night, had a nice 45 minute car ride to Mason, OH where Greg and Natalie live and slept like champs. Tom and I were even upgraded to a super comfy king size bed instead of an airmattress this year! (Have I mentioned I love being pregnant? *smile)

Thanksgiving morning was busy with dinner preperations. I wish I could say I contributed to the delicious meal we had, but I only poured water. But I did watch and ask questions, just in case I ever have to figure this whole turkey thing out on my own. Al (Natalie's dad) did a fabulous job with the turkey. He's the man!

 

Boys working hard making breakfast in the kitchen - love it!

In she goes!

"Papa, pleeeease throw us up in the air one more time?"

"Ok, one more time but only this once."

Serious cribbage players.

Serious solitaire players.

The girls checking Al's turkey work.

It turned out fabulous!

Everything did. Stuffing. Sweet potatoes. Green bean casserole. Warm roles with homemade jelly. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Cranberries.

I.want.more.now.

Awwwww....

Watch out!

Family pic. We finally got out of our pj's! *smile.

Glasses when you don't need them is the new cool thing.

So is playing dress-up. Brooke was a "pirate princess." Bless her sweet heart.

Looking online for THE COOLEST princess and spider man pictures to color with Uncle T.

We also had a "small" project to tackle while we were at their house - recovering the six dining room chairs that Natalie's parents brought with them. (Tom and I had done this once before with our own dining room chairs - and the major assistance of my interior designer sister - two and a half years ago...)

Before:

Tom and Greg workin' the staple gun.

And seven hours (not kidding) later................

After:

We surprised Grant that night with an early Christmas present - his very own live African dwarf frogs! Natalie and I found them at their local Hallmark store of all places. They came as part of this cool Wild Creations EcoAquarium. Brooke was a little scared, but Grant was thrilled. He feeds them two pellets each twice a week, and the aquarium has to be cleaned every couple of months. I kind of want one....

Brooke, in her princess nightgown, and Uncle T watching Beauty and the Beast for the 18th time....

I don't have any pictures from our girls shopping trip and lunch on Monday or from my time spent sleeping in and relaxing with my book or a magazine or from our two trips to the gym or our family Hallmark movie night......it was a busy but relaxing four and a half days with the Barntsen fam! Tom and I are so grateful for such wonderful and loving families on both sides.

And that's our Thanksgiving wrap-up!