Running in heels and wet socks

We have been spoiled lately with Rex not wanting to spend a lot of time outdoors. This fall, we had to tie him up when we let him outside or risk running around the neighborhood shaking the treat can to get him to come back home. So it was a pleasant surprise when the weather turned colder and Rex would go outside, do his business, and quickly get back into the house. No tie-up needed.

The weather warmed up yesterday, and Rex started taking longer bathroom breaks. Earlier in the day, I let him out the front and he took off down the street. Mike and I ran after him frantically as he was headed for the main road and eventual roadkill. I can only imagine the entertainment we provided for our neighbors as I pranced down the street in my high-heeled boots screaming "Rex! Rex!" while Mike was a few paces ahead of me yelling "treat! treat!" We managed to catch him when he stopped to relieve himself. Ah, fun times.

But the funniest story was my Dad's Rex experience later that afternoon - just as my parents were getting ready to leave, Grampy announced that he needed some dry socks. He let Rex out and Rex decided to go exploring. He called him back but then realized that Rex was out for a joy-run. So Grampy took off in just his slippers, losing both of them along the way (hey, there's 22 inches of snow in the backyard, remember?) Rex is so light he just walks across the top of the snow, but us humans sink. So poor Grampy caught up with Rex in his sopping wet socks, stopping to retrieve his lost slippers on the way back.

For those of you who wonder how we can't catch the dog, the little guy is FAST. Seriously, it's like trying to catch a squirrel.

So we're back to tying him up again. If I want a workout, I'll just go to the Y. I'm sure the neighbors will be disappointed that they won't get to watch us run around like idiots anymore.

Christmas Morning!

The boys woke up at a decent hour this Christmas morning - I think Henry was in our room at 5:30am. For those of you who disagree that this is a decent hour, let me state that there have been Christmas mornings where the number on the clock has had a 4 in it. No joke.

Heading down the staircase to see the presents!
Both boys received gift certificates for restaurants in their stockings. Henry got Applebee's (of course), and Georgie got Azul Tequila, a Mexican restaurant here in Eau Claire. Georgie has inherited Grampy's love of Mexican food, and asks to be taken to "Taco Bells" all the time. When he orders at a Mexican restaurant, he orders "One taco johns, please, no lettuce and NOT spicy. And some rice."
Henry was thrilled to receive his first Packers jersey from Grandma and Grandpa.
Ice cream sundaes for Christmas dinner! (Hey, I managed to make a turkey the night before while suffering from the worst case of strep throat ever. I took Christmas day off).
The big present was the Wii - they were so excited to open it.

Christmas Eve

Reading "The Night Before Christmas"
Santa's cookies and carrots for the reindeer - all ready to go!
"Tasting" some of Santa's cookies - we wouldn't want to give him stale cookies, right?
Hey! Leave some for Santa!!

On Christmas Eve I was still feeling pretty lousy and the antibiotics hadn't kicked in fully, but I did manage to get dinner made. Mike took the boys out to lunch so I could rest so I was ready for the evening's festivities. We enjoyed a yummy dinner, a little "A Christmas Story," and of course got ready for Santa's visit.

Merry Christmas Eve!

So I caught Henry's strep throat. Spent most of day and night in bed watching TV and being jealous of people who are in comas. HORRIBLE. So instead of prepping for Christmas, like I had planned, I watched no less than 10 hours of straight Bravo. Hey, that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills marathon wasn't going to watch itself.

Hopefully happy Christmas Eve/Christmas Day photos will be up in a couple of days. Merry Christmas everyone!!

Rex & George, BFFs

Here he is in his new sweater. He's such a fun little dog. He's so tolerant of the kids, especially George, who treats/hauls him around like a stuffed animal. Despite all the torture George inflicts on poor Rex, Rex still goes willingly to him when he is called and follows him around the house. Go figure.

What we've been up to this week...

