Christmas Memory

I just remembered a little heart warming story. Little A just told me that he doesn't really know what he bought me for Christmas since he just liked what the present said and didn't really know what it was used for. (From a little Christmas store at the school.) I remembered shopping in the mall for presents for the fam when I was probably in 7th or 8th grade. I found a neat glass with a rabbit on it at a drugstore in the mall. (remember when Northwoods was safe?) I got it for dad since the rabbit had a bowtie and was obviously masculine. I showed it to mom after we met up in the mall and watched her eyes bug out of her head. She was mad and drug me back to the store where I purchased the Playboy shotglass and gave the clerk a stern talking to about selling things like these to minors and how disgusting to have it out in the store where children walk though, etc. I was mortified. I had no idea what was wrong with the cute bunny glass, but I have suddenly realized why I avert my eyes to anything with the Playboy Logo on it! Awww, sweet holiday memories!

I'm With the Band!

Alicia and I enjoyed Alex's band performance this week. After we watched him play a few songs we both leaned to each other at the same time and said, 'He's sooooo cute!" No worries Alicia, I won't tell Alex that you called him cute!

Mid-Blizzard

I could use some help shoveling.

Shoveling!

I accept the fact that I have to shovel everyday. However, I cleared the driveway and sidewalks yesterday afternoon at 1:30. I was back out this morning at 8:30 and am ever so impressed with the amount of snow on the driveway. It's enough to drive a 5ft chick insane.

What's a new post without including some snow?

Only a few schools were lucky enough to have a late start. Seriously, what's the fun in snow if they don't throw in a snow day every now and again?

Newsworthy

We have always considered Alicia newsworthy. Apparently, so does the local new channel. See the video below - way below at the bottom of this page!

Slumber Party

Alex invited a few friends to spend the night tonight. (Marshall thinks that he is always invited!)

Smile!

Brrrrrrrrr...

Self portrait via Alicia (I told them that I wasn't going outside today.)

We will be buying boots tomorrow if the roads are clear.

I shot this picture from halfway out the side door and halfway in the warm house. Yes, I made Gram shovel today. I felt so bad sitting inside drinking hot cocoa and watching her work for her room and board! She went to bed at 7... An honest day's work!

Blizzard Baby!

Here are some snowy pictures to enjoy!

You cannot see our little Alicia, but she's across the street waiting on the bus.

Where is the driveway? Sidewalk? Street?

My first attempt at clearing (locating) the driveway.
Note the puzzle that Gram brought, it's all about poker! Guess she likes to teach 'em young!

*It's so nice to have Gram with us - it just feels normal!

Where in the World is Gram?

She's not in any of the red areas! The base is above the word Minot (in center) just a smidgen above where it says 83. Can you say Blizzard Baby?!?! I encouraged Gram to go to the Mall of America, but she was intent on hanging out at the Minnesota airport! It's day 2 of her journey and hopefully she'll make it to ND today!

When you're sick, you're sick!

It hurt just to look at him. He broke our hearts and is finally feeling better!

Crazy Cat

Marshall wants to go with Sr. on his trip. (So do we!)
Hmm..what is that?

Maybe Alicia will take me to school!

Marshall (orange) is the most entertaining (naughty) cat!

Just Trickin' Around

Alicia's pumpkin is winking and Alex's has glasses. We enjoyed a surprisingly warm Halloween.

Dead Corn Maze

We decided to hit up a corn maze and pumpkin patch this weekend while the weather was warm. Let's just say that they both left a lot to be desired. The maze was sparce and the pumpkins were invisible.
We tried to lose our kids, but they kept finding us! (Alicia's friend "H" is our added guest.)

Hidden Camera

Awww, memories - and yes - we've eaten all of the things that they discussed.

Happy Day

Alicia and I have an hour together after school. She fills me in on her day and I love our time together. (Alex and I get an hour in the morning.) This day (above) she walked in and was literally glowing. She laughed through her explanation of her day and I couldn't resist trying to capture her glow in a snapshot.

Slumber Party

Our two kitties missed Alicia when she spent the night out at a slumber party. They were quick to lay claim to her sleeping bag when she returned.

It's only October!

Is there a picture of Minot next to the word cold in the dictionary? I am really beginning to wonder... I sadly did not partake of the first snow and happily shot these pictures from the sliding glass door. Alex and Alicia made snow angels and goofed around Sunday morning. They saved a snow ball in the freezer to tide them over until the next bout.

Lewis and Clark

The highlight of our Bismarck trip was a side trip we took on our way back to Minot. We visited Fort Mandan on the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Space Aliens

Similar to Chuck E. Cheese, but with an Applebees menu.

Little Ones

3 weeks ago

Lily is two weeks older than Marshall and she has outgrown their little bed. She won't accept the fact and continues to sleep there no matter how uncomfortable she gets.

Zoo

If only we could have left them in the prairie dog tunnel!

It's funny that they had these in a cage since they are plentiful in ND. In fact, there are 5 digging tunnels in my yard right now!

Highlight - they were very sweet and cuddly.

We hit up the zoo in Bismarck. Well, it wasn't as ghetto as Okinawa's zoo, but we were not overly impressed.

Road Trip

There was a sign that said Point of Interest and pointed to these wind turbines.Welcome to the town of Max- blink and you'll miss it!
Bea-U-Ti-Ful



We headed south to Bismarck to get a taste of the big city. The 2 hours of sunflower fields and farmlands did not discourage our hopes for a bustling metropolis that is the state's capital. Hah! A bit of a disappointment to find out that Goose Creek is larger than Bismarck. Here are some sites along the trip.

Alex's BDay 2.0

It's good to be Alex and celebrate your birthday twice. We went to Space Alien's for dinner and Alex's new toy is the drum set you'll see in one of the pictures. No worries, it's the drum set that comes with the video game Guitar Hero. He's 10 Fo' Real!

State Fair

We were fortunate to arrive before the biggest event in ND this year. The performers were Sugarland, Matchbox 20, Clay Walker (Ydnew's favorite), and some others that I can't remember. The city loves the Air Force and the state fair treats military members to a free afternoon of rides. We took advantage of my new favorite "Cindy on a Budget" price of FREE!