Finally!

Alabama has turned into quiet the winter destination the past couple of years.  It's the only place in the south you can get record snow storms and 70 degree weather with possible tornadoes within a week of each other!

Earlier this week we were warned that a huge snowstorm (huge for us is two inches, let's be real) was on the horizon and we needed to prepare.  Temperatures dropped, schools delayed and next thing we knew we were bracing for six inches of snow.  The girls were SO excited.  I'll admit David and I were too.

After our escapade last year, I'd much rather be home in the snow and ice, than out trying to get home.  So I was thankful the schools closed and my workplace.  David was able to work from home - so we were ready for some snow.

And it rained.  And rained.  And rained.  It was a freezing rain with some ice here and there.  We were about 25 miles from the bigger snow 3 inches and in many places 6-9 inches.  We were so sad. But just as we were giving up, it started to snow at 7:15 p.m. last night and the girls were beside themselves.

SO excited!  FINALLY!

We let them play for a good 20 minutes while it was coming down hard and beautifully.  Then off to bed.  We told them we'd play in the morning.  We got enough to dust everything pretty well.  But not enough to last past 6:00 a.m.  Bummer.

Using snow from Daddy's truck to make the snowman

But we made the best of it and played (David and the girls, I don't do snow).  They even managed a snowman.  Sweet little, pitiful thing!

Aunt B, Uncle C, Pop, Gran, Stace, Jamie and Carrie are all still snowed in and schools/businesses closed.  We wish we had some of their snow, but it will be nice to have one normal day this week and start to get back to our routine.  We've loved every minute of delayed school/work start times and playing together!

Sweet things and their wee snowman

We can't wait for the next snow - but until then we'll enjoy our 70 degree temps and rain next week!

Mama was thrilled her snowman was still alive after school!

Run Cat Run!

Catherine Ellis is loving kindergarten - and running has been a big part of her kindergarten year.  She started off the school year running in PE - a few laps here and there each time she went - and next thing you know, she'd run 25 miles!  Her school participates in the Mercedes Marathon - a local marathon in downtown Birmingham that gives children the opportunity to fall in love with running.

Ready to run!

Proud mama

You'll remember Catherine Ellis and David ran in her school's fundraiser - Turkey Trot - in November and she ran a fast mile!  She's been running for a couple of years with me in 5K's (largely riding in the stroller, but as she's gotten older she wants to run some) so I think we've sparked a love for her - and if nothing else, it's just plain fun for her right now!

Waving to Daddy and Caroline

Getting ready to line up

And fun we had last weekend!  Elementary aged children run the Saturday before the marathon on Sunday morning - it's all fun!

It was a bit chilly and windy but her gear kept her warm!

Lining up with the kindergartners

Catherine Ellis ran the Turkey Trot with David - so this was her very first race all by herself.  I didn't think a thing about it until I saw a ton of parents running with their wees.  I didn't worry though because I knew she could do it - it was just a mile and if she ran super fast, it would be over in just a few minutes.  And fast my girl ran!

Running hard and fast (by herself!)!

We talked about running and not stopping (unless she just had to). David followed her for a bit on the route and snapped the picture above. She's got her hands in her shirt because it's cold, but it didn't slow her down.

Catherine Ellis started in the second pack of kindergartners (there were three) and she ended up being in the top 10 that finished.  She was the fourth little girl to come in!  WOO HOO!.

Listening to directions about starting slow so no one falls

There she goes -she's the little white headband to the right of the middle 

I was waiting for her at the finish line - and as soon as I arrived, I knew we had a problem.  There waiting for them to finish were Aubie, Big Al and Blaze (UAB).  Catherine Ellis is scared to death of mascots - has been since the day she was old enough to recognize one.  I was afraid it wouldn't end well.

But she surprised me - she rounded the corner, saw them and kept running until she got within a few feet.  Then came to a dead stop and starting crying.  There was a sweet volunteer on the other side of the gates (I was on the parent side, too far away to help) and she held Cat's hand while she ran past the mascots.  As soon as she got past them she was fine!

Finish line in sight!

We were all SO proud of our Cat Cat!  She did great!  She's ready to run again next year and Caroline says she'll think about it (good thing she's got a few years!).

Proud little

High fives!

Sweet Daddy and CE

Maybe 10 years from now, you'll be reading about the track star we have on our hands - we can't wait to see what the future holds for her!  

Lily's First Birthday!

Our precious niece, Lily, celebrated her first birthday a couple of weeks ago.  Time flies when you're having fun.  She's crawling and toddling all over the place.  Such a fun age!

We headed to Auburn to spend a Saturday celebrating her and visiting with our family.  It was so much fun!  The girls can hardly keep their hands off Lily - they love a baby.  And she loves to play most of the time, such a good sport.

We had lunch, cake and even a hayride!  Thank you for inviting us to your big day Lily.  May this be your most fun year yet!

