Spending the night at G & G's house

At the beginning of the month, Jason had to go to Toronto for a few days. I don't like staying by myself with the kids so we went to Grandma and Grandpas for a couple days. We stayed from Wednesday to Friday. Thursday afternoon, Sami started throwing up. My mom stayed up with her all night. I was upstairs with the baby...up with him. Sami could not keep even water down. She threw up all night. What was I going to do?? I didn't get much sleep trying to figure things out. My parents were leaving in the morning to attend my father's sister's funeral service. They were going to be gone most of the day because if was about 2 1/2 hours away. Well, thank goodness for friends. I was almost in tears as I phoned a good friend who leaves in town. She ended up taking Jon so I could pick up Nick from school and take Sami to the doctor. Sami had strep! The doctor told us that was it! No more!! (We have been there at least once a week since November, sometimes twice a week! ) There was nothing else for her to get! Oh, how I was hoping to avoid that illness. We headed back to Grandma and Grandpas house. They have cable and a nice new tv! Eventually, we made it home. Unfortunately, Sami continued to puke for another 2 days. Poor thing! Thankfully, no one else got sick!! Praise the LORD!

Celebrating my birthday

My birthday fell on a Sunday and on the big race day. Lucky me!

We've been having meals after the morning service this month to help save some money.

So it was nice to spend the day among friends. My mother made some heart cupcakes. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" ---3 times! Then we spent the rest of the day at my parents...watching the race of course.

And we had pizza. Yummy!

I needed help with the candles!

Even an old man can have fun!

At my parents house, there is a patch of ice in the backyard. My brother and I used to have races and such. Recently, Jonathan, Samantha and Nicholas enjoyed some time on the ice.

What a sight! My father ran, pulling the sled and then let it go to slide across the ice. I should have video taped it!

Jonathan tried to coax Nick to go with him. Nick doesn't get out much! He waited for his grandpa to come get him.

Speaking of snow...

Jon trying to get through the snow.

Both of them trying to get through the snow!

Little Sami making her way

That's how much snow there was for them to trudge through!

I remember the fun I had as a child sledding and playing in the snow. I remember this tree in the front yard and the first branch was at least 5 feet up. We had snow up to that branch. When you are little that is alot of snow! I remeber being scared to go out because I thought I would fall in and no one would find me. We only kept losing our boots! I also remember sledding down behind our neighbors house. My brother always built a ramp and I never wanted to go over it. I was a 'fraidy-cat! Eventually, I did it and loved it! As much as I get tired of the snow, I am glad my children get to experience the f un. My dad even gets involved!

More snow?!

Just when you think it is all over, it starts again. Snow!! I tried to shovel, but it just kept blowing back in my face. I felt bad for Duke because I opened the door to let him out and the snow was piled about 2 feet high! But he just plowed right through it.

So, I went to let the dog out and turned to go back in the house only to find the door locked...again! Nicholas likes to play with the bolt. Thankfully, the walls and sheetrock are up on the breezeway. I stood pounding on the door for 20 minutes trying to get Sami's attention. (Jason was coming home from work and stopping at my parents to pick up Jon. At least another 40 minutes.) I yelled and screamed. Of course, Nick thought it was funny and yelled back...until he realized I wasn't coming in! Eventually, I plowed through the snow, with Duke, to the deck and started banging on the house. Poor Stevie is in his highchair screaming his head off. Still couldn't get Samantha. She was watching a movie. I go back to banging on the door. Brrrr! It was cold and windy out there! Then after my hands get sore, I go back out through the snow and wind to a window that is facing where Sami is sitting. I push the screen up and bang on the window, the house. She just sits there. chewing on her fingers. I start yelling. Finally, finally, she comes to the window. I think she is partially deaf!! She keeps saying "what?" She doesn't wonder, or even care, why I am outside!! I finally get through to her to go unlock the door. Well, she had turned up the volume on the movie because Stevie was crying! I told her next time before turning the movie up she needed to come make sure everything was okay. I could have been lying on the floor!! She just looks at me with that blank look and asks to go back to her movie!! Come to find out, Jason had stuck a key in the garage the last time I got locked out! Go figure!! What a day!

Our photo shoot

I figured it was worth a shoot to get the kids pictures taken. Plus, I had a coupon and I'm in a smile savers program. And someone sent the boys the same shirt for Christmas. What fun! I took my mom with me to help out. I told Jon beforehand that he would need to cooperate and smile. If he did, the sooner we would get out of there. I guess I should have mentioned that to Steven also! He didn't even crack a smile until we were back out in the car! The photographer tries so hard to get good pictures. I always tell them to just take it and if it doesn't come out, oh well. I'll find one I like. So here are some of the pictures. A good laugh!!