Zoe's Snow Pics December 2009

Kili came over yesterday and took some pics of Zoe in the snow... I believe Cole is becoming more and more like his father everyday because we couldn't get him to go out and have pics taken too. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Dad and Daughter's Special Time Together

Zoe always chooses to have Dad do her nails (both feet and hands)... but today they decided to also do makeup. I love to sneak in and take pics during this special time... I have to say that today Zoe was all fixed up with no where to go... they even put on the body glitter! If anything ever happens to me.... please do not let Todd do my makeup!

Breakfast with Santa

The kids and I had the chance to have breakfast with Santa this morning at the fire station. The kids wait for this day all year and really enjoy themselves... because we can play fun games after we eat! This is also the first year that Zoe has sat on Santa's lap... she always sits on Mrs. Claus' lap and never ventures over to see Santa. She thought it was very funny when she told Santa that she wanted an iPod... and Santa said that loves to groove to music with the elves!

Roscoe playing in the snow

These pics don't really show him wandering off into the drifts, but he was trying to dig a walnut out of the snow... You can also see that he has grown since we got him... from 6lbs to 24lbs!

More Snow Pics

See how high the snow is piled on our cement pillar and railing?? It really shows how much snow is really out there!

You can hardly see our sandbox around the bottom of the tree!

Snow Storm

We had a snow day yesterday... 15" within 24 hours and I am not even sure it took the whole 24 hours to dump on us as it might have been closer to 18 hours. Todd was plowing early in the morning and the blade broke, so he decided to try to make it to work and get the blade fixed. After he fought the roads out of Lena.... it was clear sailing as Hwy 20 was completely clear. He did make it back about 2 hours later just to spend the next 5 hours plowing some more. I didn't have any daycare kids, so I also enjoyed the snow day! The kids spent the whole day outside playing in the snow and didn't mind the cold one bit! They had a snowball fight with the neighbor kids and then enjoyed some time sliding down the huge mounds of snow.

Roscoe loves the snow also... you know it is bad when he wakes up at 2:30 in the morning during a blizzard and wants to go out... only to find out that we spent 15 min. outside playing in the snow and he didn't even do any of his "duties". He will jump in any amount of snow even if he is buried... Todd had to rescue him once because he couldn't get out. We did shovel him paths through the snow (just like we used to with Magic), but he doesn't use them very often... he would rather submerge himself into the snow every time! I am trying to take pics today when he goes out and will post... as it is just so darn cute to see a puppy in the snow!

Winter is here... We woke up this morning to -3 degrees! Gotta love this weather!

I See You...

The kids were out playing last Sunday and I was in the house trying to clean. I turned around and this is what I saw at the window... she was having a lot of fun watching me and making goofy hand gestures.

What have we been up to?

Well we have been very busy the last few weeks especially preparing for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our home with the whole Bardell family... and it is always great to see and visit with everyone. Todd has been working a lot of hours at work... while I have been Christmas shopping and am glad to say that I am done with the exception of stocking stuffers!

Zoe is officially a dance dropout! We are really unsure as to why she didn't enjoy dance anymore, but she decided that she did not want to continue... She had wonderful timing as I did not have to pay for the costume for the recital. Zoe is enjoying school... I love that she is so enthusiastic about going! Zoe's current ambition is that she wants to become a Girl Scout Daisy... so as any loving mother would do... I have volunteered to be the group leader, but am in need of a co-leader. So if any of you know of someone that would be willing to help... it doesn't really take that much at this age group?!?!

Cole just started tutoring at Sylvan Learning Center this week. He really seems to enjoy himself and we are enthusiastic along with him that he will do wonderfully! Cole also enjoys school very much and loves the challenge. We are holding back on many activities this school year with him so that he may concentrate on his reading and be ready to take on more next year. His knee has recovered and there are no lingering side effects that we are aware of at this moment.

Hopefully I will be able to post again before Christmas... but if not... I hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday filled with joy and love!

Todd's New Adventure

Todd was rewarded last week with something that he has been working towards for 13 years... I am sure that you are asking yourself what this might be? Drumroll please.... he is now the Manager at ABC Supply, Freeport branch. He definitely has his work cut out for him as the last manager left the store in a real mess, but I have all confidence that he will turn the store around and be a success! He has worked many hours the last week and a half getting the store ready for inventory and it went wonderful... I think this is just an example how he can get the guys working and get things done! Many congrats to all of his hard work!

More Family Pics 2009

Family Pics 2009

We had our family pics taken at Krape Park last month... and, of course, we had to include our new family member! My niece, Kili, has started a photography company... so we did have her take our pics... It was a gorgeous day and Todd did get involved more than planned. I know that he doesn't look too happy in some pics, but he did start smiling sometimes. I have heard that owners choose their dogs because they look somewhat like them... Look at Roscoe and Todd in the pics as they look miserable to be there. We had a wonderful time and thank Kili for capturing these wonderful photos! Enjoy!

Halloween 2009

Zoe during her class parade.

Zoe was a rainbow princess.

Cole was bumblebee from the Transformers movies.

Cole and Zoe enjoyed trick-or-treating again this year... even though we couldn't stay out very long or go very far due to Cole's knee injury.

School Pictures Fall 2009

Cole's New Friends

Cole was playing tackle football with his friends a few weeks ago and injured his knee. We didn't think it was serious until 2am rolled around and he was screaming in pain because he couldn't walk on it... So Todd and Cole headed to the ER. He had strained muscles on both sides of his left knee cap. I had enough of him after 2 days of being home and talked the dr into giving him a knee immobilizer as I didn't want to send a 7 yr old to school with crutches. After 2 weeks of no gym or recess and taking it easy at home... he has recovered with virtually no pain.

And everyone was wondering why I hadn't updated the blog lately??

Ears Pierced Again!

Zoe decided one Sunday a few weeks ago that she wanted her ears pierced again. Remember that we attempted this 2 1/2 yrs ago and one ear was so infected that we had to remove them. She is doing a wonderful job of taking care of them and they are beautiful (and no problems)!

Birthday Party Fun

Zoe was invited to her friend, Emma's, birthday party. She just loved showing off her freshly painted nails!

Roscoe Update

Roscoe is now 3 months old and has gained almost 10 lbs since we have had him. He is still not a "chunky" dog as you can see his ribs at times. He is adjusting well and so are we. I am still getting up once at night to leave him outside and do still have accidents in the house, but I am told this will get better... I give him another 3 mos to get this figured out. Cole loves him and Zoe is still adjusting, but getting better. He is definitely not a little puppy anymore!

Dance

Zoe talked her dad into letting her sign up for dance classes here in town. She has a blast! She loves to get all dressed up... and she can do 2 of her favorite things... dance and sing! They do have a watch night every once in awhile, so we do get to take pics and see how they are progressing. I don't know, but I think she is hooked on this for awhile!