The Next Ice Age

In case any of you haven't heard on the news, our area recently got blasted with an ice storm, the likes of which I haven't seen since living in Iowa, and which Brian hasn't ever seen in his life. Luckily, we're one of the lucky ones who didn't lost power (yet, anyway). Since we were all stuck at home yesterday, not able to go anywhere, we spent part of the day outside sledding with the kids and admiring the awesome power of Mother Nature. Here's some of the pictures we took:

You've gotta click on the pictures to see them bigger and check out the amazing detail.

A tree in our complex that snapped in half from the weight of the ice.

Kylee in front of a tree in front of our complex - this tree doesn't usually touch the ground.

Brian trying to scrape our car off, which seriously was an all day project. It took him ages just to get the car door open.

This is how thick the ice was that Brian chipped off our windshield. SOLID ICE!

Bangs!

Well, I did something today that I swore I would never do - I cut bangs on one of my girls, Makayla to be exact. Her hair's been bugging me for awhile now, since it's starting to get long. I feel like if I don't put ponytails or a barrette in it, her hair just falls in her face all day and she looks like a little orphan. But since she always pulls the barrettes out, I decided maybe we'd try cutting some bangs. So, I did it! But now I need some feedback on this risky maneuver. Whatcha all think? Bangs or no bangs? Did I make a mistake and need to grow them out now?

Here's the before and after pic:

Before

After. I think I may have cut her bangs a titch too short.

Random Family Pics

So, I have tons of random pictures from our trip to Utah, so I thought I'd just toss them in here for everyone's enjoyment.

Ila getting a horsey ride from Kylee

Andrew and Kylee watching a show together

6 of the 7 cousins: Ila, Benson, Tanner, Makayla, Andrew, and Kylee

Stacy reading stories to Andrew, Ila, and Kylee

Nathan and Andrew

Makayla being silly and wearing someone else's socks

Brooklyn with her dad Sterling

I just had to put in this picture of Brian's mom and Karen playing boxing on the Wii. She'll probably beat me for putting this picture up, but at least I didn't post the video!

The girls with their Grandma Olsen

Me and the girls with my Grandma Phillips

My gorgeous sister-in-law Stacy. Can you believe she's only 13?!

Andrew and Kylee with their beloved Aunt Stacy

Salt Lake Temple at Temple Square

The nativity scene on the reflecting pool at Temple Square

Becky and Kylee's Birthday

I thought I'd put pictures from mine and Kylee's birthday together since they're only a day apart. On my birthday, Brian took me shopping and out to lunch, and then in the afternoon we took off to go down to Karen and Brian's house in Mt. Pleasant. We basically just had a big New Years Eve party and spent the night, which was really fun. The next day, Kylee's birthday, we took the kids to McDonald's and had a little birthday party, with present opening, and of course playing at the Playland. I think the kids had a great time. Kylee ended up getting a guitar (which has resulted in many "concerts"), Leggos, Candyland, a Disney read-along book, and a Spiderman Mr. Potato Head (Spider Spud). When we got back home (to Kentucky), she had a doll house waiting from Nana Phillips, and some Sleeping Beauty figurines from us to go with the house.

Me and my girls on my birthday

Kylee's birthday party at McDonald's

Tanner, Kylee, and Ila

Andrew and Ila helping Kylee open her presents

Kylee treating us to one of her impromptu concerts

Christmas in Utah, part 2: Fun in the snow

So, it snowed about 2 feet of fresh snow while we were in Utah! We haven't seen snow like that in a LONG time, so of course the kiddos had to get out and play in it, and man did they have a blast!

Kylee playing in the snow after the first big snow storm.

Makayla chowing on the fresh snow.

The snow......um, bear?

Kylee getting ready to slide down the hill in the backyard.

Now it's Makayla's turn!

Andrew and Kylee being pushed by Stacy.

The little cousins out playing in the snow.

Christmas in Utah

This year, we had the great fun of going to Utah to spend Christmas with Brian's side of the family. This was the first time we'd all been together for many years, and some of the cousins had never even met, so we had a fabulous time together (all 18 of us)! Our big family present this year was a Wii (thanks mom and dad!), and the girls got many other fun presents, including a couple of things from Disney World, a keyboard and coloring stuff for Kylee, a fairy and howling dog for Makayla, books, movies, clothes, play-doh, and babydolls for both. Here's some pictures of the mayhem. I hope my in-laws have gotten their sanity and hearing back by now! Oh, and if you're wondering why there's no pictures of me on Christmas, it's because I was sick and had pink eye in both eyes, and hey, I just can't allow pictures to be taken of me when I have to wear my glasses and not wear eye makeup!

Christmas Eve dinner. It was impossible to get everyone in the picture I guess.

Makayla opening one of her presents.

Makayla with her dog from Matt and Aline that barks, howls, and wags it's tail.

Kylee's keyboard from Matt and Aline - definitely a favorite!

Looks like we won't be bored this winter!

Makayla spending time with her favorite thing in the world, Polly the cat. My mother-in-law says that cat slept for 3 days straight after we left.

Festival of Lights

I guess it's time to get to work on putting up our Christmas pictures! I thought I'd start with our trip to the Cincinnati zoo before Christmas for their Festival of Lights. They have the whole zoo lit up with lights, and they have Santa and Mrs. Clause, reindeer, characters walking around, and other fun things for kids. Even though it was freezing, the kids had a great time.

The girls with Mrs. Clause at story time

Kylee with Santa

Makayla with Santa (this was at our ward party)

Kylee and Makayla with their friend Aubrey in front of the BIG TREE

Our family in front of the big tree

Kylee with the freakiest looking Rudolph I've ever seen (does he have a nose ring?)