Snowboarding

Jim got out the 4-wheeler today to take Abby snowboarding.  She loved it!!  Trevor and Maggie loved chasing after her too.  It was great to get the kids outside for some fresh air!!

Getting ready to take off.

Trevor & Maggie getting in on the action!

Oops!  She does occasionally wipe out!

Jim pulling her on the 4-wheeler.

Abby's Birthday

Abby's new Tony Hawk Huckjam series skateboard -- level 4!!

You have to remember that we have been housebound for the past 3 days!!

Abby explaining the skateboard to Trevor.

Getting ready to blow out the candles.

It was definitely different celebrating Abby's birthday this year.  Due to the blizzard, we have not left the house since Monday night.  We did do our shopping early but I had to improvise with the cake.  I made a new recipe -- Dump Cake.  It wasn't too bad for a last minute substitution!! 

Happy 10th Birthday Abby!

It is impossible to believe that my baby is turning 10 today!!  Here are several of our memories!!

Happy Birthday Abby!!

• You were born on a Saturday night.
• We left for the hospital at 8 a.m. that morning after Gramma & Grampa K. came to watch Trev.
• You looked so serious when you were born.
• They put a pink bow in your hair as soon as you were born.
• You were way too little for the beautiful white snowsuit that Gramma T. bought you!
• Trevor was amazed at you as he looked in the cradle at you.
• Trevor thought that you belonged to Gramma T. and that you should go home with her!!
• You were a good sleeper and a good eater.
• You looked absolutely adorable in your pink Winnie the Pooh hat.
• You began walking at 9 months old -- just trying to keep up with Trev!
• You were a good car rider.
• You looked so tiny in your Dad's arms.
• You are quite athletic -- you aren't afraid to try any sport and you are pretty good at many of them!
• You like school and your teachers.
• You love goofing around and playing sports with your Dad.
• You always stick up for your Mom.
• You miss Mom when she goes scrapbooking with her sisters.
• You love your brother -- even though you fight like cats and dogs!!
• You are a big Bears fan -- just like your Dad!!
• You like to be outside with your dogs and cats.
• You love to read -- just like your Mom!
• You ask tons of questions....all the time!!
• You like to know all about the past -- you will be the next family historian.
• You love spending time with your family.
• You are so happy to have a cell phone -- and you are pretty responsible for it (except for the recent JC Penney incident!!).
• You enjoy visiting Mom's sisters in Chicago.
• You remind me of a city mouse/country mouse -- you enjoy the best of both worlds.
• You do tend to yell more and more often!!
• You take the longest showers -- we may have to get a timer for you.
• You love taking care of your "baby cousins."
• You look up to your older cousins.
• You wanted to be "one of the boys" in Shelbyville -- you took off your shirt, just like the boys!
• You stayed up later than everyone else on our first night in the pop-up camper.
• You love fishing and catching frogs while camping.
• You gave us quite a scare when you crashed your bike -- we learned what the inside of the Shelbyville hospital looks like!
• You have a sweet tooth.
• You just informed me that you are not a cake person -- I can't believe that you are related to me!!

Happy Birthday Abby!!  We look forward to many more exciting years :)

Love,

Mom and Dad

Digging Out

This is our snowblower!

Jim blowing out the lane so we can drive somewhere soon!

Playing in the Snow

  The kids had fun playing on the piles and the dogs loved it that the kids came out!

2011 Blizzard -- Day 2, Wednesday, 8 a.m.

My kitchen window

Looking out the front door towards the road

Normally I can see the stopsign from my front door.

It didn't seem as bad as we thought it would be.  The wind is still howling so we will see what today brings!

2011 Blizzard -- Day 1, Tuesday, 5 p.m.

The storm has gotten a lot worse very quickly!!

2011 Blizzard -- Day 1, Tuesday, 2 p.m.

They say that this is going to be a blizzard to remember so I am going to document it the best that I can -- remember that my internet is bounced off a grain bin so it may become quite difficult!!  As of 2 p.m., here are the pictures of the storm from my front door.