Blizzard 2010 Part 1

We were hit with more than two feet of snow last night, with 5-8 more inches on the way today. We lost power for some hours during the night (thankfully Danny put a generator on our house so we had partial power for some heat! Thank you honey for such great forethought!) Danny went out this morning to try and snowblow the driveway... to me this picture shows such hopelessness!! haha

Looking out an upstairs window...

Doesn't seem we will ever get the vehicles dug out. (love this shot Hannah!)

Somewhere under there is our pool and deck furniture!!

More to come later...

Snow...again...

We have had more snow this winter than any in a long time. As a matter of fact our snowfall total has exceeded that of my parents. Which, of course, sounds like nothing, until you realize that they live in MINNESOTA!! We woke up to six inches this morning, are expecting another 19-22 inches this weekend, and then more next Tuesday! I do love snow, but I really am sort of feeling like I have had my fill of it.

Our sap is freezing as it drips out. This tube came out of the spicket of course, but still, this just shows how cold it has been here.

I think we would enjoy the snow more if it actually kept Danny home from work (which of course it doesn't) or if it gave us a "snow day" from school, which of course it doesn't. One of the few disadvantages of homeschooling. So... we are looking forward to spring!

Everyday Happenings

During lunch break today Ryan and Jacob snuck out to have a quick airsoft battle. Hannah, my oh-so-talented and sneaky photographer manages to get the best shots of the boys without them ever knowing.

Now this IS a daily happening! Every time you turn around there's Hannah holding one of her three bunnies...

And this is ALSO a DAILY happening. This is a picture of Jacob "doing his math" while I was outside. Hannah snuck out and took a picture through the window of Jacob actually lying down on the bench at the kitchen table... AVOIDING his math rather than doing it!

That time of year again to tap the maple trees for sap! Not a drop so far...

More bunny love

And we can't forget the daily happening of old Ginger, lying around in the yard, looking oh so sweet. Hannah says she looks depressed, but can dogs get depressed?? Who knows.

Florida Trip

Two days after Christmas the Dustin family took a LONG (and I do mean long) drive down to Florida for two weeks. It was the longest time off Danny has ever had - and it was indeed a wonderful time. Though we had freezing weather, and had to buy hats, gloves and scarves to go to Disney, we still had a great time away from the routine of everyday life.

We stayed part of the time at Danny's parents home - and our first night there Jacob had a little visitor peeking in at him as he played Nintendo! He came back each night we were there, along with wild turkeys, bulls, and lizzards (ugh).

Danny's parents have a house right on this beautiful canal.

On New Year's Eve we went to a special show at Medieval Times which included a midnight toast and balloon drop! It was really so much fun!

Matt and Sherry looking oh so happy to greet the New Year!

Hannah Banana catching some down time on her DS...

Ryan enjoying his funnel cake. I have to admit that we ALL enjoyed funnel cakes at Epcot! We were so hungry we just devoured them right there in front of Japan! Japan turned out to be everybody's favorite country - full of unique souvenirs and shows, etc.

Yep - Ryan talked Hannah into the Mad Tea Cup!!

Jacob and Matt's favorite - the Aerosmith roller coaster!!

Stunt show we saw at Hollywood Studios - incredible shot Hannah got...

More of the unique wildlife in Florida

Okay - there is two things wrong with this picture. First, we are at Disney and my boys are not smiling at all! (shame on them for not wanting to let me take their picture) and second, they are all wearing HATS AND GLOVES!! This trip was just so cold that it really didn't feel like we were in Florida... But it was certainly fun nonetheless. We will remember this trip - just for different reasons!!! haha

Winter and Christmas 2009

The winter storm we received a week before Christmas...

Danny just HAD to take this shot to compare the difference between his battle with the snow vs. Matt's battle with the snow... we can see who won and who was utterly defeated!!

This year we were blessed with a white Christmas. A VERY white Christmas. The weekend before Christmas we were hit with over 22 inches of beautiful snow... it made decorating the house for Christmas really memorable and festive!

Danny had to go out and use the snowblower every few hours just to be able to keep up with the falling snow. Each time before he finished there was already an inch or two on top of what he just plowed!

Could the house look any cozier??

The kids made the most beautiful gingerbread houses this year.

Ryan outside with our faithful dog Ginger...

Danny showing Ryan where to shovel

And Ryan working so hard and diligently at shoveling... he is ALWAYS willing to pitch in and help with whatever, and he is never afraid of hard work. Proud of you Ryan!!

Hannah's 12th Birthday

A couple weeks ago (yes I am behind) we celebrated Hannah's 12th birthday! She invited a couple of friends over and we went down to an art studio where they all made a beautiful glass piece - called "glass fusion" - it was so much fun. This picture shows what a beautiful young lady Hannah is becoming... Danny and I are so proud of the sweet, generous, modest, kind, humorous, compassionate girl she is. She is a young lady with many talents, but she remains humble and sweet to the very heart...

Here she is working on her glass piece

This is a piece that Jacob did

Ryan's work of art

And this is Hannah's - she made a very cute dolphin! The finished pieces turned out absolutely beautiful after fusion...

Hannah with her friends Cassidy, Isabella and Abigail

After the art studio we went to a Japanese Steakhouse for dinner - what fun that was! A great fuss was made over Hannah, embarassing her to death...

The WHOLE family was there - even our "often missing" college student and his girlfriend Sherry!!

I think Hannah had a great time!

This is Hannah's birthday cake - SHE made it with fondant, and spent literally hours creating a gumpaste shape for each person at her party. One of the girls broke her foot before the event, so there is even a pair of crutches on the cake!

On the day of Hannah's actual birthday she decided to try ice skating. Ryan was injured so Jacob (ever so faithful and sweet) went skating with her! It was sooo cute and sweet - they hadn't been skating for a while, and I watched at the edge of the rink, hoping to get a picture of them as they came around the circle. I waited, and waited, and waited. They NEVER made it around the circle! Both of them were so funny - they just couldn't do it! I know that my brother with his 9 hockey-playing star children would absolutely laugh at us - but hey, skating is not our thing!

She may not have skated but ain't she a cute, stylish skater???

Happy Birthday to my darling sweet daughter! You are God's gift to me in so many ways and I am sooooooo grateful for you and your wonderful, happy, outgoing personality!! God bless you in the year to come sweetie!!