Expecting more...

Yep, that's right...we're getting MORE SNOW!!!! Actually it's already started. We're under a winter storm warning and www.weather.com is forecasting 6-10" w/ lots of drifting snow, and our local stations are thinking more like 6"..... guess we'll find out tomorrow.

I mean, come on! Can we really handle more snow right now? PA was declared in a 'state of emergency' on Saturday morning and things around here really haven't gotten much better. Yes, most of us have cleared our driveways the best we can, and most of the roads are somewhat* clear, but there are still lots of roads around here that are horrible. Ava and I tried to go to the grocery store yesterday for our weekly groceries, (not emergency food mind you) and ended up driving down the middle of some of the roads to get around snow banks. Then of course when we got to the store, we couldn't find half of the things we needed.

*by somewhat I mean, lanes are half their normal width due to snow banks, corners are oh so sharp and must be made incredibly slowly, and there is still ice everywhere which makes you think you're hitting potholes when you drive over them.

I tried to take pictures as often as I could starting Friday afternoon. These are the pictures that turned out the best.

Friday roughly 12:30pm

(if you're wondering, that's my Guster t-shirt reflecting in the window)

Friday about 2:30pm

our back deck

7:00 am Saturday morning...

gotta love the reflection of our living room, sorry

the front

opening the garage door

you may not be able to tell, but the snow was sloped down towards the door, so what Nathan is shoveling is not all we got.

one of the many piles

our porch stairs are missing....

found one... but not the bottom one!

Nathan and our neighbor Shayne.

It took them about 3 hours

Off the back deck

getting ready to take Ava out, she thought she could help sweep the stairs

making her way to Daddy

Ava brought her snack along for fun

oh so cold, but what a happy girl

checking it all out

We put her up on the snow pile

She wasn't too excited about it

We'll update after our next round of snow... and what's that? Maybe more snow this weekend? You've GOT to be kidding me!

"Baff"...

It never fails these days, when we ask Ava if she is done with her current meal, that she asks for a "baff." I think this started about a month or so ago, when I starting giving her baths right after lunch. Our little girl who used to be so good at signing "all done," or saying "done" rarely does those things anymore..... now its just "baff!"

This morning after heading out to play (which really means watching Daddy shovel the snow), we came back in and had lunch. I think Ava knew that if she put her food in her hair, she would definitely end up in the "baff."

So for your enjoyment, here is Ava today at lunch.

And Nathan was right... this was totally blog-worthy!

Pics...

Pictures for Gigi. (thats Ava's Great Grandma... GGma...get it?)

Ava and I treated ourselves to a small lunch a few weeks ago

before a checkup for my dental implants.

She of course flirted with the two gentlemen who sat behind us, and they thought she was amazing.

our silly girl

she must have everything on the couch with her


I found Ava down on the landing trying on my old shoes....
this is her new idea of fun. She also likes trying to walk in them

playing with her music table

once again at Lilliput, celebrating Joshua's birthday

(she loves bananas, "nana")

watching Daddy play Wii

(it was given to us as a Christmas gift!)

she is a Daddy's girl for sure

It was Ava's idea to wear the headband, she LOVES them!

I'll be in the shower and she'll peek her head in with a headband in her hand and

want me to put it on her. Nathan calls her "workout Ava" when she wears these.

It's a keeper...

We don't eat out, thats just how it is. Okay, I shouldn't say we don't, because on occasion we do, and that makes those times special. Eating out is expensive, and with a toddler it can often be a nightmare. So I cook or prepare 3 meals a day, (sometimes heating up chicken nuggets is all we have time for.)

I am always looking for new things to try, things that are relatively inexpensive yet tasty, things that we'll all like, things that are quick and easy. I recently signed up to receive Parenting magazine again, they were having a super deal, 3 years for $12. Wow! Each month the magazine has a few meal ideas, and I stumbled across one that I thought sounded pretty good and last week we gave it a try.

Wow, was it good!!!!

The best part was how much flavor it packed in such a simple dish. Now we did make a few minor adjustments to the recipe.... for example, it called for uncooked turkey sausage links, that were to be cooked for 20 minutes. We don't have that extra 20 minutes, so instead we got Hillshire Farms cooked sausage, and it was quick, easy, and GOOD.

