Groovy Icicles

Handyman update

Washing machine fixed...but alas, not without calling in the real handyman (the Maytag service guy). We did manage to solve part of the problem on our own, and we cleaned our machine, such that it now works and sparkles. It is a joy to admire...a minor (if not complete) victory for us and for our marriage :-)

How would you like to be the guy that has to cut down trees when its 9 degress outside?? Brrr.

Before:

During: 

After:

Our neighbor asked us if we would be willing to part with our tree, that mostly hangs over his yard anyway (and even more so b/c the power company keeps trimming it so all the weight is on his side). Given we will someday figure out a new landscaping plan for the whole yard anyway, we agreed he could pay to cut the tree down. And thus, on one of our coldest days of the winter, these poor folks show up to cut down the tree. I was freezing just looking out the window at them. Plus they had to shovel the whole back of our driveway to get their tractor / tree eating machine closer to the back (since we only shoveled to the front door)...bet they didn't bargain on that...although maybe it warmed them up. 

Snow, beautiful snow!

It's been snowing here for about 30+ hours...not sure exactly how much we've gotten thus far, but I'm guessing 15-20". Roads are a mess but the air is clean again and its so beautiful. Here are some shots I took this evening.

Portrait

Here's a shot from the birthday party we went to this afternoon - uncooperative little one would only stand backwards - great shot of her birthday favor frisbee! (that's her new sweater from the back)

What's that? A bird...a plane...a handyman?

Will you look at that? Some of you may have heard me talking about all the wonderful qualities my husband possesses (see previous post, for example), but you've probably never heard 'handyman' among them...in fact, I know we've talked about that specific quality being missing and that we love him despite that. GP B, are you laughing? Be careful, I think I know where this deficiency came from...

Anyhow, lo and behold, we are fixing our washing machine. Lovely marital bonding and I just had to take this picture of a rare moment in our household. Now, don't get too excited - the machine is not fixed yet, but it will be.

Happy New Year!

Well, a Happy New Year to everyone! It was a very tame New Years at our house this year - in fact, by 8:30 PM on New Year's Eve, we were all down for the night, reading in separate rooms. I came down with strep throat and spent 4 days quarantined in bed. The mister was a champ and took care of AKP all weekend.

I have no idea what they actually did or where they went but I heard peals of laughter come up from the living room on more than one occasion, observed that he got her to sleep (to sleep, yes!) at 7:15 one night, and from time to time when she thought he wasn't looking, my little girl poked her head into my room to say hi, furtively looking over her shoulder to make sure he wasn't coming up the stairs to shoo her away from the sick room. She popped in to announce she was coming upstairs to get her PJs. One time, she closed the door quietly saying 'shhh, get some rest Mama. Daddy and I are going to have dinner now.' Another time, with much commotion outside the door, she managed so push a Polly Pockets doll under the door for me, and yet later she surreptitiously delivered a drawing of a bird under the door.

Despite my misery, it was indeed a good New Year. I was on the mend from a sickness I knew would be temporary, and I have a husband who is a most incredible father and a sweet sweet girl that is ours. A wish to all for a year of good health, peals of laughter, and a little sweetness.

Gingerbread spirit

Photo credit and gracious host: Emily Coonrod

Santa was here!

It's reading time

Stop pulling my leg Grandma!

I can't turn around - he might lick my head!

Decorating

Happy Hanukah!

Happy Thanksgiving

We hosted 21 people for Thanksgiving dinner and were lucky enough to have the whole Frank family in town. Overall, the dinner went well and the weekend was great fun. Unfortunately, I didn't take out my camera once...oops. So here's an assortment of pictures I received from others of a few random moments from the weekend. 

Thanksgiving continues to be one of my favorite holidays - family, food and gratitude. What more do you need? We're thankful to all of you for being part of our lives. I hope you continue enjoying the pictures and I promise to take my camera out a little more frequently in the coming year. 

Styling Advice

On our way to school this AM:

 

AKP: "Mama, your hair looks bad."

 

Me: "It does? I tried to brush it this morning to make it look presentable."

 

AKP: "Well, you didn't do a very good job. It's messy and it looks like flat poop."

 

Nothing like honesty :-)

It snowed here for 3 days straight!

Wheeee!

Elections

Setting: Election Day morning, hanging out in bed:

Mom: Today's a very special day.

AKP: Why?

Mom: Today everyone in the whole country is going to vote. And after they count all the votes, we'll know who is going to be the next President of the United States.

AKP: Is it going to be us?

V.I.P.

AKP gets to be the class VIP one day next week. She filled out this sheet in advance. Not sure if you can see it all but if you need some help translating what's there, let us know...for example, all those yellow squiggles in the bottom right by 'favorite food' are....yes, mac and cheese. 

 

It might be worth noting that in the 'My Family' section, from left to right (and also largest to smallest), that is AKP, Mommy, Daddy. All three have long curly hair and dresses but Daddy doesn't have earrings :-)

Bear Colorwash

Does this bear look a little different this morning? 

We're both in Pink

Lovely weekend here (despite the lack of photos). Sunny and in the 60s (for November!). A play, music class, the Aviary, Children's Discovery Museum and the Museum of Natural History with our new neighbors, among other things. A pretty good weekend for AKP we think. 

Trick or Treat!

Here's our little trick or treaters - Lila the ghost fairy, Oliver the car, and Amara the rainbow!

Halloween at School - Parade and Play

A Preview of Halloween at our House

A little blurry but thought I'd post my Halloween creations...what I couldn't capture was how amazing they look under a full moon. Gorgeous!

And this one was drawn for Great Grandma Terry (Gigi). It's coming your way in the mail, but I loved it so much I had to take a picture before it left. And so here it is for others to enjoy as well :-)

Finally, Beth and I went to a grown-up Halloween party this weekend and pulled out our go-to costumes, something to pass as dressed up but requiring little time and no money :-) Beth's is much more creative and I love the mummy!

Playgroup...a moment of calm

To Be or Not to Be...That is the Question

The best part about the Shakespeare Festival for AKP was the accompanying pumpkin festival in Cedar City. Lots of tables with games and prizes for the kiddos. Here she's seeking the perfect pumpkin from the pumpkin patch to paint! (and decorating a mean cookie)

Adults enjoyed Hamlet and Stones in His Pockets, both excellent. 

What're you looking at?

Mama giraffe giving us the stink-eye as we watched the new baby giraffe (12-days old) at the zoo today. A nice diversion during a stay-at-home 'sick' day with an ear infection...on the mend already though!

And just a little further up the road...

Our friend Beth went hiking with some friends on Satuday while AKP and I did the Farm Tour (and did I mention we saw a bear?! Right in the center of town...). Anyway, farther along you can see she ran into some beautiful Colorado aspen colors...gorgeous! Photo Credits: Beth Amiott