"Snowmageddon"

You can thank President Obama for the title of this blog. Dan thought he was referring to the tactics used to push healthcare reform but he was actually talking about the storm on saturday....It snowed a record breaking 30 inches in 2 days! It reminds me of my time in Rochester, NY. We have had a blast playing in the snow and being together as a family for FOUR whole days!! Church was cancelled, which meant no teaching for Dan and I so our weekend was truly stress free and a lot of fun.

The kids and Dan jumped off of our ladder into the snow while it was still falling. (Can you see Dan's car in the background?)

We ventured three doors down on Saturday for a birthday party. (Dan is in the process of plowing the way for us in this picture.) It was really nice to spend some time with neighbors and the kids loved the ice cream cake (a first for them).

When Dan heard about the snow storm that was coming he pulled out the ruler and measured Tess to show how much it was going to snow, all the way up to her forehead! That night Jake said the sweetest most concerned prayer for Tess. He prayed that she would be safe and able to "breath" when the snow was up to her forehead.

Jacob LOVES the snow. He spent FOUR hours out in it yesterday! The cold doesn't phase him a bit, pure HEAVEN!

Dan spent FIVE hours out shoveling snow with neighbors and the kids. Check out his civic!

We made lots of yummy food, played games, had our own church meeting, and have had a fabulous time together! Abigail has been an absolute JOY the last couple of days. I let her cry it out this last weekend and now I think some real sleep might just be headed my way, more than 2 hours at a time! Another foot of snow is headed our way tomorrow! I really wish I had bought the kids snow boots this year. (Dan went out to buy some for them before the snow storm hit but according to the sales associate, the winter season was over. We've done it the southern way, bread bags for water proofing and socks for warmth! We're southern, you know!)

As a side note- we just heard that it may snow another 10-20 inches tommorow. If it does that will be over 57 inches of snow in one week (it snowed 7 inches last tuesday night). WOW!!! Dan has been off since friday !!

Love that dimple!

Best of Friends!

Thanks Laura for taking these great pictures!

One of those days!

Tess stuck a bead up her nose today. I didn't see it happened and didn't believe her until I used a flashlight -- sure enough! Luckily after lots of blowing out it came without the assistance of a doctor! Yes, it has been one of those days.

Go Scott Brown!!!

***Here's the "It's a Dan Blog" Disclaimer....This is a blog from Dan and not Becky, and is not intended to alienate or offend the crowd that follows the news of the Barnhurst Family from day to day****

Having said that- now the message I never thought I'd write. CONGRATULATIONS to Scott Brown, the new REPUBLICAN Senator from Massachusetts !!

A

Our New Christmas Tradition

Christmas in Maryland would not be complete without my two sisters. They flew in Monday the 21st and we had a great time! Here are the highlights:

1. Dan took the kids to Bounce You while my sisters and I went shopping (Anne Taylor we love you!) and spent the evening with good family friends.

2. This year we did gingerbread houses with the Burnetts. Logan and Bella thuroughly enjoyed themselves (but really, what child wouldn't with a table full of candy! ) Bella was the funniest to watch. She ate tons of frosting and enjoyed her "christmas tree cone" before her mom had a chance to decorate it! Jacob and Tess made sure to cover every inch of their houses!

3. Downtown D.C.--the National Aquarium

4. Fondue with the Brewers, we've decided to make fondue a new Christmas Eve tradition! My sister sent us costumes to wear for our Christmas story (made in China). They are AWESOME!

5. Christmas day was fun and relaxing despite my nasty cold and fever! Santa was VERY good to all of us this year! There were lots of hidden gifts, treasure hunts, and string (my favorite this year was the gift taped to our ceiling).

Jacob got a race track from Santa and Tess loves her dog, Brownie, that barks and wags its tail.

6. I couldn't let my nasty cold and fever get in the way of enjoying my sisters so we took off to Gettysburg on Saturday. We stopped first at the visitors center. The best part of this trip has to be Tess and her excitement over the magical flushing toilets! HILARIOUS!! The kids did great while we spent 2 hours driving the battle field.

Notice the t-shirt "Breinholt University" made by

my parents for our reunion this summer!

I loved spending time with my sisters just talking! They were so helpful with Jake, Tess and Abby! We love you, thanks for coming!!

Prep-ing for the Holidays

Before Aimee and Liz came we worked on Tess's BED frame. Jake loved the sanding part of it...he worked REALLY hard! (Notice that doggy was helping right along side Tess.)

Tess loved the painting part. She still has paint in her hair!

Also, Jake had his preschool Christmas program. I thoroughly enjoyed being the proud parent! He sang along with his teachers and classmates like a pro, was sweet and shy when it was his turn to take part in the Christmas story, and loved making gingerbread houses with his friends.

The weekend before Aimee and Liz flew in we had a fun snow storm that cancelled Sunday church and shut down the government on Monday (equals day off for Dan!). This storm left a beautiful winter wonderland and lots of fun family time.

After the snow stopped....

Lots of this....

Abigail is Four Months Old!

Today was Abigail's four month check-up. As I listened to a newborn cry in the doctors office today I realized that my LITTLE baby is not so little anymore (at least her cry isn't)! I enjoyed my time with just Abby since Dan took the day off and stayed home with Jake and Tess. Abby is right on target with all of her milestones. She is a whopping 15.4 lbs and 24 inches long. She smiles, talks alot, and is able to hold on to toys and play with them more now. She loves to stand!

Notice the burp cloth...they are pretty much attached to her constantly!

Abigail can be so serious and very observant. She could win a stare down contest with anyone. I love to watch her eyes as she watches Jake and Tess, the are so intense. I can tell she is itching to join right in the fun. She has a special connection with Jake. She has laughed only a couple of times, tonight was one of those times. Jake was being silly and Abby just laughed and laughed... we were all in awe of his ability.

I started her on rice cereal about 2 weeks ago and she is doing great. It has helped with the spitting up a bit but not with sleeping better at night!

Her first time out in the snow...she didn't last long.

This hat made us laugh--a bit big eh!!