Catching up...again

We've been super busy the last month +, there really has been NO TIME for blogging. But we're in a lull now with sports and activities (for us - I'm sure many people would still think our schedule is insane), so I thought I'd spend the time catching everyone up.

1. We finished up basketball for the girls yesterday with our final tournament
2. We finished wrestling for the boys last weekend with two trips to State Championship Wrestling
3. We celebrated Valentines and did a couple of projects.
4. and we celebrated my birthday this week :P

We also have a had a few other odds and ends over the last month.

• Mr S FINALLY finished his heavy traveling for work. He was gone most of January and February on various projects and conferences. I'm SO glad to have him back. It's really tough to not have him here. While he was gone, I did a few fun things with the kids (at least when the boys were around - they stayed with their mom a lot when Mr S is gone).

We did Movie Night a few times...

We also had "make your own pizzas" dinner...

(bad picture, but the only one I have all of them in)

• Jr. Ms S now has contacts! She's going up so fast into such a pretty young lady.

So cute :)

• We've only had two storms this winter that warranted pulling out the snow blower. Its been such a WEIRD winter and now we're starting off a pretty violent spring (1st ever recorded tornado in NE in February). One of Mr S's trips required him to come home in a bad blizzard. I was upset that he drove all night and pushed it to get home in bad weather, but he was right in that if he hadn't, the interstate would have shut down on him and he would have been stuck.

(You notice how ALL of these are taken inside - it was ICY!)

The snow ended early this day and Mr S's grandfather came up and cleared our road with his tractor so we could get out and go for dinner at Fernando's - unfortunately...the road was still too snowy (and icy) that we couldn't make it back up the hill. We ended up walking (which I guess is good for us since we had a HUGE YUMMY dinner to burn off)

• My sister's job: Sadly, my sister's old company was morons and decided to lay her off (stupid!). The good thing is that my company is AWESOME and she has now been hired in another department there. So, although we're quite separated, we still are close enough to have lunch every once in a while, she has much better benefits, and now she has a reasonable schedule that allows her to actually do stuff in the daylight hours.

What have you been up to the last month?

A Very Merry Christmas

The Snowflake family had a nice Christmas, how about you?

Celebrating at Mr S's mom's house. Little cousin was SO cute - he had to eat JUST LIKE the big kids.

Opening presents...

Update #4 - Great Grandma

The low point of the summer I guess is my great grandmother passing away. She was almost 89 years old!

Such a cute lady!

She was a really special lady and had so many great stories. She was a fabulous organ and accordian player - I know, sounds dorky, but she was great.

 

Sadly, this is our last 5 generations picture. I'm so, SO glad I went out in July so we could see her one last time. She even kept saying she was going to go strong until the Lord took her, I guess He finally felt she had fought the good fight and brought her home to Him.

(Song I suggested and was played at the funeral)

She will be missed, but we all know she is home.

Update #1 - Cali Vacation

The last time I was in California, LMS was 2 1/2 months old! Crazy that we went back almost exactly 8 years later. I can't believe it's been 8 years since I've seen my extended family and it was the first time I meet my aunt and cousin. It's been 4 years since I've seen my grandma, and that was the occasion we went out for this time - her 80th b-day! Longevity must run on my moms side, because another major highlight of our trip was going to see my great grandma. Unfourtunately because the boys mom "just couldn't go so long with out them", Mr S and the boys stayed in IA. He was also annoyed that we took such a long trip, but since this was my first trip since our honeymoon and the fact that I probably wouldn't be out to CA for another 8 years (I hope not), I decided to make the most of it. The girls and I had a great trip and it was good to have the mommy/daughter time.

Day 1: Travel - Traveling so far always sucks just because it seems like 1 whole day of your trip is traveling. It wasn't too bad though and we made it to San Francisco about lunch time (for us - it was still breakfast out there). Once we found my sister and got the rental car, we headed to Woodland where my grandmother lives. For the most part, we just hung out and visited, took the girls to the pool, took a walk, etc.

Day 2: Great Grandma and the Mountains - In the morning we went to visit my great grandma. She is (was) such an interesting lady. She played the organ and the accordian for the girls, we looked at pictures and chatted. We were suppossed to go to lunch, but my grandma said she must have forgotten because she fed us ice cream and cookies at about 10:30 in the morning. :)

There are SO many pictures of me and my sister in the exact same spot.

