Snowy Day

We haven't had much of a winter here in the Midwest, but on the days/nights when winter did decide to show its face, we received a few good helpings of snow.  And, what better way to enjoy the snow than to get all bundled up and head outside. 

All bundled up!

Time to shovel

"Oh wow, the snowblower!"

 Time for some sledding!  As you can tell, Henry was not too sure about the idea.  He didn't warm up to it all that well and eventually decided it wasn't for him.  Ethan on the other hand loved it and went ahead and made his own hill down the stairs of the deck.  I think he could have been outside for hours going down the "hill" if his body would allow it.

Snow Angels!

"All done...time to go inside!"

The weather has been unseasonably warm so while we haven't had much of a chance to play in the snow, we have enjoyed a lot more outside time than we are used to this time of year.  The boys are loving the warmer temps, but would like a few more snow falls so they can get some more sledding and shoveling time in. 

Snow My Goodness

To say that snow fell would be an understatement. Snow fell and fell and fell. And wind blew and blew and some more snow fell and fell. For about 18 hours straight, leaving about 20 inches of the white stuff on the ground. The 3rd largest blizzard in history, basically shutting down Chicago on Wednesday. We hunkered down on Tuesday night, had a few glasses of wine and just listened to the "thundersnow." It was quite an evening! We woke up the next morning to white and lots of it!
Here is the first path Matt made from the house to the garage. It would be the first of many that day!

All the snow meant that everyone was at home and outside ready to build forts, sled, have snow ball fights and just enjoy friends. Ethan had a blast playing with all our neighbors and they sure enjoyed showing him all the fun you can have in the snow.

Our little house! Because we are on the corner, we seemed to take the brunt of the drifting snow. As you can see, the snow is almost as high as our front windows. I don't think anyone is going to make it to our front door anytime soon!Matt, again, snowblowing. We figured it took him from about 8:30 until 3:30, with a break for lunch, to clear all the snow. Look at those straight lines!!This is looking out our front door after Matt cleared the walkway. Kind of gives you perspective on how much snow we really got!Henry didn't get to go outside so he took advantage of some major mommy time inside the warm house!Brothers enjoying some major bonding time. It has been really fun to spend a lot of time together as a family, we don't do that often enough!Ethan enjoying all his new cars! A gal in newcomers was selling her son's stash of cars from the Cars movie. I scooped up about 50 cars for $7.00. Not too bad for several hours of entertainment. Ethan is in heaven.

We hope everyone made it through the Blizzard of 2011 safely. Even though we will probably have snow on the ground until April or May, it was pretty fun to be a part of history. Makes the long winter months somewhat interesting and gives people something to talk about for the next week or so!

Snowy Night

Over the past 5 days or so, we have gotten between 6 and 8 inches of snow and it is beautiful! We have been busy getting ready for Christmas and really have not taken advantage of the snow until last night. Matt was heading outside to snow blow the driveway and Ethan was just dying to go with him. While he didn't quite understand the preparations involved in getting ready to play in the snow, I think the boots, pants, coat, hat and gloves were well worth it!

"Mom, hurry up....I am ready to go outside!"Not too sure about all this white stuff.
Mmmm, this stuff tastes pretty good!

Helping dad shovel!

I think overall, Ethan really enjoyed being outside in the snow. Well, until he got "thrown out" of the sled by his mom and landed face first in the snow. It only took a few seconds to recover and he was ready to go again! I am looking forward to a little fun outside this weekend because if it is going to be cold, bring on the snow!

Snowy

It looks like the first snow of the season has fallen. I woke up this morning to a dusting of pretty white snow.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who help make our first March of Dimes, March for Babies a success. I can't begin to thank each and every one of you enough for your generous donations.

Unfortunately our walk was cut short by the torrential down pours that occurred off and on throughout the morning on Sunday. After about 2 miles in off and on sprinkles, the down pours started and we had to duck for cover in the nearest Corner Bakery. We sent the boys off in a cab to get the cars and then headed home.

I do have to commend the Chicago Chapter of March of Dimes for an impressive walk route. If the weather would not have been so bad, it would have made for a great stroll past many of Chicago's great landmarks and along the lake front. Here we are in front of Buckingham Fountain, just after the start.

We are already looking forward to next year's walk. It is truly such a great cause and so close to our hearts! The crazy thing is next year Ethan and Jack will not be stroller bound and will be able to get out and walk with us!

MANY THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR GENEROUS AND NEVER ENDING SUPPORT!

Swing Swing Swingin'

The weather the last week or so has been fairly decent so, we took advantage of a nice sunny day last Monday with a walk around the neighborhood and a trip to Commercial Park, just a few blocks from our house. As this was the first time to the park with Ethan, I think Matt and I were a little overwhelmed with the number of children running around, strollers, and mommies! Ethan, on the other hand, really enjoyed his first time on the swings. He had several belly laughs as he went back and forth and thought the "big" kids running around were really entertaining. One thing Matt and I were wondering; is there such thing as park etiquette? We walked past Wicker Park twice to swing and they were full both times. Luckily the swings at Commercial Park were open, but is there some sort of time limit to be followed, do you just wait in line? Oh, life as a novice park-goer!

