Snow DAYS

Tomorrow will make a 4-day weekend for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. :-) Snow day #2. We got about 3 inches starting Friday evening and lots of sleet on Saturday. The roads were pure ice. Matt went out around noon on Sunday for the first time and came back predicting we wouldn't go to school until Wednesday. So far it is looking like his prediction may be right on. Lots of melting today but I guess it wasn't enough. Everyone seems to love and hate the snow all at the same time around here. I got a lot of "Oh, this will be Elijah's first snow" on Friday but had to let everyone know that he had been in Iowa for Christmas so actually this was not. Iowa was too cold for "playing in the snow" so this would be the first "playing in the snow" for EJ. :-) We didn't venture out until Sunday when it was sunny and actually pretty warm. A BEAUTIFUL day and we had so much fun. Well, I did anyway...not sure on Elijah as I'm quite certain he didn't crack a smile the entire time we were out there. I think he was just taking it all in. Enjoy the pictures and the videos!

All bundled up!

Belle absolutely LOVES the snow!

Sticking close to daddy...

Sledding! So cool! Thanks to Holly and Jeremy we were able to pull EJ around the backyard on this sled.

We also got to go down a hill thanks to the wonderful road construction that is ongoing in our backyard. :-) Check it out!

First Haircut and more

Getting ready to cheer on the Vikings!  He got so many comments on this sweatshirt when we were at the mall!  You can tell he's in dire need of his first haircut...

Cool, a new seat ... for the car!

This is before -- although you really can't tell just how long the locks were...

He sat sooooo well!

Thanks, Angie!  It looks great!

A new favorite...climbing and sitting on the dishwasher door.  He also likes to take the clean silverware out one by one and hands them to me.  He loves an enthusiastic "thank you" before he grabs for the next!

Giggling!  What fun!

1st Birthday Memories

Elijah had a pretty calm and quiet birthday weekend.  Unfortunately Matt was VERY ill with the flu (possibly H1N1) so he was quarantined to the bedroom and didn't get to hang out with the birthday boy much.

Elijah had several packages and cards arrive via the postman and UPSman.  Christmas provided lots of present opening practice so he had it down for his birthday! :-)  The first package was from Aunt Anne.  He loves the tickle hand that came with an adorable book.  He often brings it to me so that I can put it on and use it.  The third picture is of a card that Great Aunt Marilyn sent him.  It is the Little Engine that Could and has 4 buttons to push that make different sounds.  He LOVES this card and plays with it all of the time.

 

Gram Bailey sent some awesome building blocks.  He doesn't really have the building part down yet but he definitely knows how to take them apart.  In the second picture below, Elijah is playing in the fridge.  He has on a very stylish new shirt that also arrived from Aunt Anne.  The third picture gives you a great idea of just how long those baby locks were getting to be (don't worry -- a first haircut post will be coming soon).   

Holly came over with birthday wishes.  I think these pictures of the two of them are wonderful!  Finally we start the series of the first cake expedition.  This is the before shot!  He looks like he's so happy and ready to eat. Little did he know he was getting such a sweet treat (definitely something he is not used to). 

The first finger dips into the frosting.  Definitely a face that says "Mmmm."  After several more finger dips and licks, he finally picks it up!

And that was all she wrote.  Once he got ahold of that thing, it was gone in a matter of minutes!  What a yummy, fun mess!  And of course, some milk to wash it all down!

We now have a ONE year old.  Wow!  How quickly that first year goes.  He is our joy!

Happy 1st Birthday, Elijah!

You are the love of our lives and have brought us so much joy!  We are so proud of you and can't wait for the year ahead! 

The FIRST bump and bruise of many (I'm guessing)

The last night we were in Iowa, Elijah fell and hit his head on the corner of a dining chair.  I only saw the end of the fall and didn't think much of it as it didn't seem to bother him.  About 30 seconds later, I couldn't believe what I saw!  Holy cow!  I was proud that I didn't freak out.  We tried to ice it but EJ was having nothing to do with that!  This is a pretty good shot of the damage.  :( 

This is a profile attempt BUT it doesn't do justice to how big that goose egg actually was!

Sigh....I'm sure this won't be the worst and won't be the last!

Christmas in Austin, Minnesota

The final leg of our Christmas travel was to Austin, MN where we met Matt's brother's family at a hotel for a quick visit.  Boy did we accomplish a lot in a short time though! 

This was Elijah's first stay at a hotel...

He also got a taste of Culver's for the first time.  Yum-Yum!  Mommy's favorite!  We didn't go for the SPAM burger though.

This was also Elijah's first swim in a pool.  I wouldn't say he loved it but I wouldn't say he hated it either.

Cousins Jessie and Jamie with EJ and Matt

We went to an awesome pizza place for lunch...

Jamie, Jessie and Anna with Elijah

They are wonderful cousins and give him tons of love and attention!

Finally, this was Elijah's first time bowling. :-)

We had lots of fun!

Here is the whole gang!  By mid-July this clan will increase by TWO!  The Minnesota Wheelers are expecting a new addtion in June!

Although our visit was short, it was definitely sweet and we can't wait until we all meet again!

Christmas in Iowa

Just as our trip to Florida was uncertain, so was our trip to Iowa. We decided that Florida wouldn't be such a bad place to be stranded for a couple of days. :-) Of course, we were anxious to see the rest of our family as well. Well, it all worked out again and we arrived in Iowa on time on the 23rd of December. The trip from Des Moines to Cedar Falls was a longggg one, but we made it! Elijah got another gold star for being an outstanding traveller.

We stayed at my sister's house this trip. It worked out well because one of us wasn't always having to leave early to get a little one to bed. This time we got to hang out after the kiddos went to bed! We grilled steaks on Christmas Eve (which is what we did last year when they all came to NC) and then went to mom and dad's for Christmas Day. Luckily we got to eat turkey dinner even though the roaster wasn't on for a good bit of time due to a blown fuse. :-) Enjoy our family pictures and memories...

Night #1 - Uncle Matt reading to Lauren and Elijah

Morning #1 - EJ and his cousin, Avery -- Which do you suppose he is trying to get? The ball or her pacifier?

You guys just wait until next year when we are both WALKING! :-)

At least Lauren and Anne got to enjoy the carousel. The mean old man aka the grinch wouldn't allow Elijah to ride because he didn't have on shoes. Seriously!

Christmas morning! Santa did come! BUT I think this was in Lauren's stocking... Aunt Anne completely spoiled everyone! He loves this thing, by the way!

The grandkids at Gram & Papa Bailey's

Merry Christmas my blue-eyed boy!

What? Santa actually came to grandma's house too?

Anne, Lauren (with her new water dispenser), and Auntie Emily

These "jingle" bells were a hit!

Miss Avery playing her new drums

Elijah had such a good time with his cousins!

Brrr...we definitely had a WHITE Christmas!

Christmas Eve (actually on the 27th due to weather) at Oakleaf with the Petersens..

1st cousins (once removed) Elijah, Reed Beenken, and Taylor Petersen

There were LOTS of little ones roaming around!

Six of the seven Petersen siblings with Grandpa.

And the grandkids (minus 2, I think)

I didn't get the great grandkids so if anyone reading this did, would you please send me a copy!

The Baileys, Boyers, and Wheelers

Family Portrait

I have some videos to post but they just don't seem to be cooperating so I shall post without them and perhaps try to add them later!