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?

First Major Snow!

This winter has been SO weird. Until this weekend, we've only had 3 snow storms with measurable snow. This is the only storm that was actually really good. As much as a non-winter person I am - I really am missing the snow this year.

This started with rain and ice in the morning. LMS had a basketball game in Underwood and when we came out, the snow had begun. It took over an hour to get home, but the girls were SO excited to  finally get their new sleds out and use them.

JrMsS snowboarding.

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 :)

The week of ups and downs

This has been the week of ups and downs. I'm not really sure why, but it has.

Monday we finally broke the Ice Princess (Mr. S's ex) and she agreed to let him have part of his weekend, to take them to his mom's Christmas and to let him have the boys Dec. 27-30. So at least we won't be going to court of that (at least not for now). He agreed to only having to pay for half of JrMrS's instrument (she didn't make us pay for the whole thing like we offered), so it was REALLY great news. But, I said it's the week of ups and downs...

About an hour after we got that news, my mom sent me an email about my dad's most recent dr visit. I have complained and complained about my last two months of being sick and hurt, but this is a man that has Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, went through heart bypass surgery, had toes amputated, thyroid surgery, etc, in other words he's been very sick and very hurt for a lot longer than I was/am. He has more challenges ahead unfortunately...he was told he only has about 25% functionality of his kidneys. He's going to have to start making even more life changes to his health and will have dialysis in the future. My dad has always been there for me, even when I've done really bad and awful things. He's my biggest cheerleader and I honestly don't know what I'd do without him. There's still a lot of tests to be done, but it was not good news.

Tuesday Jr. Ms S and Jr Mr S had their holiday concert. I just can't believe how much they've grown up.

Yes - the guy in front of me is wearing a "do" rag ;P

Missing my Christmas Spirit

I'm not really sure what it is, but I just cannot find it this year. Is it the lack of time? The lack of gift ideas for my friends and family? Getting over being sick/hurt? All of the ex crap? Just stress from work, kids, life? I'm not really sure.

We have been REALLY busy, we are constantly running from one thing to the next. Last night the stars aligned and Mr. S and I FINALLY got to have a date night. Our last one was so long ago, I can't even remember. Between kids things, working, etc, we just haven't had time (and probably won't again for a while). It's really sad...when did life become this hectic whirlwind? We had a nice night, regardless of the frightful drive home and back in the blizzard, a nice dinner and I got to watch HP7 - I'm such a Pot-head.

I know everyone is trying to get through this difficult economy and a lot of people aren't in the best place, but I can't remember the last time I've had such a depressing Christmas. I have no ideas for my husband, my kids, my family. I have three people done out of my list and that it! It's the middle of December and I'm no where close to getting everything done. No one will give me ideas either and I think that's what makes it the hardest. I have too much on my plate right now to be super-creative. I'm sorry...so PLEASE give me ideas!!

Luckly, I am getting better health-wise. My muscle is almost healed (part of it is still tight and sticking out - yuck!) and my cough is just an infrequent annoyance now. I've met my sick quota for the year, right? Next time I promise to listen to everyone - I'm playing the baby and getting the rest I need.

Blogging in a blizzard

So I was going to write today about the action this last week, but I have "maybe" a more exciting topic.
As I've said before, mr.s and I seriously need some time together. Well, since his ex is being the most craziest person in the world and we don't have the boys as planned, my sister happened to be off so we have a sitter for the girls, I didn't have to work the second job tonight and we had a free date night in gift cards to use - we chose to make it a romantic night. Well until the blizzard of 2010 hit (hear me mother nature? We don't get more!)
All day I stressed about the snow and driving in whiteouts all day (seriously its so bad the interstate is closed). Mr s insists we'll be fine as long as I'm not having a panic attack every 2 seconds.
So I'm blogging in a blizzard, keeping my eyes off the road, and praying for the freaking wind to stop.
How desparate have you ever been for a date?

So long, farewell

Not to all of you of course, but to my wonderful friend named....

SPRING/SUMMER/FALL

She is such a wonderful friend. She allows me to wear my flip flops and other cute high heels. I love my little summer skirts and sundresses. The days are longer. I get somewhat of a tan. I don't have to cook as much since Mr. S LOVES to grill. But sadly, she left this week with no hope of return for another 6-7 months :(

This week we not only had to experience the dreaded time change - (I hate that - why can't everyone be like AZ and leave time alone?) - but OLD MAN WINTER moved into the area - he's so cruel.

Thursday morning, I had to drive to work in this...

I really probably shouldn't be taking pictures while speeding down the Interstate at 75+mph in thick fog - huh?

Snowday!

I've never taken a snow day before, so actually taking one yesterday was a huge thing for me.  Growing up in AZ you don't get these, along with no tornado drills and many other things my kids do living in the midwest.  Although it wasn't horrible first thing in the morning, it was only going to get worse through the day.
Mr. S went out deer hunting, so the girls and I had a fun snow day together.  We got up, ate breakfast and watched all the weather reports.  After breakfast the girls suited up and decided to play outside.  Not me, I nested into the couch next to the fireplace with my laptop and something warm to drink.  They had a wonderful time outside, I was totally surprised that they stayed out for over 3 and a half hours!  I kept asking them if they wanted to come in, but they were having a ball make a snow fort and sledding down our hills. 

(Don't ask me what the beach umbrella was for - silly girls)

(Silly JrMsS was running around without her hat)

I finally bribed them in with hot chocolate and soup.  We hung out and watched movies together in the afternoon and made a yummy dinner for when Mr. S got home. 

It was a good day.  I can't wait for the next one (I should have taken today too since we're still under a blizzard warning, but I made Mr. S drive me in since our internet at home is down right now - I can only take one day of being cut off from the world.)
What's your favorite snow day activity?