Welcome Winter!

I'm not actually welcoming the cold weather, gusting winds, and snow pellets that peg you in the eye, but I did get a snow day to spend at home today. I had most of my big chores done this weekend, so Maddie and I have been taking it easy today, trying to stay warm.

Yesterday, Stephen took Maddie out to experience her first snow. She has seen it before and we've even had a little this year, but she's never actually gotten to play and get herself good and covered in the cold stuff. We got her bundled up in her snow bibs and hat, and she immediately started going nuts. She was running around, jumping on her trampoline, and yelling 'side, side'. Even though it snowed all day, we really don't have much snow to speak of. I can actually still see the grass today. The winds were so strong that it all blew into drifts and right onto the road. Anyway, Maddie and Daddy had fun. Mom took a few pictures and got right back inside. I'm not much of a winter person, especially if it involves my feet getting wet.

'Side, Side, Side'

Cheese!

Daddy throws the first snow.

This is my favorite picture of the day. Maddie just looked at him like he was crazy. He tried to get her to lay down and try, but she was more interested in sweeping the snow off the stairs.

Before the weather got too bad, we took Maddie to ride The Little Toot in Flora on Friday. It is a little steam engine that goes around the park through their light display. We had planned on seeing Santa, but the line was too long. Since Maddie had no idea who was sitting in the little house, we bypassed Santa this year and took her to pet Linda, the horse giving carriage rides. We didn't take a ride, but Maddie did get to pet her nose. The pictures don't show how much fun she had, but she really did enjoy the ride.

She looks terrified, but she really was mesmerized.

Nanny Julie taking her to see Linda.....neigh!

Two random shots:

30 weeks....just 10 to go! I had an appointment on Friday, and everything looks perfect. After the last few (crazy) weeks at work, I jokingly told Steve I was hoping for bed rest, but we are thankful that Charlie is healthy. Pray that the next 10 weeks go quickly, because I'm about to lose my mind. Stephen probably needs prayers, too, because he has to put up with me! However, he must not mind too much, because he is still talking about baby #3.

This is my current pride and joy...a new entertainment center! We have lived together for 6 years. I have wanted a REAL entertainment center for 5.5 of those. We have used his mini cart from his apartment, his parents' old coffee table, and most recently the dining room buffet.