Snow in the South

I had been hearing rumors that we were supposed to get snow, but since I don't really watch the news and I didn't think it snowed here, I thought it was purely rumor. Especially on Monday morning when we woke up to a beautiful day with temperatures in the 60's. Alex and Ryan left that day and I remember saying to them "Yeah, I don't think we will be getting that snow I have been hearing about." Tuesday morning we woke up to colder temperatures and what looked like rain, although I thought I saw a few snow flurries in the air. Jason had off that day, so after I got Aiden ready for school, he took him. Then, since it was Inaugural Day, I thought I should at least take a peek at the news and see what was going on this historic day. When I started watching the news I saw at the bottom of the screen all these schools closing, which I figured had to be more north of us, but not here, for goodness sake it was just flurries! But sure enough in a few minutes I saw Aiden's school scroll across the screen. I called Jason, who by now had gotten to the school and already figured it out, since no one was there. :) Aiden was thrilled of course, I was amused. Cancel school for this?? But, we were excited to have another day home and then we were excited to see it actually did start to snow. By afternoon the roads were covered and it was coming down "hard" for southern standards. I heard that the last time they had a "snow storm" here there was an 102 accidents on the main highway in one afternoon. So I guess it was a good thing they closed the schools!

Now, don't laugh, but this was a big deal to the kids! They have never had snow at their own house!

Later in the afternoon it was coming down a little harder



Snow angels!

A reverse snow angel??

We don't even have proper snow gear, but we made do. :)

Aiden is saying "I LOVE snow days!!!"

Our back deck In the morning - across the street

In the afternoon - across the street.
A perfect day to build a fort

There is nothing like a snow day. Everyone home, warm in the house, just hanging out. Been a long time since we had one of those and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

A visit from the Columbia Cousins

In order to stop receiving texts from Alex asking where the pictures of their visit are, I thought I had better update sooner than later. :) So here you go Alex!


Alex and Ryan, my cousins from Maryland, come stay the weekend with us last weekend. Since Chelly and I both live here now, it made the trip worth it for them to see two cousins at once! We had a good time and did a whole lot of nothing! Just sitting around, eating, playing games and watching football. My idea of a perfect weekend! The kids loved having them here, Ryan played lots of PlayStation with the boys and Alex gave Ryleigh a lovely new hairdo. Alex was a huge help in the kitchen, it was like having my own cooking show! I was making stuff and before I even turned around things were washed and counters were cleared. Maybe she can come live with us?? :)

Enjoying a breakfast of sausage gravy over biscuits. A love we got from our Granddad, who can really make some good gravy! Ryan asked me when I was making it "Now is this authentic sausage gravy?" Meaning, "like Granddad makes?" :)

Kyle, Allie, Ry and Aiden watching a movie while we tried to watch in peace the Ravens/Steelers game. It didn't work. I think Aiden was the only one that actually stayed in there and watched the whole movie.



This is what watching most of the game was like. See Adam crying, Aiden trying to make him stop, Ryleigh and Allie ready to make an escape and Kyle pretending to be good. Ryan looks like he is thinking "why did I want to come here and visit again??" Not easy watching a football game with 5 kids ages 6 and under. :)

Alex playing with Allie

Jason and Ryan
Playing cards one night. We also had friends in town that weekend that are moving here and they were up looking for a house. It was a full house last weekend! Just the way we like it!

Alex and Ryleigh

Alex and Ryleigh again, this time in the car. Just the girls (and Adam) went shopping to help Alex find some stuff for her new apartment.

Adam and Ryleigh in the car

Ryan, Chris and Jason grilling at Chris and Chelly's.

Thanks for coming guys! We hope you had a good time. Come back this summer when we can go to the beach!

Superhero cousins, Lobsters and Chess

The knight costume has been getting used quite often these days. Kyle taught Allie how to wear it, as you can see, and prepared to battle her as Darth Vader. They brought out all the dress ups after they dumped all the Lego's. Ryleigh likes to switch things up. She is a Knight Power Ranger cowgirl. I hear they are dangerous.

Kyle had to have an action shot.

Now they are Batman and Superman. Or excuse me, Batwoman and Supergirl.

A fierce battle going on. It is more of a challenge when you have to step around Lego's. They hurt when you step on them. Adam wasn't so sure about Kyle's mask.
Adam preferred to follow in Uncle Jeff and Uncle Matt's footsteps and be a fireman.

One night all of Jason's Logistics class came over for dinner, about 25-30 Marines. One guy wanted to cook lobster for everyone. So we all pitched in and bought lobsters and he (with the help of many) cooked for us all. My kitchen was a MESS! But everyone had lots of fun. You could barely walk there was so many people helping cook and prepare the lobsters, but that is what made it so much fun.

I didn't think to get a picture of all the lobsters in the sink until we were down to just one. It would have been a cool picture. The kids thought it was awesome.

In the midst of it all.

Some of the outside crowd.

The tails, which they took all the meat out of, cooked in butter and garlic and then made tacos. Yummy.

Aiden has always been interested in Chess. When he was like 3 Jason would get it out and let them pretend play with him. Back then he called it "Chest". I guess that cultivated a love for the game, because now he really likes to play. One of Jason's buddies went to South America over Christmas, and brought us back a new set, Aiden couldn't wait to try it out.

Can you say "Chess club" in high school? lol Might have a nerd on our hands. :) Ok by us.

Happy to see Daddy one day after work.

Kyle during one of his sick weeks. He has been doing a lot better, but we still have a lot of tests to go through. You know Kyle isn't feeling well when he falls asleep in the middle of the day!

Aiden brought this home from school the other day and totally made my day! He said he made it during free time.



Makes being a mom worth it all when you get a note like this!

High Heeled Lady

Ryleigh turned in her breast plate and shield for a pair of high heeled shoes. She LOVES high heels and can be found in them quite regularly. On this particular day I found her just hanging out looking out my bathroom window. She stood there for the longest time just talking to herself. She got a whole box full of play high heels for Christmas, but she prefers mine, and I find them all over the house as she drags them out of my closet. We are in the midst of potty training and the other day I found my black high heels at the scene of an potty training accident. They were quite wet and I am just glad she came and told me what happened and I didn't find out by putting my foot in there. :)