5 generations of beautiful women

The hat LMS "aquired" at my great grandma's house

I'm an Aunt again!

Welcome baby Aden!

I became an aunt again at 2021 EST yesterday - 8:21 PM for those not familiar with military time :) He's a BIG boy too: 8 lbs 8 oz! My oldest daughter was 8 lbs 4 oz, so close. I'll post pictures when I get them emailed to me (my "fancy" phone doesn't let me save text pics to my SD card - so much for "fancy", right Mr. S?)
How many times have you become an aunt?

Catching up

It's amazing how much we rely on the electronics around us (I know I'd be LOST without my Android now). New Years Day our router decided to crap out on us and it took us several calls with the internet company, a new router, and several more calls with the internet provider to finally get going again. So now that we're back in business and I have a free evening, here's what the Snowflakes have been up to the last couple of weeks:

My parents had to go back to AZ :( It was nice to have them around - I feel bad that we hardly did anything, mostly because I felt so crappy most of the time. We did get to have a nice dinner their last night here.

Playing with the panoramic again :)

A snowy Snowflake Christmas

We've had a very busy few days around the Snowflake house over the long weekend.

Our Christmas celebration technically began on Wednesday night, Mr. S and the girls and I went out for a quiet dinner and I got my x-mas present from him - a new digital camera!! Yeah more (better) pictures!!!

Thursday I was off, but spent most of the day cleaning and wrapping a MILLION gifts - okay, not that many, but enough to have to run into town for tape!

If it was up to Mr. S, this is how everyone would get their gifts..

Thursday evening, right as the snow was beginning, my parents arrived safe and sound. Yay!

Friday morning, Mr. S went and got the boys, my mom and I started baking/cooking, and the kids played in the snow...

 Playing with the Panoramic setting...

Thank you Veterans

To all Veterans - THANK YOU!
Thank you for your service, but most of all for your loyalty to this country and its people.
To my little brother,
Thank you for being a good servant to your country. You are a wonderful man (I can't believe I'm calling you that - you'll always be that little kid trying to play with the "gir-illas"). You are such a wonderful provider and role model for your family and your (soon to be 2) sons.

Thank you!

Big Birthday Weekend

The weekend of the 14th was a big weekend for us, both Mr. S and the Twin Snowflakes celebrate their birthdays that day, so we (I) had a lot to get ready for.
Friday evening while Mr. S was at football practice with Jr.Mr.S, TS2 and I did a WHOLE LOT of cooking!  In addition to party cooking, I also made the twins their b-day dinner so Mr. S could chose what he wanted on their actual birthday this year (TS2 chose last year).  Since TS1 LOVES shrimp pasta - that's what I made for them and even though I made up my own recipe (I forgot all of the ingredients for the recipe I have), it went over REALLY well (almost better than the real recipe).

What constitutes a bad week (and a half)?

It may not have been the worst week and a half ever in my life, but when you look back at all that you’ve been through, it just adds up.

Let’s start with July 7th (a week and a half ago). Mr. S’s grandmother passed away after battling cancer for only about 3 months. It came on hard and fast and although she’s in a better place and no longer in pain, it’s still hard for Mr. S’s mom and family. He’s been pretty estranged from that side of the family for years, so the memorial last Saturday was the first time a lot of his family had met LMS (the boys were at a wrestling camp and Jr.Ms.S was at her swimming district meet – Mr. S thought it was more important for them to do that). From the stories I heard about her, she will be a very missed woman. And now today we found out that Mr.S’s grandfather isn’t doing very well now – I guess after 65+ years – you really can’t do without the other.

(grandparents are in the center sitting down)

On July 8th, I took flowers and card to my sister for her birthday. As I was walking into the office building I missed one TINY little stair right before the door (how did I make it up the freaking 20 large ones before that?) and fell hitting my knees SUPER hard, the flowers went FLYING, and I had to walk into the building with blood running down my knees. Ugh, at least HOPEFULLY no one saw me do it – what a klutz I am. The bad thing is that my knees are STILL bruised and now I’m suffering a lot of pain in one when I stand too long (hopefully I didn’t tear something in my knee like someone suggested). (by the way sissy - sorry I didn't do a birthday blog post - I'm so bad and behind - I'm sorry).

Happy Birthday Sissy!!

Last Sunday Mr. S and I fought about PB sandwiches - yeah - that was the stupidest fight of the century.

