Travel Day

The travel day has arrived. We packed up some of the travel contents last night and alas all of the gifts would not fit. Actually a great many of the gifts would not fit. As Ryan said in the wee hours of last night "we should have planned this better". Madeline did not seem to be dissappointed when I broke the news this morning. She didn't even bat an eye when she said "that's okay". We'll have fun opening gifts when we get home next week. Just a few hours until we roll out and we're hoping for decent weather. Still no mouse and we're taking the car but I did tell Ryan that I do not want any items touching the floor of the car. Ick!

Mouse

On Friday I decided to get a couple of errands done. It was a snow day and I was home in the morning. Earlier in the week Grandma JoLene picked up Annie and when she dropped Annie off she left the carseat in the garage. I waited until Friday to re-install the carseat. As I was installing the carseat a (very large) mouse (probably around four inches long minus the tail) crawled out of the carseat and scurried under the passenger seat of the car. After composing myself and informing the girls that a mouse had taken up residency in our car I tried to get the little booger to come out so I could shoo it out of the car. To no avail. My friend left work to help and the best we could do was scare it up into the dash. Since then I put two humane catch and release style traps in the car, however, the mouse hasn't taken the bait. There are several mouse turds right around the mouth of the traps but unfortunately no trapped mouse. We're now in limbo as to which vehicle to drive to Colorado tomorrow. We may drive a car, or we may drive a truck. Only time will tell.

Images of Home

Today is the two year anniversary of my mother's death.

This angel has been passed down from my paternal grandmother. It was very special to my dad.

We are just finishing up the last details before we drive to Colorado. It has been very cold here but even still the girls have been having a blast in the snow. Today they went sledding despite the 1 degree temperature and even colder wind chill. The cold isn't anything that a little layering can't conquer.

Ryan

Ryan
Serious Ryan

Playful Ryan

Ten Kilometers

Just wanted to add that I ran 10k yesterday. My goal was to run 10k before the end of the year. Yay! Next milestone is 10 miles which I will try to run before my birthday. It shouldn't be difficult but it's nice to have a goal!

Busiest day is over

We survived our busiest day! Madeline had yoga and dance, Annie had dance then Madeline and I met up for the candlelight luncheon where we had a great time. A little rest in the afternoon preceded the trip to grandma and grandpa's while Ryan and I went to a holiday party. The holiday party was a riot. They had a white elephant gift exchange that was so funny I probably lost weight from laughing. We went home with a half broken toaster and a matching leapard set that was custom made for another couple's wedding night. They tell us they've never been worn/used. Regardless we have plans to bring them back to the exchange again next year. It was our first white elephant gift exchange experience and we enjoyed it quite a bit.

Sunday Ryan took the girls out and went shopping for me. I still need to take the girls out for Ryan.

We're ramping up for our holiday party this weekend. We decided to host a small gathering for the neighbors this year. Maybe next year we'll opt for a bigger guest list. Annie and Madeline are headed over to grandma and grandpa's for the evening so that adults can have fun. I've catered most of the food but am making some desserts for the party. I hope people come hungry because I have dinner for them!

December

Well it's officially December. It has snowed twice and it's friggin' cold outside. The gifts are wrapped and under the tree with only a couple things left to buy. The girls and I do need to go out and buy a present for Ryan. I forget what Maddie wanted to get him, but I think it was along similar lines to the dump truck she wanted to get him when she was three. We'll see what we end up with. In about a week Madeline has her holiday shop at school where she will pick out gifts for all of us. Last year's gifts were pretty cute. We still play with the fluffy six foot long snake.

Last night we had houseguests. Teresa, Ashley and Audrey came over and spent the night. Teresa had choir practice at the orpheum and the girls played all night long. They all had fun and the adults stayed up pretty late chatting. *yawn*

Today Annie had her first winter gala program at school. Unfortunately due to some horrendous problem on the interstate I arrived a half hour late. Just in time to see everyone pack up their sheisse and leave. I guess none of the kids sang anyway, but I still feel terrible for missing it. Chalk it up to some idiot driver who trucked up the interstate enough to shut the entire thing down which required diverting traffic into a snarled mess. Anyway we all had fun playing in the playroom after dinner.

Tomorrow is probably the busiest day of December for us. Early tomorrow morning we head to the recreation club where Annie does dance, Madeline does Yoga. I will run while Ryan does strength training. Then we'll part so I can head over to the Candlelight luncheon while Ryan and the girls take Madeline to dance class. Madeline will meet me at the luncheon while I presume Annie will take a nap. Then we have a holiday party to attend. It's a very busy day for us, but should be full of fun. It's only around two weeks before we head off to Colorado! I am excited to see the Michelle and John's new house. Plus we always look forward to Maggie and Jack!