Let it snow (but maybe not right now)!

Timing is everything, and this week is really not the best week for snow, but oh well! Sunday morning when we woke up and I saw nothing, I figured the weather people had it all wrong, again. Connell and I went to church (Emma had a yucky nose and cough) and by the time church ended and we headed for our breakfast date to Panera, it was really snowing. It continued all day and we ended up with a few inches of snow!
Lots of fun things were canceled as a result, and I was kind of bummed, but instead I got to stay in the warm house and admire the pretty white snow!

Watching the snow fall...Emma kept going to the window and saying "schnow"

School was out Monday (& tuesday) and Taylor and Reagan spent some time with us Monday. It was about 16 degrees when they went out, and thankfully, they didn't want to stay out too long! I was hanging out in the garage, taking pictures!

Very cold face...and a cookie!

working on his shoveling skills that he just learned in Milwaukee

Reagan

Taylor

My snow angel

Cute, even with snot running down!

We stayed in our jammies all day and made marshmallow snowmen! Obviously, Connell found this very funny!

I am thinking now that I am glad God sent the snow when He did. It forced us all to SLOW down from the season's busyness. Timing is everything, and God's timing is always perfect, even when it conflicts with my plans.

Hoping we can have more snow days this winter!

Elfie!

I am sure most everyone is familiar with "The Elf on the Shelf" tradition. We were given an elf as a gift a few years ago, and this is our second year to be visited by "Elfie" as he has been named. This year, since Connell is a little older and kind of understands a little more, it's been a lot of fun. I am not really sure that he is having much influence on behavior but nonetheless, it's fun and Emma even likes to point and giggle at him.
Here are some of the silly things Elfie has been doing this month...

Crafts, Cuteness, Cooperation...

I would really really like a picture of my 2 children, in their cute Christmas shirts, in front of the tree. Together. Maybe looking at me. And MAYBE even with a smile. Yeah right!!!!
I can get cooperation from the one that is old enough to be bribed. The other, not so much.
So we moved onto something else. Making a special craft ornament for the Grandparents, and one for me of course!

The finished product!

Later that day, cooperation...but not together. Maybe I will "join" two pictures into one! Ha!

Going North...Milwaukee

We haven't been to Milwaukee since December 2008. Connell was 18 months old and I was just about to discover that I was pregnant with Emma. Last year, I wanted to go but Emma was just a tiny infant and the media (and the doctor) had me scared to death of swine flu so I didn't want to fly. I was so excited that we all were able to make the trip to Milwaukee for the annual Secret Pal party, but most importantly, so my Grandma could meet Emma for the first time and see how much Connell has grown.
There are a ton of pictures...but we don't get to Milwaukee very often and I am really excited that we got some great shots!

Watching the airplanes

Connell flew several times when he was younger, but this was his first time flying since our last time 2 years ago. He was very excited, and wanted to know if Mommy was going to "dribe" the plane?! I am happy to say that he and Emma (her first flight) were both great on the plane.

Cookie time Connell is such a big boy...he insisted at both airports that he could pull the suitcase all by himself!
Uncle Mike, Grandma & me
Grandma & Connell reading with Great Grandma
Tim & I with Grandma All the ladies! Connell & Emma playing "shoe shine" with Great Grandma. My aunt and uncle have saved all of these old toys (most of which I remember playing with when I was young) and the kids had SO much fun with all of them. storytime with Grandpa Mom & Aunt Marge getting ready for a night at the symphony - SISTERS! Can't you tell?! :)
We went to bed and Saturday morning, woke to about 4 inches of snow! BIG excitement! Emma & Grandma watching the snow play from the warmth of the houseGrab a shovel! There might have been a snowball fight... :) ...and enough snow to build a little snowman!

Emma & I ready to go to the party

A little cooperation!

Mom & Grandma

Emma & her Grandma

The Secret Pals

Saturday night, we had a fun visit with some of the "Nelson" side of the family! Here is my Dad and his "baby" sister, my Aunt Katie.

Dad & my cousin Andy

Me and Aunt Katie. I have been told my entire adult life that I look just like her. I tend to agree!

The crew! We had such a great time with everyone! We will be together again in April for a special wedding :)
When I was little, I was absolutely enthralled with my Aunt and Uncle's clothes shute! I mean, what kid wouldn't be? Connell, too, found it very appealing and was happy to send anything and everything down the shute!

Before heading to the airport, we went to the nursing home to visit Grandma. Here we are singing "jingle bells!"

Emma and the bells!

It was so special for me to bring my babies to visit Grandma. Even though it's not always easy to travel with little ones, I am so glad we did!
Santa was taking pictures at the airport in Milwaukee...Emma wasn't interested but Connell wanted to talk to Santa again!