Out playing in the snow today.
Mike spent a good hour this afternoon outside with the boys making this snow fort. It also has two tunnels - one that goes out to the street, the other to the driveway.
A picture of the front of our house - the snow is actually quite pretty. (I will not be saying/thinking this when it's still here in April).
Manning the snow fort.

Not much going on here this week. Henry had strep throat, so he stayed home from school on Friday.He's fine now. He's had strep throat so many times this past year that he is excellent at identifying the symptoms himself so we get to the doctor pretty quickly. Otherwise, here's the rundown:

1. We are now getting Bravo in HD, so I can watch the Real Housewives, Flipping Out, and other terrible Bravo shows that I love in buttery HD goodness.

2. I suffered a major lapse in judgment and thought it would be a good idea to string popcorn and cranberries with the kids. My kids and needles? What was I thinking? Needless to say, I ended up stringing the popcorn and cranberries while the kids sat on the couch eating popcorn and watching Disney's "Prep and Landing" for the 6 millionth time.

3. Rex got a new sweater in time for Christmas. $5 at Walmart.

4. I hate Walmart.

5. We are expecting another "major winter storm" tomorrow. FUN! 5 to 8 inches. Seriously, where are we going to put all of this snow??

More Blizzard Pictures

During last weekend's blizzard, much fun was had playing with Aunt Meg's iPad. I won't be able to get one of those any time soon due to the price and the very real possibility that I may not ever leave the house again if I had one.
Uncle Doug and the kiddos in the big box that George's early Christmas present came in - but that's a post for a later time. It warrants a post of its own.
Georgie was very into cookie baking, decorating, and eating.
Henry was just into the decorating and eating. Actually, mostly the eating part.

During the blizzard last weekend Mimi, Grampy, Aunt Meg, and Uncle Doug were in town so they were here to witness the 22 inches of snow we got in 1 day. Thankfully, all we had planned was baking anyway, so we got that done - sugar cookies and Italian cookies all in one day!

The Polar Express

Hangin' with S.C. at Kate's house

All aboard!!

We were lucky enough once again this year to get invited on a friends' Polar Express ride (thanks, Upsidedown Kate!) Henry and George were so excited this year, and it was especially exciting for me because the trolley that usually doubles as the Polar Express was out of commission so they just HAD to put us in a warm, snuggly limo bus instead. We were greeted by Santa at the door at Kate's house where the boys got their tickets and some snacks for the ride (sweetened Chex Mix anyone?). Then we boarded the bus and headed up to Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls to see the lights while the movie "The Polar Express" played on the bus. After Irvine Park our conductor took us to look at some of the residential light displays in the area, including the "wacky" house that's by Henry's school. The house is TINY yet they have a zillion Christmas decorations on their lawn. I am so baffled as to where they store all the stuff. I am tempted to knock on their door and ask. The best part is they have this reindeer head mounted above their front door with a blinking red nose. Take note Clark Griswold: these people have your number.

That is a lot of friggin snow

I am still unsure of the final snow totals, but yesterday we got between 14 and 24 inches of snow. All in one day! Here was the view of our backyard yesterday afternoon - we actually got even more snow after this. Now the weather is supposed to get FRIGID and windy. Whoo hoo! Winter is here, my friends.

Keeping warm?

Georgie got ahold of my scarf yesterday and was trying to "tie it like Mommy does." You try explaining how to tie a scarf to a 3 year old. He can't even tie his shoes.

Rex

I haven't posted a picture of Rex in awhile. Grandpa taught him to "sit" while he was here. He's still confined to the kitchen/family room. We are working on teaching him that carpets and rugs are not an appropriate place to relieve oneself.

Thanksgiving 2010

Grandma and Grandma flew out from New Jersey and joined us for Thanksgiving. It was nice to have 2 extra sets of hands around to help entertain the kiddos. They did crafts, read books, and played with the train set in the basement. The day after Thanksgiving we trekked out to get our Christmas tree - our Black Friday tradition!