Things that make me smile

Below are some things that make me smile lately or sometimes even giggle and laugh out loud. (These will be identified according to our five senses because that is what Drea has been learning at school lately.)


Sound:

• My daughters laughing together. They are finally starting to interact with each other and I love the sound of their joint laughter. Sometimes in the car, Drea will start laughing at Charlotte and then Charlotte just starts laughing because Drea's laughing. As Kai-Lan says, this makes my heart feel happy. Can you tell in these pictures how much fun they have together lately even as they are torturing momma.

I look like I'm having fun by this picture, don't I...and what is Drea doing to her sister?

Sight:

• A snowman. And even better, a giant snowman. During our recent slight blizzard, some nice family on Virginia Avenue built a giantic snowman. I enjoyed seeing this on my way to work everyday. Thanks Virginia Avenue family on the corner across from 8th Street Confectionary.


• Andy wearing dress-up jewelry that Drea has "forced" him to wear. He said he was being a "king" but he sure looked like a "queen" to me.
  
• This:
  

• These beautiful faces below:
  
  
  
  

Touch:

• I'm going to go more with the word "feeling" on this because the other day I was giggling out loud at the feeling of going down my back road to pull into the garage. Follow me for a minute...No one plows this road since we are the only ones who use it and it leads into our driveway. We have made tire tracks in the snow that has now turned to ice. So (when I'm by myself) I really enjoy just letting off the break & gas and coasting down this road (since no one else uses it) like I'm on a roller coaster. Pretty fun. So I started to do this the other day but instead my tires went a little off course but it was like when you are riding that old car ride at the Kennywood that keeps your tires on a track and my car jolted me back into the tire treads and then they went a little off course the other direction and my car jerked me back on the tracks again. Anyway, by the time I made it onto my driveway, I was cracking up out loud behind the wheel because it was so much fun. I probably couldn't do it again if I tried. What was even funnier was when I looked up and saw Andy watching me from our kitchen window and I realized he probably thought I was driving drunk. Maybe you had to be there.

Smell:

• The current candle we have in our living room. Some vanilla and cookies and cream thing from Walmart. I always enjoy the smell of vanilla.


• Freshly baked cookies.


• Babies.

Taste:

• This is not hard to think of while dieting...french fries makes me smile.
  
• Ice cream, brownies, or cookies.
  
• Hot wings (especially garlic romano wings from the SportsPage) which are unfortunately 9 points for only 3 wings!
  
• Oh, food, pretty much lights me up all together.

Post 100, Barrett, & other Thoughts

Can you believe this is our 100th post? Who would have thought that would happen? What is more amazing to me is I have posted 53 times and Stacey has posted 47. Not that I am keeping score. Perhaps all the snow days have a lot to do with this. I mean she started the blog 3 years ago and as an afterthought she suggested that I blog, too. I really did not want to at first. Well, I guess I have had something to say after all. I hope all that read our blog enjoy it, because we have enjoyed writing it and also following others bloggers along the way. Here's hoping for 100 more.


So I have been watching the girls and Barrett on Thursday nights while Stacey and Jody have been going to Weight Watchers and Zumba. Anyway, last week I was just watching Charlotte and Barrett. Drea went with Mommy and Aunt Jody. Well, I was feeding Charlotte in the kitchen and Barrett was in Charlotte's room playing. I could hear him jumping up and down and having a good time. Other then the jumping he was very quiet. So I called for him to come out of Charlotte's room. This is what I found.

Notice how cloudy this picture looks

That would be an entire bottle of baby powder

Somehow, Barrett managed to keep himself pretty clean. Maybe, this is why God has given me girls not boys. Either way, I got a good laugh out of it. I mean what else would I do.....beat him.

Why is it that people with four wheel drive think they are invincible in the snow. Last night, I had to run out to let my friend, Dave's dog out, and this truck tailgated me the entire time. Look, I have four wheel drive and it makes me feel safe, but you don't have to drive like an idiot because of it. The guy even flashed his high beams at me because I wasn't going fast enough. I seriously wanted to get out the car and say something to him. Then, I realized that I have never been in a fight in my life and now wasn't the time to start.

I know some of our readers are Duke and UNC fans but quite frankly, I am sick of all the hype over them playing. I was listening to sports talk radio today and they were saying its not the same when UNC isn't good. Yeah, it's better. I have said this before, it's easy when you are a proven winner like these programs are, to win. So it's nice every once in a while for UNC fans to know how it feels not to win. That is what is good about college sports.