Halloween Weekend

Ethan had a great 1st Halloween and looked so cute in his costume, if I do say so myself. He didn't get to wear it nearly as long as I would have liked because the weather was just too gorgeous for Halloween and I picked the hottest fleece footed costume!

The weekend kicked off with my mom, sister, and Ben coming over Friday night for some yummy chili. We enjoyed the gorgeous night and about 20 trick or treaters. We had special visits from the 3 chicks (Abbie, Lauren and Ellie) that live below us and Amy, Patrick, and Lindsay Forebaugh. I love seeing all the kiddies dressed up so I was thrilled to have a lot more visitors than we did last year. I even used most of the 6 lb. bag of candy I bought. Thank goodness or I would be eating all the leftovers and believe me, that would not be a good thing!

Saturday my mom and I went for a long walk around the neighborhood. Can the weather be any nicer for the end of October/beginning of November? I am loving this! While I went to the airport to pick up Matt, my mom made her infamous Vidalia Onion Dip and Rice Krispie Treats (only this time we added Candy Corn and drizzled chocolate on top). Just a side note, I am so glad Matt is home from Russia....Ethan and I really missed him while he was gone. We then headed over to Gibson's for a Halloween party. Really, it was just an excuse for all of us to get together, have a few drinks, and dress up all the kiddos again. The costumes were so so cute and all the food was delicious. Thank you to the Gibson's for having us all over, I know it was a lot of work, especially with Laura not feeling well. After the party, Matt and I went to see Miranda Lambert (more on that in another post) and my mom and dad got to spend some quality time with Ethan (aka...babysitting!).

Sunday, Matt tried to catch up on some sleep and get over his jet lag, while I tried to get some things done around the house (tried being the key word in that sentence!). That evening, we had a dinner date with the Dill's and the Rice's. Katie really out did herself with a great Italian meal....Caesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and then apple crisp. It was so delicious (even if it was more like spaghetti and meatloaf!). Thanks to the Rice's for having us over for dinner....it was so much fun!

I have posted some of the images from the weekend, but you can see them all here. Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

The Sky Is Falling

Well, not really.....just a branch, but it sure seemed that way when I went to unload my car in Lafayette on Saturday and witnessed a huge branch come tumbling down on my car. Yep, just like that Allstate commercial (the one you watch and think it will never happen to you).

As I was standing in the garage, a huge gust of wind ripped a branch off a tree that is in a neighbor's yard next to Carol and Larry's house and it landed smack dab on the roof of my car. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the branch on top of the car, but as you can see the tree and the branch were not small. Surprisingly, the car did not suffer that much damage, just a bent luggage rack and some small scratches and dents. Now it is onto the fun of dealing with the insurance companies and having the car fixed. Thank goodness I was not 30 seconds ahead of myself.....I would have had a tree protruding from my head!!!

The Damage Is Done

















If you look closely, you can see where the branched snapped off in the middle of the tree!

Run Run Run

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to all the runners who finished the 2008 Chicago Marathon. My mom, dad, Matt, Ethan and I headed out early on Sunday morning to watch the race. We made it just in time to catch the elite athletes at mile 4, which is always incredible to see. We stayed at mile 4 to watch Heather and my cousin, Megan, and then headed over to mile 11 to see them again. They were both looking great and ready to take on the next 15 miles, which they did without hesitation!

Watching the marathon is always so inspirational to me and gets me in the mood to run and puts the idea in my head to do the marathon the following year. While I am not sure I will follow through on signing up for the 2009 marathon, I did get out and run!! I hopped in with Heather at mile 18 and finished the last 8 miles with her.

I admire all the finishers because it was hot out there. While it was gorgeous weather for all the spectators, the weather was less than ideal for all the runners. With temperatures in the low 80's and not a cloud in the sky, it was just too hot to run 26.2 miles!!! I am so proud of both Heather and Megan (who both beat their previous best times) and all the other runners who completed the grueling race! I know a lot of people were disappointed with their times, but you finished a marathon. What a great accomplishment!!! Congratulations!

Here are some more pictures that Matt took during the race!

Why People Why?

Do you not shovel your sidewalks?

Last Saturday Chicago was hit with a bit of a snow storm. I think we received close to 8 inches between Saturday around noon and Sunday morning. Everything was glistening with the new fallen snow; it was a gorgeous site Sunday morning when we woke up.

Well, my opinion quickly changed when I had to walk to the el on Monday morning. I would say less than 50% of the sidewalks in my 15 minute walk to the el were shoveled. Why, I ask, do people not shovel their sidewalks? It is common courtesy to me and a nice neighborly thing to do. Now that the weather has started to warm up, all that unshoveled snow is now wet and slushy and making a mess of my pants as I walk to and from the el each day. So, my fellow blog readers, I ask that you think of your neighbors during heavy snows and any walking they might have to do on your sidewalk. Please shovel your sidewalk!