While in Auburn we got to see the Evans and our friend, Dalton and her mommy.  We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening celebrating another sweet friend, Mary Bentley.  Yay for all day birthday parties with friends and family!

Soaking up the Sun

It's been a dreary winter thus far - the sun's had a hard time finding it's way through all the rain and clouds, so when the sun does come out - we soak it up!

A few weeks ago it was a beautiful, mild winter day and the sun was shining bright!  We hurried our morning errands so we could head to the Zoo to soak up as much vitamin D as possible with our sweet Solomon ladies!

We hit the train first - always a crowd pleaser!

 Love this!

The Alpine slide was up next - Allison and I joined in on the fun too - it was quite the slide and the girls loved it!

 CE ready to slide

 This wee is always up for a thrill

Wildest wees of all!

And last, but not least, me and my scared of heights self - but I went!  I couldn't be the odd lady out!

We visited the rhinos, elephants and fish as we made our way to merry-go-round.  Another crowd favorite.  I think we rode six times and switched animals and mommies each time.  Lots of fun!  It was the best day!

We can't wait to go back again!  We love the Birmingham Zoo - and thanks to Meme our membership allows us to go anytime we want!

Zoe the Camel

Epiphany is a big celebration in the Episcopal Church and one I've always looked forward to.  It's a day we recognize and celebrate the arrival of the wise men.  It's also a super fun celebration for the kids and St. Mary's does not take Epiphany lightly.

Every year we all bring a branch from our Christmas tree to burn in the Epiphany fire - lots of fun, but this year was extra special. Our guest of honor was Zoe the camel and as you can imagine the kids were thrilled.  It's not often you see a camel at church.

Zoe was a good sport and the girls and their sweet friend, Mary Bentley got to pet her, admire her and think about what it must be like to ride such a long way on a camel!

Of course no Epiphany celebration is complete without a trip to Chick-fil-a with cute, sassy little ladies!

Bowling with friends

We had such a fun Christmas break!  David and I were both fortunate enough to be off from Christmas Eve until after New Year's Day and we soaked up that time with friends and family. Lazy days, fun days and in between.

It rained a lot during the break - there were two sunny days in the almost nine days that we were off. It called for creativity, something I don't have much of.  But thanks to smart mama friends like Allison Liles I don't have to reinvent the wheel - if she's got something that works, I'm going to try it. So bowling we did!

Caroline's first bowl

Success!

The kids loved every minute of it.  We met our friends, the Farrells, at the bowling ally and lasted two hours bowling!  We could hardly believe it.  Even the grown-ups had fun.  It was Catherine Ellis's second time to bowl and Caroline's first - they caught on quickly and we had fun - even if it was raining!

 Wyatt, CE, Caroline and Mary Ryan

A Very Cain Christmas

This year was the very first year we spent Christmas at home - it was wonderful!  Typically we spend Christmas Eve at home and then hit the road to see various family, also fun, but logistically difficult. Our big move made us want to stick close to home this year, so we invited Meme to spend the week of Christmas with us and the Cains to join us as we hosted Christmas day.  Aunt Betty and Uncle Chip dropped by too and it was a grand time!  Best Christmas yet!

Catherine Ellis was out of school the week of Christmas so she and Meme got to spend good quality time together working on fun projects - one of which was prepping for her role as a cow in the Christmas Eve pageant at church.  Meme is much craftier than I, but even with that, we're not master crafters.  A dear friend loaned me black felt and encouraged me to try the homemade route for her costume.  So crafty we got!  We did pretty well huh?

Caroline was a star and it just so happened that their were stars from the year before that we borrowed that fit the bill.  She and MB were the cutest stars out there!

The Christmas pageant is always a wonderful, chaotic time, but one that I look forward to each and every year.  They never disappoint.

We came home, ate dinner and made some yummy treats for Santa!  The girls were so excited about Christmas morning and ready to go to sleep so they could wake up and see what was left.  They get three gifts each - which is perfect since they have so many people that love them and spoil them rotten!.  They were thrilled they got everything they asked for (Santa was really listening this year).

Ready to go scootin'

Caroline's letter to Santa ... hahahaha

Santa even brought Meme a gift!

Santa must have liked his snack

The Cains joined us for Christmas lunch - I loved hosting - we're so thankful to have a home large enough now to host everyone.  It was a great blessing to all be able to sit at the same table and celebrate.  Aunt B and Uncle C stopped in for dessert and more present opening - it was a wild and fun time, that's for sure.

 Sweet Meme and her girls

 Christmas morning (pre-shower) family pic

 Mama was ready to scoot!

 Our first Christmas celebration in the new house

 Singing happy birthday to Jesus

The girls had more toys than they knew what to do with - it was super fun watching them get so excited about each gift.  It was a wonderful, peaceful, low-key Christmas with family. We are so thankful for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Merry Christmas to you and yours!