Frosty Frolicking

My mom is here visiting from Phoenix. On Friday, we were discussing the weather, and she was asking if we got as much snow here as we did in Boston.

"Ohhhhhhhh, nooooo. We never got snow like that last winter. Just a dusting, maybe 2 or 3 inches" I said.

Be careful what you say because look at what we woke up to today!

Little Ali wanted to get in on the action, so we dressed her up and sent her out with Jimmy.

Jimmy pulled Ali around the neighborhood in the sled. We wrapped her in a stadium blanket, and this was all you could see of her. After about 10 minutes, I went outside to check on her and she had fallen asleep!

The big girls have been having a blast. They have been outside for hours with the neighbor kids. We have been sending hot food outside and Jimmy used his backpacker's stove to make them all hot chocolate. I think they have each gone through three pairs of gloves, and come inside at least 100 times to have us fix the gloves that fall off. Jimmy is threatening to duct tape their gloves to their arms if they come in again!

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What a great way to end their Thanksgiving break. Though, after having them home for nine days, I fear tomorrow will be a snow day!

Happy Turkey Day!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!!

What it's all about...

It is so easy to forget all the good we have in our lives, to compare ourselves to others and think we, or our circumstances are somehow lacking. But, I feel truly blessed. When I look around, I am thankful for it all. I hope I am passing on to my girls to be grateful for all the good in their lives, not just today, but everyday.

That's My Girl!!

Emmalena ran her first 5K today! We are so proud of her!!!! She and Jimmy woke up bright and early, braved the 27 degree weather, and joined 2,000 other brave souls for a turkey trot. The course was very hilly, but they finished in 42 minutes. She definitely gets extra pie tonight!!




I'll be your good luck charm!

Proud Daddy! He already has plans for their next race.

Isabella and Grandma made Emmalena a trophy to commemorate her accomplishment, and she got her very own t-shirt at the race.

That's my other Girl!

While Emmalena and Jimmy were out running around, and I was cooking in the kitchen, Isabella entertained herself with the pieces from the magnetic snowman on our fridge.

Who Needs Martha?

The girls and I had fun preparing the table this year. We had it set on Monday, so that when my mom flew in on Tuesday, the table was dressed for dinner. I am sure Martha's table is perfect, but mine is better because each piece on it means something to me. The dishes are from my MIL, the blue and white combo being my favorite. The silverware was a wedding gift from my Aunt Jenny. The candles and candlesticks are new, but I bought them with my dear friend Kim. Aunt Gayle bought us the wine glasses a few years ago and gave me the footed glass bowl. As I sat at the table tonight, it was perfect to me - filled with pieces that meant something, that told a story, and reminded me of those I love.

My niece is selling See's Candy as a fundraiser for her school, and my SIL sent me an email asking if I wanted to buy any, and if I would like a box from her as a Christmas gift. Well, that is like asking a crackhead if they want some crack. I think it is well known that I LOVE chocolate, but See's Candy is just taking it to another level. I emailed my SIL back with my LARGE order (Christmas gifts for others - I swear) and my response to her question regarding whether or not I would like a box. Here it is:


Ummmm, would I like a box? Do men like sex? Do fish like water? Do drunks like booze? I can conjure up the smell of the box in my mind. I can look at each candy in the milk chocolate box, and know exactly what is on the inside. So, yes, I would like a box, maybe the soft centers, so I can learn something new. I will probably hide in my closet while I eat the chocolate. I don't want to be disturbed while I enjoy such a treat. And, let's be honest. I don't want to share. Not with people who don't consider the consumption of such confections to be a spiritual experience. I consider See's Candy to be a physical manifestation of God's love, modern manna.

Thanks,
Alison

PS - This is the best fund raiser ever!

Sage Advice

Tonight, as we were sitting around the dinner table, eating Tater-Tot Casserole, I reminded the girls that our cousin Greg is getting married next weekend. Isabella very excitedly said

"Oh, we need to make them some cards! We can draw some pictures and write~

"Good Luck. Don't Fight."

Hmmm, I wonder why she thinks married couples fight?

Fiscal Education

• Dining room dusted - $10
• Family room dusted - $10
• Kitchen floor cleaned - $10
• Dishwasher unloaded - $5
• Dishwasher reloaded - $5
• Learning how to start the dishwasher $5
• Learning how to clean a toilet $5
• Floor rugs cleaned - $5
• Stairs cleaned - $10
• Girls bathroom cleaned, top to bottom - $25
• 5 loads of laundry, washed, dryed, folded and put away - $25
• Babysitting Ali while the other sister worked - $5

Learning not to mess with Mama - Priceless!!!

Happy Day!!!

I want to wish my favorite father-in-law a happy birthday!!

We hope you enjoy your day. We sure love you!!

You're turning 29, right?