Snow Bunny

Still on snow days for the rest of the week; I only worked Monday!  This storm has been so bad that over 75,000 people between southern Indiana and northwestern Kentucky are still without power, thankfully we are not included in that number.  We have again had many branches fall around out house, none have hit anything, but it is definitely a scary sound to hear while taking out the dog!  Gwen and I have been keeping busy around the house, playing hard, being loud, and loving every minute together!  It is like Christmas all over again!  We are just so thankful to be with power so we are warm!  I guess we will just have to enjoy another fun day with me off from work--such a hard thing to do!

Outside is an icy snowy mess, but it does look kinda pretty (I think the final measure was 3 inches of snow, 1/2 inch of ice, topped with 6 inches of snow)

"I love sledding!"

"Mommy is crazy!  Just look what she did to my hair today!  It is outrageous!

With so much snow, naturally I wanted to play in it.  Gwen enjoyed her first time sledding too!  We didn't have a sled, so I made on with an inner-tube, towel, some tape, and Pooka's leash!  Tomorrow's plan is to make snow angels!

First crazy wind storm, now a crazy ice storm!

So just wanted to give an update or all of you.  We are all safe and warm, but we have a severe ice storm in the area.  It has been going on since yesterday--first a couple inches of snow and them came the freezing rain.  This morning Brad woke me before he left for work, yes he had to go, which was about 2:30 central time.  He was concerned about the power going out and me not having a way out since my car hasn't moved since Monday.  Since then I couldn't go back to sleep (knowing the power could go out at any moment, my car is frozen in, and the tree in the front yard could fall into out bedroom at any time), so instead I got up and packed a bag for all of us in case we need to go somewhere and then I braved to rain to unthaw my car and move it away from the nice tree I park it under.  Now 4:15 am, all that work is done and I am contemplating showering in the downstairs bath before Gwen wakes up.  We hope that the power stays on, that nothing falls on the house, and that we stay warm.  Please keep us in your prayers today--just in case.  We love you.

My little helper

Gwen said her first word on Wednesday! "Daddy" has been called twice now, to the correct person! She still loves me to pieces, but his name was easier. No hard feelings. I have been busy with school, snow days, and keeping up with Gwen. She is basically running everywhere and getting into every thing in sight and everything hidden! I love watching her explore and find new things--it is all so exciting!

Gwen has been working so hard around the house, I just had to share what she is doing...

"This looks like a good fort!"

Gwen on a mission to find a new fort since she grew out of the exersaucer fort; however we don't like this one very much.

Gwen is always trying to find ways to help me out. After we had some drywall put up in a couple closets, she was determined to help me clean up the white dust.

Too funny!

Brad and Dawn in 1984

Gwen and Grace in January 2009

Gwen is 10 months old!

10 months and loving it!

Happy 10 month and 10 days birthday to me!  I am so excited that it was my birthday, almost 10 days ago now, because I am such a big girl!  I am running now and getting into everything!  I have my very own gated community in our house!  It is soooo cool!  I have all these white gates to play with and Pooka can't get at my toys!  Daddy still has to put the one in the hall upstairs, I think he said it was going up tonight, so I will have an even bigger community!  I also have 6 teeth now (2 on bottom and 4 on top)!  What else can I tell you about me now....I can't think of anything else about me, but Mommy is a real Speech Pathologist now!  Her official papers came in the mail on Saturday and she was so excited!

Now for some pictures!

"Great Grandma D sent me my very first Cabbage Patch Kid.  I want to get in there and play with you!"

"Watch out!  The worm is coming!"

"Gracie, they are looking at us again.  Look busy so they won't make us smile again"

"I know it's cold, but don't I need to be able to move?  Escaping is taking a lot longer with this on"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!

Gwen meets Santa--shortly after waking from a nap

As you may notice from the date...we have been very busy!  This break from work has been anything but a break, however I have enjoyed every minute of it!  A quick over view of our family's, especially Gwen's, happenings...

*Brad was able to get the entire week off for Christmas, so on Tuesday, December 23rd we took a 12 hour road trip to Chicago to celebrate the holiday with my family (everyone was home too!)  the trip was a bit longer than normal due to a short visit in Indianapolis (to see Jenn and Andy) and a long slow drive to Chicago because of some ice on the road--no biggie now!  Gwen loved her first Christmas and amazed everyone with her walking skills--not to mention giving anyone who followed her a work out.  She received many gifts from her generous fans and loves all of them!  This weeks favorite is a Fisher Price door/play house and her Ultimate wagon!  Gwen was also attended her first official tea party at the Ritz!  I think she enjoyed it, and I know I did.  Upon returning home that evening, we found a Wii appeared at the Casey house and we all had a blast joining in on the fun!  The trip home was much a much smoother and shorter one (even with a short visit in Indy) and we were home safely by Sunday afternoon.

"Joey, this is the best wagon ever!!!!!!"

"Go horsie! Go!"

"Jenn, I love you! (and your dogs too!)

"Great things come in small packages, right Gampy?"

"Hello, come on in"

"The perfect princess tea for Gwen and me...."

"Now do I look like Mommy?"

*Happy 2009!  Gwen partied with all of us at Gram and Poppy's house, but didn't quite make it to the ball drop!  Her New Year's Resolutions include (she told me earlier):

"1. Continue to amaze all around me

2. Be as cute as I can be

3. Grow taller so I can reach more things

4. Potty train myself by next Christmas

5. Say "Mommy" and "Daddy" (maybe even "Pooka No!")"

My resolutions include:

1. Get my abs back

2. Keep this house organized and finish some projects

3. Make some "me time".  We'll see how mine go.

HAPPY 2009!