Blizzard '09. The Snow Fort.

Lily making snowballs with her snowball maker.

Abbey and Gracie and their fort.

Abbey and Gracie working on their fort.

Beginning the fort.

Abbey beginning the first snowball.

The girls and I were out of school for 2 days due to the blizzard we have been getting. I think we ended up with 8 inches of snow in just a couple of days. So, they went outside last night to work on their fort. Lily was the professional snow getter and snowball maker. Abbey and Gracie organized the fort and ended up with a pretty cool fort before the evening was over. Lots of snow angels were made and a few snowball fights. We had a great time together the last two days. Lots of movies, hot cocoa and vegetable beef soup. I got lots done -- laundry and lots of gift wrapping. We're getting closer to getting ready for Christmas.

First Big Snow

Lily playing in the snow.

Lily getting dressed to go out in the snow.

And again...

And again...

A Day at the Farm

Abbey and Gracie

Gracie, Abbey and Oreo

Gracie standing on a fallen tree.

Lily, Abbey and Aunt Sarah standing by the creek.

Uncle Mike, Uncle Nick, Gracie, Lily, Abbey and Aunt Sarah by the creek.

We spent our traditional day after Thanksgiving morning at the farm on the Friday following Thanksgiving. We usually rock hunt, though we didn't get a chance to this year. Mike was here and wanted to spend some time out there. I had to rush back to get ready for the Home Tour and to get the girls ready for dinner at Connie's that afternoon. But, it was a beautiful couple of hours spent in the fresh air. Oreo and Lucky (Mike's dog) really enjoyed running around out there.

Dinner at Our House!

Uncle Mike, Uncle Nick, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Clint and Christy,Me and Kent, Lily, Gracie, Nana and Dave and Abbey.

Uncle Mike, Uncle Clint, Gracie, Abbey and Uncle Nick

Lily, Gracie, Uncle Mike and Abbey

Abbey, Gracie, Nana, Lily and Aunt Sarah listening to Uncle Nick's Big Tale!!

Uncle Nick telling a big story

Mike came in on Thursday and Nana's kitchen is still torn up due to her cabinets not being finished yet. So, we had dinner at our house tonight for everyone to get to spend time with Mike. Clint and Christy came with Uncle Nick and Aunt Sarah. We had a great time visiting with everyone and eating lots of good food. It was so good to get to spend time with Mike.

The Big One !!!

Abbey blowing a HUGE bubble!

Lil' Helpers

View from the inside of the girls washing the windows

View from the outside of the girls washing the windows.

The City's Chamber is hosting a Christmas home tour for Christmas this year and they asked us to be one of the homes on the tour. So, Kent and I have been busy getting the house ready for the upcoming tour. Mom came over to help me last Saturday. She had the girls helping out as well. It's amazing to me how much better she is at letting the girls "help" than I am. She had the girls cleaning the glass and dishes in my hutch and then had the girls washing my window. We decided it was too good of a picture to pass up. Here are all three of the girls standing in the window getting it sparkly clean for the home show.

Lil' Cheerleaders

I have taken on the responsibility of Middle School Cheerleading sponsor this year. I have supervised the football and am now finishing up the Basketball games. So, the girls have been to too many after school cheerleading practices to count. Needless to say, they now know every MS cheer there is to know. (Kent has decided that I need another duty next year due to the amount of cheers he now knows)!!!! Here are the girls performing their latest cheer for us!