Squirrel-ey Business

Let me just start out by saying that yes, I DO realize that squirrels are wild animals. However ... they are just so cute, and since they don't hibernate, and they look so pitiful, cold, and hungry ... ... ... Ok, so the reality is that I have been feeding our neighborhood squirrels our scrap bread and fruits since the summer. What began out on the back fence posts has now moved to the deck table, since it is within throwing distance from the glass sliding door. Visits from our furry friends have become a daily routine, and Aiden even insists that his leftovers go to the squirrels. See, I'm teaching compassion for the poor! LOL

Yep, that's a WHOLE apple that the squirrel is trying very carefully to take back to his little den (or whatever his clump of leaves is called). Needless to say, right after I snapped these pics, gravity won!

Play-Doh

Play-doh was one of Aiden's stocking-stuffers. After days of begging and pleading, I finally gave in, taped down the waxed paper, and let him have at it! He was most impressed that I gave him a knife to "play" with. He also enjoyed pretending the play-doh was different foods and "sqweeshing" it in between his fingers!

Happy New Year!

The Lord has blessed us with another year in which to serve Him and discover more of His great love and mercy for us! (And by "us", I mean you too!!)

Aiden running out some energy at the mall playplace

Lunching at our favorite sports bar (which is surprisingly family-friendly!)

Happy 25th Birthday, Andy!

My darling husband turned 25 just before the new year. Although he received many practical gifts (Babe, you really DID need new work shirts!), he "gifted" himself an XBox 360! Aiden enjoyed helping make the cake and unwrapping presents. Anz, you've completed a quarter of a century! I pray God will make the next 25 even better! I love you!


Aiden hopping on "pops" (aka: shipping packing filler)

Presents!

Cake!

A Few More Christmas Pictures

Merrry Christmas!

We celebrated the memory of our Savior's birth low-key style this year. We had a dinner celebration with Aunt Lauren and Uncle Nathan (Aiden's "adopted" aunt and uncle!), Xmas Eve with our realtor Jessica and her family, and then Xmas morning just the 3.5 of us at our house. Such a blessed time!

Dinos

Just like his dad, Aiden is into dinosaurs (actually, they are the SAME dinos from Andy's boyhood!). I don't get the obsession, but I do find it adorable!

Regarding Aiden's outfit: we had just come in from playing outside in the snow, hence the longjohns that don't match. No, we do not normally dress sloppy, even in the middle of winter!

Post-Thanksgiving Posting

I want to take a moment to give shout-out thanks to:

My parents for Aiden's LLBean snow suit. It allows the little boy in my life to escape from the house for at least 30 minutes a day, for which, I am ever so grateful!

My in-laws for Andy's long-johns and snow boots. I know Rick, that you never used them on your detail at the Olympics in Salt Lake City, but they sure are getting plenty of use now!

My Grandma and Fred for the double-lined socks expedited to us from QVC. Warm feet is a good thing!

My God for blessing our family with a 4Runner with 4-wheel drive. I had questioned this fall whether to downsize to a more economical, fuel efficient, budget friendly SUV, but now with almost 2 feet of snow on the ground and Andy having to leave for work at 10pm, I am more than grateful for the foresight the Lord gave us in purchasing the "Yota!"

Best for Last

And the best pic of the snow yet ... from floor-level in our dining room, looking out onto the deck!

Let it Snow ... and snow ... and snow ...

It's 4 days 'til Christmas and it's been snowing for at least 2, maybe 3 days straight (I've lost count). Today, according to our trusty weather peeps, we're experiencing a "nor'easter" (I have no clue how to spell that one!). I know it's not good for people who have to get out in it, but I just can't help looking out the window a million times a day and marveling at its beauty. God is so awesome in creating something so white and perfect.

Back Up and Running

I know it has been forever since I've posted on my blog. Most likely you forgot I even HAD a blog, but alas! I am going to start it up again! Maybe it's due to the cold winter weather that has been keeping me indoors and craving an outlet for all my thoughts. Or perhaps it's because I finished my 130 Christmas cards "project" and now I feel a void in my life. Well, no matter the reason, this blog is up and running again, so keep an eye on it every couple of days. Happy reading!

My Favorite Pics

Of all the pictures I've taken of Aiden over the past 15 months, these 4 rate as the best. He's my little man!

The Bathtowel

Until Gigi sent the cute chickie towel, Aiden was wrastling with big Broncos Crush towels ... thanks Gigi! Now I can keep my wet worm under wraps!