The Big Chill

Audrey crawling through the prism!

We are hunkering down here in the Chicagoland area, preparing for the "storm of the century". Roughly 20 or more inches of snow are expected over the next 24-48 hours. The stores are low or out of basics such as water, bread, milk, etc. Fortunately, we have all the necessities and equipment. While I am always skeptical of the weatherman, there seems to be a unanimous voice that snow and wind and dangerous weather is in the forecast for the next few days. While the Alaska in my blood is curious about such a blizzard, the potential danger is concerning. We will take pictures and post later if it really is a record-setting snow.

-a

PS- Here are some pictures of our trip to the DuPage Children's Museum this weekend!

At the water tub exploration center

Running through the light-activated sound room! PARTY DANCE TIME!!!



Blasting the air guns with Daddy!



Leaving with Daddy and some smiles

End of the Month

Audrey laughing at the camera!

Greeting All--

Things have been calm and enjoyable as of late. I know my lack of posting indicates that other things have been consuming time and energy. While the new year has been wonderful thus far, I have also found myself more focused on family and work than anything else.

Stretching out to play at Uncle Bob's house

January has been a nice month, despite the cold and winter constant. While I actually enjoy the snow a bit, it is the continual gray and darkness that I find challenging. After the holiday season in December, it is always a strange, gloomy transition into the new year. However, I am looking forward to 2011 very much.

Audrey posing and showing off her Sunday Dress!

It is exciting to think about Audrey turning three years old! I have been looking back at years past on this blog and find myself continually gawking at earlier photos of our little rainbow warrior. It is also startling to approach the realization of how quickly three years can pass! While there are moments that may drag-on, the overwhelming majority of time seemingly passes in seconds.

2011 will also be a nice year professionally because I will complete my studies in educational leadership, and be one more school year closer to tenure! I have been selected by my principal to attend a technology conference at the end of February, so that will be exciting to study various tools and applications and be able to utilize them in my classroom and school.

Playing with Cousin Gail while Great Grandma Flesher watches the Bears Game

We are also very excited about the summer of 2011 because Grandpa Ted and Grandma Lisa will be visiting from Texas in July to take us to a U2 concert in downtown Chicago at Soldier Field!!! While I have never explored U2 music much, I am over-the-hill excited to see my family and watch Ted and Audrey continue their relationship and to have a chance to share some food, laughter, and make some more memories.

Audrey JIT: Jedi in Training

Last week we were in South Bend, enjoying some time with the family. It was my 31st birthday, and we had some cake and I got a few very nice gifts. Despite a Chicago Bears loss to the Packers, I greatly enjoyed my time on Sunday, especially the times when Audrey helped me blow-out my candles! As usual, Audrey loves dividing her time with all of the wonderful people in Indiana, including cousin Gail, Grandma Dixie, Auntie Ann, and trading jabs with Uncle Bob and Grandpa Cip! Thank you again everyone for the nice times and thoughtful gifts!

Now we are home, and our family is just waking-up on this dreary Saturday morning. Audrey is snacking on a bowl of dry cereal and a cup of milk, while the dog eats her morning chow and kim sleeps upstairs. While there are so many things I think about and goals we have this year, it is nice to have no set plans this weekend. Sometimes, with all of the planning and scheming, it is refreshing to have open time and space to let the unexpected in.

-a

January Slumbers

Greetings Family and Friends,

Things have been calm yet in constant motion around the household! Last night Kim and I attended a birthday party in downtown Chicago at a place called Texas de Brazil. It is one of those Brazilian steakhouses where you have a paper disc, with one side red and the other side green. When you flip it to green, servers carrying skewers of various meats just appear and you select whatever you want. From fillet Mignon to garlic flank steak to Parmesan chicken, they had it all. It was a very nice dinner, and needless to say, we all surpassed our comfort levels in terms of servings!

Abel and Kim at Texas de Brazil

Audrey, meanwhile, spent the evening with my friends, the Cederblad family out in Villa Park. She attended a Green Bay Packer party and was introduced to the I-Pad, which she is now enamored with! I was a little nervous when we got there that she was wearing a Packer shirt, but she asked me to take it off, so that was comforting. :-)

Audrey playing and experimenting with snow in the living room!

The snow has been a regular happening these past two weeks. The ground is covered with a layer of permaice, and the layers of white make things look calm and fresh. My classes have started again, so it is busy weeks, which is nice. Now,it is time for the Bears game and, while I was born in Seattle, the Bears are my team. BEARS!

-a

Happy New Year from Audrey

January Update

New Year, same smile!

The new year has been a sleepy, cold one thus far. We keep warm inside with an abundance of puzzles, games, painting, books, and the occasional PBS Kids show. I am back to teaching and my grad classes start this week, so things will be back to a normal routine. It is exciting to realize that this is my final semester and graduation is just around the corner in a couple months. From there, I will begin to view my options in terms of administrative positions and opportunities.

Hmmm, I wonder what list she is on???

Lounging with a cookie before gift opening.

We had a very enjoyable winter holiday season, including a visit from my mother and sister. It is always a special time when family visits and has a chance to see Audrey and see the life we've created for ourselves out here in the Midwest.

The annual reading of The Grinch!

The winter break was good, although I felt as if we never stopped moving. Whether it was family, shopping, preparing, driving, or playing...we were always on the go. So it is somewhat refreshing to get back to work and have a chance to get a little rest after a hectic, but wonderful, holidays. Also, I get to start looking forward to the spring and (ghasp) summer period of the year!

Audrey and her new Tricycle!

This weekend we traveled part way to South Bend, but turned around when the snow became to hazardous. Apparently, about 36 inches has fallen in the last two days. So, we are having to spend a quiet weekend at home watching football, playing with many wonderful gifts, napping, and reading books. It is a tough life....but a wonderful one!

She still has a halo, even though she ate Santa's cookies!

-a