Winter Wonderland (like I wonder why we still live here)

When we moved to Milwaukee, we thought that we would be here no more than 5 years (4 1/2 yrs ago), then move on to bigger and better things. Then, last year we endured the 2nd worst winter on record (the worst was in 1892 or something like that). After that, Corey declared that we were NOT going to spend another winter in this place! Well..... here we are.

This past Friday, we were 'blessed' with about 14 inches of snow. And not the first snow of the season, either. I think we are ahead of last year's snowfall at this time. I have been kind of sissy about the snowblower, and have not used it this year. Luckily, Corey has been home during each of the previous storms, so he just takes care of it. Last week we got a few inches while Corey was out of town, and I was just going to clear a path to the garage. But the snow was so powdery (Utah snow) that I ended up pushing it off the whole driveway. I say 'pushing' because that's all I did. I didn't lift anything, it was great. And, since I am 22 weeks pregnant, I figure I should refrain from any kind of snow hefting.

Back to Friday. We bought Addie a snow shovel her size for Christmas, but with this snow we decided to give her a present early (and put her to work). I bundled her up, then sent her out with Corey to clear our paths. Max was TICKED!!! He wanted to go out soooo bad! This did not excite me, because I figured that I'd spend 15 minutes getting him and me bundled, then he'd be out for 2 minutes before he started crying from the cold. And I don't have any snow pants for him yet, but I did find some snow gloves (waterproof), so I thought I'd give it a try. An hour later, I was freezing and the drive and walkways were cleared, so I started hauling kids back inside. Again, he was Ticked! He'd have stayed outside all day if I'd have let him. What a trooper! Addie, too, although I expected that from her. She just loves doing big-kid stuff like that.


Here she is, first braving the snow. The grimace is just the initial shock of the cold, I'm sure.


Doesn't look like he's too excited, huh. That's what I thought, until he started trucking down the driveway trying to catch up to Corey and the snowblower.


Remember how fun it was to eat snow? Now, all I can think about is frozen cheeks and chapped lips as a result of the snow eating. I think I'm getting old. This picture has Addie on her knees, but when she walked down the walk before it was cleared, the snow hit the bottom of her coat. Wisconsin's great, huh?



Corey hauling Max back up the driveway. I thought the noise of the snowblower would be too much for Max, but when I took him from Corey he freaked out. Guess he just wanted some male bonding time.

Like I said before, I wonder why we still live in this place that can bury us so entirely in just a couple hours. Options, I guess.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

I have the most amazing husband. I know everyone says that sometime or another in their marriage, but I really have a great man taking care of me.

We got back from Nauvoo on Sunday night, and Monday got a call from Corey's mom saying she wanted to come visit. She was on the road the next day. She got in late Tuesday evening, and we were sitting around visiting when Corey handed me an envelope. I had been cleaning all day (mother-in-law visit cleaning) and was tired, so I was very confused when I opened the envelope to stare at the travel itinerary in front of me. It said that I was leaving Saturday morning for Ontario. But I don't have a passport, and I don't think December is the time for me to go to Canada. But, on further inspection, I realized that I was going to Ontario, CA!! That's right next to Ranco Cucamonga, and that's where Amber lives with her babies!!! I was going to finally see those quads!!! Not only did Corey buy my ticket, he arranged the week with Amber... he got me a substitute for Primary... he changed my doctor appointment... and he took a day off to watch the kids! What a man.

So I was off to sunny weather, and beautiful babies. And I forgot my camera. Not that I had much time to even think about taking pictures. So, I've stolen some pictures from Amber's blog (this woman has enough organization to post regularly, nurse, pump, medicate babies, entertain those that come to help her, and stay calm while 2-3 babies are crying in her arms at the same time). And I fell in LOVE! I cried when I left, not just because I was going to miss helping out, but because I wasn't going to be able to hold and feed and change and rock and watch their development anytime I wanted. I can't believe how much I bonded with these wonderful miracles in such a short time. Five days doesn't seem like much, but a week later, I'm still missing those babies so very much. And it was hard work! There is NO down time. If all four are taken care of and happy (or sleeping), you are doing dishes, or folding laundry, or prepping bottles, or trying to remember to nap... because the nights were not any easier. I was peed on, and puked on, and woken up, and everything else that babies do that mommies (and surrogate aunties) have to endure times 4. And I wish I could go back tomorrow.

Here are the babies, these pics were taken a couple days before I got there. Top left is Michael, top right is Jakob, bottom left is Jaileigh, and bottom right is Anthony. It's amazing to me that anyone can confuse them, they seem so individual to me. Of course, that doesn't mean that I didn't fumble the names several times a day, but I always knew what I meant.


Typical scene at home, Mom and Dad holding two babies each.


Beautiful family, don't you think?


Oh, how I love them. Anthony, Michael, Jaileigh, and Jakob.

Hard to read in this picture, but their onesies say "All mommy wants for Christmas is a silent night." You don't know how true this is. Amber could fall asleep with people visiting around her, catch a couple winks while nursing or pumping, sleep with babies on her lap and chest... anything to keep up with these babies.

Oh, yeah, I came home the night before my birthday to balloons, a crown, and a completely clean house. My bed was even made! And this was all Corey, his mom went home a few days before. Addie made me wear this crown the whole day (when she remembered). Aren't I a lucky woman?!?

Nauvoo

Sorry, I have been remiss with my postings lately. But I have been busy doing things I should be posting about, so I'll try to catch up.

Thanksgiving in Nauvoo, what a good idea. I was not really on board, because Thanksgiving is about family gathering and feasting. At least that's what I believe. But being away from family, Corey didn't want to waste away the weekend by sitting on the couch watching football (I should be grateful, I know). And Nauvoo in November is so private! Very few visitors, so we had many attractions all to ourselves.

Here we are with the oxen. 2500 lbs of peaceful animals, still a little scary.


The statue of Joseph and Hyrum at the end of the Trail of Tears (0r hope, I forget).


Addie and I in front of John Taylor's property. Since we are decendants, we felt a bit of ownership and pride. We even signed the book in his home as a great-great granddaughter, and a great-great-great granddaughter (Addie's excited to meet him in heaven, funny that she is starting to get some deeper doctrine)


Again, we had Carthage Jail all to ourselves. We got there at 4:50, so we had the last tour of the evening. And it was full dark, so it was easy to transport ourselves back to the actual event. Very powerful.

Corey watched the kids while I did a session, and paid the price. Kids don't like killing time when it's 40* out, and they've missed their naptime. While I enjoyed 2 hours of peace, Corey never got his chance. He didn't want me (and the kids) to have to go through the same experience the next day, so we went down to Carthage instead.

We had a wonderful time, and were able to teach the kids (Addie, at least) about how people lived and loved the gospel in different ways than we know now.