Happy Independance Day

I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July!  I'm so thankful to live in a country with the freedoms I have and most of all I'm thankful for those people that protect my freedoms.

Especially my little brother, part of the newest Navy Class...

May 2010 - Swearing in

June 2010 - Graduation from Navy Bootcamp

Reunited with his family

So, So proud of you little brother! Now when can I come to S. Carolina?

Happy 4th!

Quick Update

Sorry I've been MIA for the past couple of months.  I'm really looking forward to life slowing down soon - at least for a little while.  Here's our week:

1) We had two swim meets this week. JrMsS is doing a lot better.  We've also found a way to "bribe" her to do better.  When she was hungry before one of her heats, Mr. S told her she could have a cheeseburger if she came in 3rd or better.  That kid got out there and swam the most perfect breast stroke I've ever seen and got 2nd place!  Her coach was laughing SO HARD when she did that (she knew about our deal with her and of course she was SUPER proud of her too).  It's amazing what a cheeseburger can motivate.

2) Speaking of cheeseburgers, do you know how many cheeseburgers and tacos it takes to feed all of my kids at swim meets?  12 cheeseburgers and 18 tacos!! (Seriously we don't eat fast food this often on a normal basis)

3) If you haven't already read my other post, I had my first solo project this week.  It's the first new project our section has gotten since I started and my boss let me go loose on it.  The bad this was I only had about a day to design the website and then I had MAJOR problems with the hosting company.  It all worked out in the end, but I was SO emotionally spent and SO exhausted Wednesday - instead of going to the other job, I called in, picked up chinese and the girls, opened a bottle of wine and had movie night.  I was A LOT better then next day.

4) Speaking of the other job, I did go in last night for a whole whooping THREE tables.  Ugh - at least they all tipped pretty well and I was home by 7 pm.

5) Thursday night after the swim meet we went over to Mr. S's aunts house and celebrated his grandfather's birthday with cake, ice cream and fireworks.  We had a lot of fun Aunt R and happy birthday grandpa!

6) Since it had been such a long week, we had a super late night Thursday night and I didn't see the point of driving all the way into work when so many people would be out or leaving super early, I decided not to go into work.  We slept in (the kids were kind of freaking out being out of the norm and all), I worked remotely on my couch, I even took a nap yesterday afternoon.  It was a good day.

7) Yesterday was my Nana's birthday, I wish I would have been more on the ball and sent you something other than just an amazon card like usual, but hopefully you find something you really want.  I hope you had a really wonderful day!

8) Speaking of work, I won another department award.  I don't know for what yet, but I got an email yesterday asking me which prize I wanted: Movie tickets, Round of Golf, Omaha Steaks, or money to Large Engineering Company store.  Hmm....so hard to choose....

9) I guess I haven't updated you on our newest future trip to the ER device Mr. S has put up.  For SOME reason, he has it in his head that the kids need a climbing rope for building muscles.  He picked up rope and a 2x4 on Saturday and wanted to put it at the top of our garage!  Ugh! I talked him out of destroying the siding and facia, as well as the danger of the kids climbing that high over the concrete and ended up talking him into a lower spot under the deck.  Of course as soon as Jr.Mr.S got here Sunday, he just HAD to eventually make it to the top, so Mr. S is CONVINCED we need a higher one.  Now he has another one tied to a beam inside the garage, but I know it's only going to be days and I'll have to fight him off destroying the house again.  Either that or the kids will continue to use it as a rope swing like they do behind his back and as they launch themselves from the side of the house down to the patio, we'll have an ER visit.  Seriously?  How long is a climbing rope going to be a "fun" thing before they completely ignore it?  TS2 is already asking for a tire to be attached so they can swing instead.  Guess we'll see who's right...we all know it's going to be me, right?

That's our week pretty much - just another BUSY, work-filled, running all over Iowa week.  At least we have the long weekend ahead.

Happy 4th of July!!

A Quick 10...

What a week...here's the high-level events that have taken place:

1. Swim team is going strong now.  I think Jr.Ms.S really loves it.  The only bad side I see is that it's SO much like wrestling meets!  Ugh!  At least we're out enjoying the nice weather, I guess, and if you sit close enough - you can get cooler from the water every once in a while.

2.What a nice, relaxing day we had on Sunday.  Because of the rainy weather we got out of going to baseball games.  We just took it easy all day, napped, watched movies - totally unlike our normal schedule.  It was great.

