Snow Angels

So, we've gotten A LOT of snow in the last several hours - over two feet now, and the snow is supposed to keep falling through tomorrow afternoon. The forecast is up to 3 feet, but I think we're going to pass that mark.

This picture was taken at 9:00 this morning as Rob shoveled our porch. The snow is about level with Rob's knees.

Eight hours later, it's about mid-thigh.

Rob found my long-lost ski clothes yesterday, so I threw them on to go play outside. It's amazing how fast a couple of feet of snow turns a thirty-year-old mom into a six-year-old again.

This picture is of the other side of our front porch. Look how high the snow is! You'll notice a 'hole' in the snow in the bottom right-hand side of the picture. I had the overwhelming urge to dive into the snow, so I did. So much fun.

Here's the white wagon and our cars:

We dug the Envoy out to make a trip to town this afternoon, otherwise, it would be covered like the Corolla and the Expedition next to it. I snapped the picture below after falling down on the road three times in one minute. I don't mind falling when the landing is so soft.

I can't wait until Levi is old enough to play in the snow with me!

Lynda

Ridin'

We got a lot of snow late last week and into the weekend, and our friend and coworker Emily invited us to take some of the horses out for a ride. I hadn't ridden since the beginning of last summer, and I was thrilled to go. It was awfully cold, but absolutely beautiful outside.

Here's a view from the saddle...

...and this is Emily and me on our horses. See, I can be ranchy, too. I don't leave it all to Rob and Levi.

And if anyone has anything to say about my not-so-ranchy hat, you should now that 1) it's very warm and 2) my sweet Grandma Helen gave it to me. So there.

Lynda

Five Months!

Levi's five month birthday was Monday, and we celebrated by getting vaccinations. :( We also got weighed and measured; Levi hit 13 pounds and now measures 25 3/4 inches (I'm not giving out my stats). Here's the official picture with Tex:

But this is my favorite:

Here comes trouble!


Lynda

Time Away

Levi, Rob and I got back last week from an extended trip to Texas and Oklahoma to see our families and attend a Wind River staff retreat. We were away for almost three weeks, and in that time, Levi learned how to roll over and find his feet. He's been busy! We took this picture of Levi and Tex just before Levi's four-month birthday to show how much he's grown:

Levi played nice for a little while, then tried to eat Tex:

I had a great time visiting with my best friend Stephanie, girlfriends I hadn't seen since before Levi was born, and some of our dearest friends from Tallowood. I loved watching our parents love on Levi. It was great to relax with our friends from Wind River at the staff retreat. I had a blast playing racquetball with my father-in-law. It was a complete shut-out (I was, of course, the one shut out), and I realized that it is unwise to trash-talk when you are learning to play a game. I'm a slow learner. I want a rematch, Luttrull!

Here are pictures from our time away. Levi playing:

Then napping:

Here's Levi in the swim trunks and hat that Rob and I picked out for the beach vacation we'll take next month. Pop Howell got a great grin out of Levi for the picture. Look at Levi's little frog belly!

This is Levi with his cousin Sophia. Levi looks more like Rob in this picture than any I've seen. In case you were wondering, Sophia's eyes really are that blue.

This is Levi and Pop Luttrull. Pop can get Levi to calm down and go to sleep when no one else can. Levi's two Pops can also get the best smiles out of him.


And a family picture:


This is Levi's other cousin. In a few more years, Levi is going to realize how cool his cousin is and follow him around incessantly. He has mad Wii and ripstik skills, which will only make him greater in Levi's eyes.

Now that he's rolling over and grabbing his feet, Levi's learning other tricks very quickly...lots more to post as time allows...


Lynda

Two Years

Two years ago today, I woke up in my apartment on my wedding day. My best friend and I headed to the salon, and afterward it was on to makeup, pictures and the ceremony. I paced in the church's foyer while our families were seated, and then they opened up the doors. I heard the Bridal Chorus and I remember thinking how strange it was that this time, the song announced my arrival. Rob stood at the end of the aisle, and I locked eyes with him. It was a good day.

Two years later, I woke up to the sound of Levi crying. I went in his room and hooted and smiled with him for a few minutes before he ate. The next fifteen minutes involved volcanic poop, spit-up, and three sneezes, all on my arms. I put Levi back in his crib to clean him up, then took him back to our bedroom to give him to his father. It's another good day.

I'm amazed at how much has changed in two years. The subtitle of the blog alludes to all these changes...new marriage, new job, new state, and new baby. I'm excited to see what changes will come over the next couple of years, and I'm thankful that they'll all happen with Rob by my side.

Lynda

Couch Potato

Levi loves to watch TV. Not that we allow it, you understand, but he's fascinated by the screen and tries to watch when we put him on the couch. Sometimes we just turn the TV off, and he turns back to play with us. Other times, though, we're watching something we don't want to miss, and in those cases, we turn the Boppy pillow so that he can't see the screen. Or so we thought...Rob caught Levi the other day craning his neck to see the screen behind him.

As much as we watch TV, I guess we shouldn't expect anything different!

Lynda

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,

Levi