Winter Wonderland

We have endured the freeze out and now 10 inches of snow has fallen upon us. It began snowing on Friday evening and it has been snowing off and on ever since. Prior to this weekend, Jason used the snow blower maybe twice. This weekend, it was used twice a day....yikes! They are still predicting another 5"-8" on Wednesday. Looks like we are right on schedule for ringing in March in Wisconsin. Just when you think spring is right around the corner. Nope, not yet....let's have another foot of snow.

Since it was snowing and blowing outside, I decided to make the best use of my time...cleaning! I spent one whole day last week "gutting" out Kyle's room. One day and one garbage bag later, the room was spic and span and looking mighty fine.

This spurred the cleaning beast within me and the playroom was my next victim. Friday evening we went and purchased some storage units and chairs...the beast was unleashed and the whirlwind began. I might possibly have looked like the tasmanian devil from Looney Tunes. After three hours, a toy box, table and various toys fell victim to my wrath and found their new homes in 4 garbage bags.

My inner beast was not quite satisfied and Saturday it made it's way into the pit of Kory's room. I went in and didn't escape for 4 hours. After 4 hours and two garbage bags, his room was cleaned to my satisfaction!

Jason and I have fallen victim to what might possibly be the most addicitive computer game ever....ZUMA! Thanks to our friends, Josh and Emily, for the introduction to the biggest time-waster in the world :) Let's just say 2 hours can go by in a minute. There are twelve stages with seven levels in each stage. Stages 1-8 weren't too hard to conquer and the game didn't really become that addictive until stage 9 was thrust upon us. There is something about the human mind that just can't let a computer beat you. Therefore, one will spend hours looking at the same sequence of boards, trying to conquer them. We are happy to report that we have both conquered stage 9 and breezed through stages 10 & 11 only to slapped with the same sequence of boards in stage 12 as in stage 9.....aaah! Will the madness ever end? We'll keep you posted on our accomplishments :) I am just glad that I was able to accomplish some good (cleaning and organizing) with my bad (ZUMA) this last week. I am also happy to report that ZUMA has not been played yet this week. However, the determination to beat the game is burning within me, so it will be played before the week ends.

We have nothing extra on the schedule this week so we plan to take advantage of the time and just chill out at home.

Have a good week and God bless.

The Heat Wave!

Well, a heat wave has come upon us Wisconsinites. Yesterday was a balmy 30 degrees and today we are suppose to have a high of 32. It is sad when you think 30 degrees is warm :) It's almost just sweatshirt weather right?! We are praying that the 30's turn into 40's and 50's and this dreaded winter will soon be over.

The boys and I enjoyed a day at home yesterday as they did not have school. It was nice to have that extra day after the weekend to just chill out at home. However, today it's back to the grind. Unfortunately, Kory has come down with the flu (high temp, body aches, etc.) so he will be joining me at home again today. The influenza is spreading like wildfire in the boys' school and the students are dropping out like flies each week. Last week one classroom had 9 gone in one day! I am praying that this passes through his system quickly.

On Sunday our church had a "family fun day" snow tubing at Sylvan Hills. There are six runs, three of which, were curvy and extremely fast. They had to close one while we were there due to dangerous conditions. I went down those twice and opted for the other three, which were fast, but straight. The boys loved it (Jason included). Jason, however, loved it a little too much as you can see below...

On the last run down the hill, he and our friend, Steve, decided they were going to take out some of the hay bails along the side. Well, their plan didn't quite pan out. They ended up headed straight at them. Steve plowed into the hay bails first taking out 10 and blowing 2 completely apart. And by doing this set himself up to be a perfect launching pad for Jason who was following right behind. Jason went up and his eye met the icing hill upon landing. He is feeling alright, but completely annoyed by having to explain what happened many, many times yesterday. I guess boys will never truly grow up will they?

Last week during the freeze out, Jason took some photos of one of the conveyors at work. Can't you just feel the cold air coming off your computer screen?!

Yikes! I guess this is what makes us northerners "hearty". In other words, this is what makes up pack on the extra pounds in winter :).

This week we are trying to enjoy a few quiet moments between meetings and such. And hopefully everyone will be healthy by Friday so we can make a trip to Grandma's and Grandpa's house.

Have a great week!

Freezing in Wisconsin!

As I write this post it is -8 degrees with a windchill of -32 degrees, which makes the real feel a blustery -40 degrees. Can anyone stop this insanity?! And, it is only going to get worse tomorrow. Oh, how I hate winter...did the ground hog see his shadow? I believe he did not. Which supposedly means 6 more weeks of winter. Oh, if only that were true!

Jason is at the "No Regrets" men's conference in Milwaukee today. He was out of the house bright and early...3:30 a.m. I spent the morning into early afternoon taking care of two of my friend's little girls. It's nice to have girls around and they love the boys. Kory is spending the afternoon at his friend, Alex's birthday party. Kyle and I braved the cold (and Wal-Mart on a Saturday) and went and got the much needed groceries. And in about 15 minutes we are off to hang out with our friends the Yachs, eat pizza and watch "Take the Lead" while we are waiting for our husbands to return home. I am looking forward to the visit, just not having to go out in the frigid weather :(

This past week was filled with craziness. Jason and I went downhill skiing for the first time on Tuesday evening (with the temperatures in the single digits). I was extremely nervous anticipating this event; however, I found that it's not as hard as it looks. I caught on very fast and by the end of the 3 hours I was parallel skiing! Jason did quite well also; however, needs a little more practice before conquering the big hill :) I did not come out of the evening unscathed however. I did take a couple of nasty falls and I have huge bruises to prove it. Let's just say sleeping on my side was not an option for a couple of nights! I also managed to bruise my hands somehow while flipping and sliding down the slope...so on Wednesday I walked around with my hands raised in the air because hanging them at my sides caused severe throbbing and pain.

I spent my days this week at my friend Jessica's house assembling diaper cakes. We are hosting a baby shower for our friend, Ali (the pregnant one in the pictures below). Anyway, I have to say we did a splendid job, but I really don't want to look at anymore diapers, onesies, washclothes, and burp clothes for awhile. Once the cakes were finished we were onto the invitations. Who knew this many hours went into a baby shower?

My friend Emily is now back from vacation with her pictures. So I thought I would send you proof of the real craziness.

This week is filled with more business and hopefully warmer weather. We are going to friends' house for the super bowl...go Colts! Monday brings with it a consultation with Kyle's dentist. He needs quite a bit of work done on his teeth so we get to go and listen to the dentist explain what the head gear with do and how much money we will owe him:) Tuesday, Cub Scouts for the boys and I will be going to Hope Pregnancy Center for a tour with our youth group; Wednesday, One Way/G180; and then Jason leaves for Madison and will be back on Friday evening. Friday evening Jason's aunt, uncle and cousin are coming into town to go skiing (hence the mini skiing lessons on Tuesday) and Saturday will be spent on the slopes. Wow, with all this running, I hope to burn some major calories!

Anyway, I hope you are all doing well. It should would be great to hear from you :)

Have a great week and God bless.