3. Speaking of baseball, Jr.Mr.S's team got 1st place in the tournament last weekend and 3rd in the tournament this week.  His season is over now (YAY!) - great job guys!

4. LMS had her last softball game this week (double YAY!).  She did so great even with the lack of practices and short season.  I'm looking forward to next year when they'll play more serious games and hopefully they give them more instruction.  On Wednesday night she had THREE great hits and played outfield very well.

I'm warning you - don't read if you're not ready for the rollercoaster...

If I had one word to describe the last week (and the week to come), it would be CHAOS - pure chaos. It’s been SO busy and pulled a MILLION different directions this last week. To sum it all up is just going to require a brain dump. Stop reading if not interested…

Last Saturday, Mr. S’s cousin got married (Congratulations B & J!!!) and Mr. S and I co-hosted the wedding. They had a really beautiful wedding and for as many people as they were expecting (over 400), they pulled off a really nice reception. The only thing that kind of sucked was that Mr. S and I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time together at our first wedding as a married couple and getting him to come out of the bar (that was his job) to dance with me was a chore. My job was cutting cake. I’m a horrible cake cutter and trying to dismantle a four tier cake and grooms cake and portion them out to 400 people just didn’t work out very well (sorry Aunt R). Once the cake was all gone – I got to try wine slushies – wait – wine slushy doesn’t exist – trust me. After the cake was all gone, I decided to go to the bar and hang out with Mr. S since he wasn’t going to come out (the man was serious about his job). I found a couple of frozen bottles of wine in the fridge, so we pulled them out to unthaw. Well, the WINE wasn’t frozen, the juice was and since I’m a sucker for slushy drinks, I started pouring it for myself. Note to all of you: WINE DOES NOT FREEZE!! Basically I drank a bottle of alcohol (yeah ‘cause I couldn't stop with the first half a bottle and once I got down to the juice melting, I switched to the other). Bad, bad choice. Anyway, it was a late night and after helping clean up, Mr. S, the girls and I didn’t get home until about 1 am (I'm old - staying up until 11 is a CraZy night).

Sunday was a “recovery” day. Although at least I didn’t have a wine hang-over (those are much worse to recover from – at least in my experience). Geez.. Mr. S tried out his new MONSTER of a grill. I spoiled him last week by buying him a grill that is about as big a grill as I’ve ever seen. It has a cook top, a gas grill, a charcoal grill, AND a smoker. Tell me I don’t love my husband. He was like a kid last week trying to figure out his inaugural meal on it, he settled on grilled potato salad and some kind of fancy strip steaks (sorry I forgot the name – the recipe is on the Williams Sonoma website though).

Three Day Weekend

Three day weekends are great – especially now that for the last 6 weeks I’ve only had one day weekends. It hasn’t been as nice as I thought though, when I’ve actually been off – Mr. S has been working – and that sucks.

Saturday started off with a baseball game for Jr. Mr. S. Mr. S has started a second job now – which I hate, but if he feels like he needs to do it – I’ll support it. He had to leave before the game was over to go and do some training. The nice thing was that it was a day off for my sister and she was able to come up and hang out.

Feliz Cumpleanos Mama and Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Today is my mom's birthday.  I hope she has a great day!

Happy Birthday Mama!

In addition to it being my mom's birthday - it's also Cinco de Mayo.  Cinco de mayo is my favorite holiday (sort of) after Christmas.  Mostly for the food aspect of it, but oh...the food is SO good :)

What "off" holidays do you enjoy?

Bon Voyage Little Brother!

Today my brother leaves my parents, his wife and his baby son to enlist in the Navy.  I'm SO proud of him. 

Him with his new haircut. 

Good luck and we can't wait to see you out of bootcamp!

Happy Birthday Papa!

Today is my dad's birthday! I hope he has a great day and I love him!

Happy Birthday Pops!

Flurry of a Weekend

We had another busy weekend around the Snowflake house.

After the frustrating day on Friday, we at least got to relax at home that evening. Mr. S brought home dinner (love that I didn’t have to cook) and we spent the evening relaxing and watching Up in the Air (very good movie) and the kids hung out and watched Star Wars downstairs.

Welcome Baby Tristan!

Happy Birth Day baby boy!

I'm sure I'm just a little bit biased, but isn't he so cute?!