Snow, Snow, and more Snow

Most of our readers know that I enjoy snow days more then anything and that is still true. On Saturday, we received at least a foot of snow or more. It caused several problems in WV, as well as, the entire east coast. On Sunday, Drea and I shoveled snow and built a snow fort. We really had a great time. We have had two days off of school so far and as I am typing it is beginning to snow again. They predict that it will snow until Thursday. The girls are getting so big and I am enjoying every minute that I get to spend with them. I hope to blog a few times in the next couple of days (depending on the snow and possible days off). But, for now just wanted to say we are having a good time. The only thing that would make it complete is Mommy. I guess people need their money to buy bread and milk. (Stacey works for the bank, but doesn't handle money, I know that but just follow me, okay)

• Speaking of which, it always makes Stacey and I laugh when people rush out to the store to buy those things. I don't understand that thinking. What's going to happen that we need to rush out and get those two items. I think we can survive without them. I mean how long are we going to be snowed in. A day maybe two. Please people give it a rest....you can live without bread and milk for TWO days....ugh.

• I think censorship has been taken to far. During the Super Bowl they were introducing Football Hall of Fame players. One former player and now assistant coach of the Steelers is Dick Lebeau. Cbs censored his first name. I think the general public knows the difference between someones name and a bad word.

• Those of you that know me realize I like an occasional beer. When I do it is usually Yuengling. Well, this past week on the tv show, "The Office", Michael and his former boss were sitting in a hot tub, drinking. (This is not recommended by the writer, both drinking in a hot tub and doing so with another man) Anyway, their beer of choice.........Yuengling Lager and Black and Tan.

Drea's Birthday

Drea recently turned four. After much debate we decided to have her birthday party at McDonalds. She had a great time with her family and a few friends. Enjoy the pictures from her party.

Drea's cupcake cake. I don't really like cake, but for some reason I enjoy cupcakes. Go Figure.

Drea opening gifts while her friends Madison and Ethan look on

Opening more presents

Finally getting to play in the play area

Drea's friend Isak is not ready to go home quite yet

Cousin Tyler

Cousin Barrett

Charlotte and Stacey

Stacey and the girls

The Ruark Wedding

My sister, Karen got married last weekend. The family piled into the car and traveled 6 hours to Maryland. We stayed in a motel, which we normally do not do, so, it was like a mini vacation. We had lots of fun and enjoyed our four day trip. Here are some pictures of the occasion.

The Wedding Party

Lydia (my niece), Charlotte, and Stacey

My other sister, Laura, and her boyfriend, Leo

Drea, Andy, and Lydia

The bride and Richard

Brynn, Karen, Richard, and Lydia

Laura and me dancing with the kids

What a smile!

This was one of my favorite parts of the reception. It just looked really cool. It covered the entire dance floor and almost the entire sitting area.

Charlotte's Stories and Videos

• I've blogged before that I think that Charlotte thinks she is one of the dogs. More proof that she thinks or acts like them.....she tries to play in the toilet, she lifts the lid (the dogs can't do that) and tries to stick her hand in the water. She hates to have her nails trimmed and lately, Jersey has been sleeping in Charlotte's room. If she starts barking we maybe in big trouble.

• Today at dinner Charlotte had a fish stick in one hand and a carrott in the other. All of a sudden she stopped and looked at the carrott, dropped it and picked up another fish stick. I guess she knew what she wanted and what tasted better.

Here's a brief video of Charlotte walking. When she walks, I think she looks like a famous actor.............think mini me.

This video is cute, watch Charlotte playing hide and seek with Drea

Drea Musings

• The other day we were all at Target and Drea said, "Look what I found!" Then we heard crunch, crunch.....She found some popcorn sitting on the shelf, YUM.

• This past weekend, my sister got married. During the prayer, Drea was sitting with Stacey at the head table. Anyway, I was watching Drea and I noticed her take a drink of champagne. As the prayer concluded, Stacey noticed that Drea had taken a drink from her glass. Stacey told her, "Honey, you shouldn't drink that." Drea said, "That's okay mommy, I like it."

• Another story from the wedding this past weekend, which was a lot of fun and I will blog some photos later..........during the special dances, bride/groom, etc....Richard, Karen's husband danced to Butterfly Kisses with my nieces. Drea who had a hard time understanding why she wasn't in the wedding, turned to me and ask, "Daddy, when is it going to be my turn?" Even though I realized what she meant, with that song playing, all I could think to say, "Hopefully not for a long time."

• Finally, a video of Drea telling a joke, I hope you enjoy it!