So for all of you out there who like to cook and want to try a new recipe, I thought I'd share. (And if you happen to have any recipes you'd like to share w/ us, please feel free to do so!)

Enjoy!

Penne w/ sausage and red peppers.

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 polish sausage ~ 1lb

1 c. chopped onion

1-1/2 red pepper (or 16oz frozen peppers if you can find them)

1/4 c. water

1/2 c. diced tomatoes

1 tbsp. basil

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp black pepper

1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

1 lb penne

-Heat oil in skillet over med/high.

-Brown sausage

-Add onion and saute 1 min.

-Add pepper, spices, h20, tomatoes, & worcestershire sauce

-Simmer 10 minutes

-Cook pasta according to box, drain, and mix w/ sausage mixture.

great vegetables...

Oh the joy that shows on Ava's face in the morning when a bright red tomato and tall green cucumber come hopping across the tv screen.

No, we didn't get cable, but we did two new DVDs. Actually, Joshua gave Ava her very first VeggieTales DVD for her birthday. But since Ava hasn't ever been interested in anything on tv other than music (she refused to watch Baby Einstein), we didn't open it until just recently.

And what a perfect gift it was. There are 4 stories, lots of silly songs, and Ava just grins and laughs every time she sees Bob and Larry. She was so excited by it, that I couldn't help but get another one. I was at Walmart a week or so ago and picked up this one:

I had no idea that it was the newest VeggieTales, just out on Jan. 23rd. We've watched it several times, and although I must admit I enjoy the other collection better, this one is quite entertaining, and has reminded me of a few that I need to do in my life. And by watched, I mean, its on the TV while Ava is also playing in the living room. She doesn't actually sit and watch, but does pause every once and a while to laugh, point, and dance.

When I was younger my Mom always gave me something small for Valentines Day. I remember several times getting roses, chocolate hershey kiss roses that is. I'm a chocolate addict you know! Anyway, I wanted to get Ava a little something, something she could enjoy, so I went ahead and got her another VeggieTales when I was at Target buying Joshua's birthday present. (Happy Birthday Joshua - he turned 2 this past Wednesday) It's also a newer one, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's - the story of a prodigal son.'

That brings our collection to three, but I doubt it will stop there. VeggieTales are something that we can all enjoy, they are creative, silly, educational, spiritually based, and they make Ava happy. What could be better?

Big changes...

are coming our way....

A small way to help...

Every two weeks when I get my Avon order in the mail, I get really excited. I love mail, any kind of mail... well, except for mail that isn't for me, or credit card applications. Most everything else I like though. Anyway, so when my box arrived on Saturday morning I ran down and pulled the box inside, got my scissors and cut the tape. The order I placed was small, only for myself and my neighbor Kristi, but I was still excited. You see, with each campaign, I get the newest books and sneak peaks at what is coming out in future campaigns. But I got an extra surprise this time. This "bookmark" (and about 50 others just like it) were in my box.

Since the earthquake last week in Haiti, everyone has been doing their best to help in any way possible. There have been telethons, support websites, mission trips, and tons of rescue operations. And a couple of our friends have even signed up to adopt Haitian orphans that are coming to the U.S. Can you believe that? What amazing hearts God has given those people. But I wasn't quite sure where we fit in. We aren't able to give much financially, and adoption definitely isn't something we can do right now. So when this little piece of paper fell into my hands, I knew instantly that I could help (in a small way) by sharing the news.

During the next 3 campaigns/brochures (#4, 5, & 6), for every full-size Skin So Soft product you buy (excluding deodorants), Avon will donate $.50 to help the Haiti relief efforts. It's not a lot, but it's something! So why not go ahead and buy an extra of your favorite SSS product, or if you haven't ever tried it, check it out here, and give it a try. We have lots of different SSS products, and some fabulous new ones. (this one, that one, here, and there too)

If you need any help let me know. And if you aren't an Avon fan, that's okay, I just hope you can find your own way to help out.