Here's Your Sign

And while we were gone, they posted this sign at the entrance to our neighborhood.

How did they know? Did they take a poll?

What's next: Short Bus Parking Signs?

Honestly, they've putting putting up this same sign for how long? Could they not think of better verbage at this point?

Mexico

Aaron and I were so fortunate to go on the Top Producers Trip for his agency a few weeks ago. It was one week after the Great Ice Storm, so I was so glad to leave.

We started the weekend in Tulsa at his company award banquet, where he won the Junior Partner Award--I was so proud of him!

So off to Mexico with 8 other fabulous couples. We ate, laid around, and watched whales jumping out of the ocean. We even went out to sea to watch them up close....in a raft! Yikes!

Here's the view from hotel...it was pretty rough.

Snow Day(s)

I always think back to that fateful December Day in 1991 when I was thinking about where to go to college, and I thought "I'm going to go someplace warm."

Little did I know, the place I chose would be HORRIBLY warm in August, but also have some mighty cold days.

We just completed 4 straight days of no school due to all the snow and the layer of ice under it all. Never in my growing up years did school get cancelled for 4 days! (Actually, school was in on Monday, but the roads got so bad from 9 to 10, that I went and picked them both up!)

The kids were great, it was me who almost lost it! We sledded several days and I even pulled them on the sled to the local high school to sled on the berms there. (Aaron took my truck on Wed. b/c his "sport tires" are WORTHLESS on snow and ice....so I was stranded...I don't do well stranded.)

It was 65 degrees yesterday, so it's all a distant memory. All I thought of the whole time was, "I'm going to Mexico in 10 days...."

My Little Toothless Girl turned 7 last week, and she had 4 friends over for a sleepover. The painted nails, watched princess movies, and chased Wyatt out of the room. It was pretty fun, I must say, and I think we're going to enjoy 7!

When Will I Learn?

In my ongoing effort to be Mom-of-the-Year, and teach my children to care about the earth, we decdided to make little pinecone and peanut butter birdfeeders today. (Did I mention that it's MLK day and everyone is out of school? Did I mention that practically EVERYONE else has a hubby home today, except us?)
This is the mess my kids managed to create in about 2 mintues, making just 2 bird feeders. And I didn't even show you their gooeys hands, made worse when Wyatt dropped all his PB/Birdseed combo on his lap.
When will I learn to do these things outside?

Score 1 for the birds.

But the best part was when Jenna offered to help me vaccuum up the mess. I"m all about raising a child who helps...sure, go for it! When I came back from the garage, she had stopped and had a look of alarm on her face.
"Mom. It sucked up my sock."
Raise your hand if you think this was an accident.
That's what I thought.

Two Things:
1. My vaccuum cleaner is very powerful. (Yeah!)
2. My vaccuum cleaner comes about in many places. (Yeah!)
3. My vaccuum cleaner is dirty. (Yikes!)

Happy New Year!

Well, these little Oklahoma Children learned what cold really meant! When we got to Nebraska before Christmas, it was 5 degrees, with a wind chill I don't care to discuss! By the time we made it to South Dakota, it had warmed to the teens, and we had a lovely, light snowfall!
The kids went sledding at my Papa's hill. (These photos are taken BEFORE it all began....) Unlike the sledding in my day where we had to walk back up the hill (about 1/3 mile), my cousin hauled them up on the four-wheeler!

As you can see, Jenna has not yet gotten her wish of her two front teeth....she has a nice lisp going that we find pretty endearing.

Christmas was crazy and fun! My entire family was there, including 6 little ones. Santa made a visit to the kids, and was enormously popular with Wyatt!

We finished out the Christmas Craziness yesterday with the Curry Family. (Just in time to start thinking about birthdays....) Jenna cleaning up in the Barbie/Makeup Department, and Wyatt got a bunch of great trucks. The best moment was when Wyatt accidentally opened one of Jenna's gifts, and it was a Barbie Test. He smacked it with both fists and grunted in disgust....can't imagine why he didn't want it. He later found his Spider Man Tent, and as I write this, he is sound asleep in said tent on his floor.

Have a wonderful 2009!

My Fridge Runneth Over

I just opened my fridge, and I don't think I have ever seen it that full....it looks like a winning Tetris game!

We hosted 16 people for Thanksgiving, and had my family in from Colorado and South Dakota...it was such a great time!

Not many people in this day can host with both their family and in-laws and have everyone enjoy their day. We are so thankful to have had both our sets of parents here.

We'd love to hear about your weekend--did anyone do any crazy shopping trips? Any cooking disasters? Any new family traditions? Let us know!

PS We learned a new game of Speed Scrabble....totally addicting!