S is for SNOW MY GOSH

Yes we survived the BLIZZARD OF 2011. PSHAW, it wasn't that big of a deal. Except for maybe when I wanted to get the van out of the garage and could not because of all the SNOW piled up against it. AND I wasn't one of those un-lucky drivers stuck on Lake Shore Drive. (picture above via google images) go HERE for more amazing pictures of The Bliz across the Midwest and beyond! 

We didn't get any pictures. UNTIL this past week. The snow is still here and we were finally healthy enough to play in it! (the kids all had strep throat the week of The Bliz. and I was rockin' a pretty nice chest cold myself)
But Hey, when it is NASTY outside, it makes it EXTRA nice to be snuggled up inside. And well I LOVE the snow, so it was all enjoyable for me. I did try to convince my family to hop on a plane with me and head to Hawaii, but the responsibilities of our jobs won out. BOO! Good thing too as The Mr and My Sister were both called into the Fran to cover shifts for co-workers that were stuck else where. Snowed in. And they just walk to work. Sure there was the fear of getting lost in the HUGE snowdrifts but they made it much to the delight of the hospital!
so with out further blabbing, here are our snow pictures.

I did venture out during the storm to try and get pictures of the 25 foot waves that were suppose to be swelling the Lake Michigan shore...but all I saw was this

but here are someones amazing shots - these were taken in Milwaukee WI (via google image search)

Seriously, It's cold!

This is a picture of our drain pipe - frozen solid.

And that is why I don't have amazing pictures to share*, or great stories to tell, or adventures** to post about. It is just TOO COLD! And before that, there was just TOO MUCH SNOW!
(just to give you an idea, my shampoo and conditioner are sitting in the windowsill of my
bathroom and I couldn't use them because THEY WERE FROZEN!

Other than that, we are enjoying hanging out at home in our cozies (secret word for pj's). Cuddling under blankets, playing lot's of board games - during nap time so that Miss A doesn't dance on our boards. Today, I even had the girls scrubbing down the out side of the refrigerator and cupboards. I think they are so board from being inside all the time, that they actually had fun scrubbing away!

We did venture out twice this week. Once for kindergarten open house - that's right my little girl starts kindergarten in the fall. There are a TON of forms to fill out. We also have to have eye and dental exams done before she starts.

Our other exciting adventure was to North Western's campus. Miss A is randomly selected for these studies that the child development does. It's quick, the girls have fun playing with toys
and they get to pick out a thank you gift to take home and this week, it helped us get out of the house.

And that about wraps up another exciting week at our house.
I will leave you with a home music video


Monkeying Around from Rebekeh on Vimeo.


*ok, my kids are in the pictures so the are AMAZING!

** and everyday is an adventure especially with Miss A!

Surfs up on Frozen Lake Michigan

Usually I get down to the lake lots more than I have this winter - I like going down there and looking at the frozen water and sand - well snow over the sand. But I guess bringing a new baby down to the lake really isn't practical. One day last week after picking the girls (that I watch) up from school, I had a couple of errands to run which brought us pretty close to the lake, taking advantage of our location we headed to the lake. It was too cold and windy to get everyone out of the car, but I managed to snap a few pictures. The waves were really rolling in that day - you could have caught some if you don't mind frozen ice chunks in the freezing cold water! Can you say BURRRR!!!!

I was really trying to capture the waves. I must have moved right as I was
taking this shot because it turned out blurry, but you still get the idea of the waves.

Frozen Lake, Tree and Snow

This is the Lee street beach - this is the beach that K and

I use to live right by, we would head over there as often
as possible.

Rethinking Chicago Winters

I have often said, I LOVE WINTER, I have, really, lot's of times, and not because I am trying to convince myself I love winter, but because I truly love winter. I love the snow, snowman, snowballs, snowflakes, blizzards, ice, cold, having to bundle up, hats, scarves, boots, gloves, mittens, sledding, skiing...then coming inside, fire's, hot chocolate, blankets, cuddles, being snowed in, watching the snow fall at night... but now after these snowstorms, and another one currently happening outside right now, really it's just too much! I am done. I want, no I need my body to defrost, I need a beach and some sun, ocean waves, sand between my toes, a pretty manicure, a good beach book, tropical drinks, tropical food, sleeping in late, snorkeling, watching Marlee in the water, Ava in the sand, Keenan on his board...

but instead, I am here, in the middle of a big ole' Chicago Winter...

My Front Yard
today, right now!

My Backyard playing with the girls
(this was after last weeks storm)

My Neighbors

But this, this is where I WANT to be, NEED to be!
My favorite little spot in Hawaii
Chinaman's Hat...

(I am off to go listen to Ava's sound machine - it makes the sound of ocean waves....)

Ward Party

Last night we had our ward holiday party - what holiday you ask? Winter (you know since it lasts so long here!!) My friend did a fabulous job putting this party together! And everyone brought YUMM-O food! Here are just SOME of the pictures that this friend took...

Khania (party planner) and Evy

The food spread

Cole at the craft table

Miss Marlee at the craft table

Nathan and Marlee at the fishing booth

Keenan and Ava

Rebekeh, Sarah and Julie

Let it Snow!

I love snow! Always have, always will...
(just in case you wondered why we live in the Midwest and not Hawaii)

here are some pictures of our snow.
(funny there are NO pictures of Me in the snow, for someone LOVING
the SNOW so MUCH!!!)

it's snowing!

Marlee and Keenan at the sled hill

there she goes!

snow angel