Interesting Winter

Here in the South, we can go many years without snow or even cold weather.

It's been several years since our last snow.

This year, we've had 2 significant snow events.

Our latest started yesterday.

Sleet began yesterday early.

It continued for about 15 hours. (practically non-stop)

Late last night it turned to snow
and snowed throughout the night.

We are the lucky few.

We still have power.

Because we did not get much freezing rain.  

Here are a few pics..

Early, a wee bit of snow but mostly sleet

Early afternoon, still sleeting

Afternoon at the birdie feeder

Notice the ice on the bush

Sleet accumulation

with some icing

We woke up to snow this morning

So we HAD to play in it before the big thaw this afternoon

My only rule was, stay in our backyard but NOT under the trees

They say it should be above 40 by this afternoon.  Hoping the roads are clear since I have to take Sawyer to clinic tomorrow for chemo.  We've already postponed it once due to weather.

Snow-magedon 2014

It has been a good snow (unless you were stuck on the interstate)

Fortunately, we were home.

It started around Noon.

Sawyer got mad at me because I wouldn't let him go out.

(Until he felt how cold it was...)

Was still snowing at 7pm.

Today, we've had neighbors in and out.

They play for a while.

Come in to warm up and dry off.

Head back out.

Ansley actually shed her coat at one point.

They'd get wet gloves...ask for dry ones. (matching or not)

It has been a really fun day.

Ansley's Comic

Today in art class, Ansley studied about comic strips.  This is her  Super Hero comic

The Face of Cancer

The "Seriously, Mom?  you want to make pictures NOW?" face

The "Whatever will I wear" face.

The "I know!  How bout my best Grandpa shirt!" face

 The "I can't do a thing with my hair" face

The "Oh right, I'm cute anyway" face

The "Please, let this be the last picture" face

Dear Ansley

Tonight you went to your third Daddy-Daughter dance sponsored by your Girl Scout service unit.  My how you have grown.  I believe you get more beautiful each day.

My hope for you tonight and each and every day is that you learn wonderful lessons from your daddy.  I hope you learn how your future husband should treat you.  I know you were frustrated that Dad was taking too long. Just remember, he wanted to look extra special for you.  Why?  Because you deserve it!  You deserve someone who treats you with respect and honor, who thinks you are worth the extra effort.   You deserve someone who listens to you and enjoys being with you.  You deserve someone who respects you.   Dad is teaching you what that looks like.  When you find that special person, you will know it because dad has taught you that lesson.

I think we are all lucky to have such a wonderful man leading our family. He treats Mom with such love and respect and honor.  He loves, respects, and honors his children too.  My wish for you is that you will find such a loving man to marry some day. (Now, I hope that day is many, many years in the future).

I hope you remember this night!  I love you!

Mom

Happy Holidays

I have been slacking on taking pictures.

Just trying to enjoy the moments.

Here are a few of the few I have taken.

 The Night Before Christmas

 There's a skeptic in the house

 The children are nestling in their "sleepover" beds

 The Stockings were hung but now are full of goodies

Yes, we are geeks.

 They got an origami polyhedron book with paper

 Zoob Challenge Thingies

 A Lap Loom

Molecular kit

He was explaining about the carbon, hydrogens, etc

ummm,  I forget what it was. 

I think I need a remedial course.

Sorry, kids.  I hope when you read this years from now, you will remember this Christmas fondly.

Especially, since I didn't take many pictures and most were blurry for whatever reason.

Funny, with all the gifts you got, these are the ones that made the biggest first impression.

Dad and Lad

Another Year

Another Dad and Lad BakeOff

Judson made S'moreish Brownies

Turner made Bugle Bites

Both were tasty!

We had another movie night too.

For the record:

The kids prefer Desk Set to Holiday Inn.

Family Movie Night

This year we've decided to start a new Christmas tradition.

Watching Christmas Movies!

Tonight I chose the movie.

Spencer Tracy

Katherine Hepburn

"Desk Set"

Wasn't sure how they would respond

But

I was pleasantly surprised.

The liked it!

Seriously, they did.

(and it had nothing to do with the fact I told them they could watch it

or they could go to bed)

Best quote:

Ansley:  Is that a computer?

Judson:  Yes.   That is what they looked like in the Nineteen Hundreds.

It was a good night!

Best Kind of Prize

Is a SUR-PRIZE!

We told the kids we were going to surprise them today with something fun.

The criteria being, it had to be fun for everyone.

Here they are trying to guess...

And the SURPRISE?

A Movie!

FROZEN

 

They Loved It.

Then we went out to eat!

 

It was a great day!

Always Busy

One thing we try to do,

Is keep life as

"NORMAL"

as possible.

These are some of the normal things we do:

 

Where's Waldo?

Scouts!

(remember, "normal" is a relative term)

This year, like last, the kids' scout troops marched in the local 

Christmas Parade.

Of course, when the opportunity arises to do something extra special,

we JUMP on it.

The folks at Aflac and Delta offered Sawyer a trip to the North Pole.

He had a wonderful time.

 In our limo

 From our limo.  There were an equal number of limos behind us.

Sawyer apparently made the 'nice' list.

Santa must have missed him trying to kick me in the shin this morning 

because I wouldn't let him jump line.