Vicki turns 35 years old!

The Parched Painter (Walpole)

BFFs for 30+ years

Wine in hand, blank canvas ahead

Van Gogh's Blossom. . . magnifique!

Breakfast brunch (with cupcakes!)

Kitty rolls over to say, "happy birthday. . . meow give me some cake!"

Vicki,

I had such a great time with you. . . I always do.  I love how comfortable we are with each other.  I love how you are the closest I got to having a sister.  I love how you are so aunt-like to my kids.  I love how I know we will be friends till we're wrinkly.  I love imagining our tropical vacation once we have more disposable income.  But for now, I love our commitment to once a month get togethers doing what we love best:  chatting, movies and sleeping in :) well I'm not so good at that last one anymore.  

I love you, Vicki!  May you have at least 35 more birthday parties :)

Stacie

Gavin got his haircut!

On Mia's 7th birthday, I looked back at her 6th birthday post and noticed that Gavin's hair was short.  I can't believe it got that long in just a year!!  The main reason his hair is long is just because he hates getting it cut, but he has recently  been asking for it to be short again.  Since our power was out and the house freezing, this was the perfect chance to get it done.  He was such a brave champ and sat so still!

here is the BEFORE picture. . . 

February snow (9" + power outage)

Snow Day for Mia, Dave took a personal day, Stacie worked from home and therefore Gavin stayed home too (his new school is by Stacie's work).  

30 degrees and the snow has been coming for hours!

This tree has given up and is slumped over in defeat.

The birds are sad the bird feeder is empty 

(I hear them call "come back Ed")

Fire pit

warm inside

Here is what a snow day looks like at our house: 

magnetic doll wedding

At the end of the day, just after the power went out for good, the sun peaked out to tease us

We bundled up in layers (pajamas under footie pajamas) and got extra blankets on the bed.  Then we put our perishables in the shed.  The night was okay, not too cold but the next morning was frigid and the power was still out.  We made a packed agenda to stay out of the house:  Target at 8:30 am, the library until 11:30 am, Cosi for lunch, then haircuts for the kids (next post).  When we got home at 2 pm, the power was back on and I promptly thawed by the fire, which has a darn electric starter and corroded battery pack that will be fixed immediately.