What's new with you?

It's been a bit hectic around our house this week.  The middle of February for our family means one BIG thing...Boat Show Week.  I've become what my friend Katie referred to as a "Boat Show Widow".  I appreciate Tim's involvement in our family a LOT more during this time of year.  We've managed to keep our regular schedule quite easily and even squeezed in a few fun activities.  We all miss seeing Tim (which is usually about only an hour each morning) however, I think Elizabeth misses him the most.  Before going to bed each night I hear her whimpering, "I miss Daddy." We are all looking forward to a more normal week next week!


Leah earned money doing book reports and bought some fish.



Swimming at Spring Lake Aquatic Center for family night with our church



Valentine's Day



What is your color personality?

I was recently given a subscription to Better Homes & Garden (thanks to my Gram) and I have found it very interesting to read.  In their latest issue I came across an article about color.  By clicking on their site I was able to take a short quiz and find out what my "color personality" is.  I'm not at all surprised to find out that I am FIERY RED.  That means I am decisive and result-oriented, a take-charge person with a flair for the dramatic.  I'm not afraid to take a risk and show my passion.  I was so intrigued by the results that I decided to take their organization personality quiz too.  I found those results to be even more exact.  I am considered a librarian.  That means I like everthing in its place. I am detailed and a taskmasker.  It also says that I am energetic and a perfectionist, sometimes to a fault.  Wow!  I wonder what your color and organization personalities are?

Will we have school tomorrow?

It's always a nice surprise to get a phone call early morning to be told that school is closed, but getting a phone call the night before is even better!  With the "Blizzard of 2011" school was canceled and by 9:00 Leah and Elizabeth were outside in more than waist deep snow.  They had a blast playing with neighbors making forts, sledding, and much more.  Tim spent the majority of the day plowing our road, the parking lot at his work, and his boss' new subdivision.  I took the opportunity to do some Valentine decorating, a little bit of crafting, and some school work.  What a day!

Were you nervous for the fun meet?

Last Saturday Leah competed in her first "fun meet" with her gymnastics team.  The meet was hosted by her club and took place at West Ottawa High School.  I'm not sure she realized how large the meet would be or how many people would be there to watch, but that didn't really faze her.  She was up and ready to go well ahead of time and didn't really mention that she was nervous...I suspect she was at least a little bit.  Before the meet started she volunteered to be the first gymnast on each apparatus for her team.  Tim and I were very proud of her.  Leah's favorite event is the beam which was her best performance.  After 4 events (and almost 4 hours later) she left with 3 blue ribbons and 1 red ribbon.  Performing for others is definitely for her!

How did you spend the snow day?

Imagine being startled out of bed by the phone just minutes before your alarm goes off to be told there was no school.  That is exactly what happened this morning and it was a phone call I've been waiting to get for months!  My list of snow day tasks was put on hold today.  Instead I chose to spend some time doing some winter snow creating.  For over a month Leah and Elizabeth have both been asking when we were going to make a snowman.  My response has been the same, "when the snow is good for packing."  So today when I stepped outside to let our dog out I checked the snow and it was perfect!  For almost 2 hours we created our very first snow dog.  It was a lot of work, but SO much fun.

What did you get for Christmas?

Since the Christmas holiday I've heard people ask Leah and Elizabeth what they got for Christmas.  It may seem like a simple question, but I started thinking about it and wondered what did they get for Christmas?  Our family did get a lot of nice presents.  For example, both girls got Zoobles, Squinkies, Webkinz, and Zhu Zhu Pets.  Tim got some hunting gear and a new drill and I got luggage, crafting supplies, and an ipod shuffle.  Along with the great gifts we got time together as a family.  We spent the majority of 2 weekends traveling to Illinois and back for multiple Christmas parties and we also attended several different parties in Michigan.  Being able to celebrate with our families this Christmas season was what we all got!