Snow

After days of nothing but rain, the temperature dropped enough today that it started to snow. I didn't even notice it, but Rachel did. She stood at the doorway of the bedroom, pointing at the window making the noise that she uses for everything she doesn't have a word for. We bundled up and went outside. As you can see, she was less than impressed. Hopefully it'll grow on her- otherwise, she'll have 17 more long winters until she goes to college in Florida or Texas...

Turkey with the Rich's

So many Rich's gathered that we don't even all fit in the picture!

Earlier this fall, my Aunt Margo invited us to Thanksgiving at their house. Since it's been YEARS since I've celebrated a holiday with the Rich family, we made plans to head to Springfield for turkey, despite the fact that it was Nick's family's turn for the holiday. It had also been a VERY long time since I'd been to my aunt and uncle's house. The last time I was at Uncle Butch's house, I'm pretty sure I rode there with my Grandma and Grandpa Rich. Given that my Grandma has been gone for nearly 14 years, it's been awhile. We had a wonderful visit. I had the chance to catch up with relatives that I don't see nearly as often as I would like and Rachel had a blast playing with her second and third cousins. Food, family, and fun. I don't think it gets much better than that!

Rachel playing with her cousins Max and Gabby.

Rachel LOVED the car.

Uncle Dan and Rachel going for a spin around the house.

Deana- THANK you so much for the toys! Rachel loves her new popper.

Hotel's Are F-U-N!!

Wednesday night we made half the trip to Springfield and stayed over in a hotel. It's been awhile since we stayed in a hotel with Rachel. Like all kids, she thought that staying in the hotel was WAY more fun than home!!

Jumping on a queen size bed- now that is a vacation!

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service

Apparently I'm going to have to implement a "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service" policy at the dinner table. This evening, while waiting for me to serve her dinner, Rachel learned how to take off her shirt. Cue the music.

 Awesome. If she figures out her pants, she'll be running around in her birthday suit because she is also proficient at removing her diaper.

Did you know?

Tuesday morning, Nick asked me if I'd seen his cell phone. I hadn't- but the fact that he didn't know where it was explained why he hadn't answered when I called on Monday. I mentioned that fact and he said "Did it go to voicemail?" I said, no, it rang first. He had just tried calling his cell phone in an attempt to locate it and it had gone directly to voicemail.

Have you ever been given a peice of information and after a few seconds of your brain processing it- a small pit forms in your stomach?

I had washed Nick's outside work jeans the previous afternoon. Because Rachel woke up from her nap before I threw them in the dryer, they were still in the washer. Guess what else was in the washer. Did you know that you can't wash a cell phone? I must have missed that section in the laundry section of the Martha Stewart Handbook.

The good news is that it has been a few years since we've gotten new cell phones and according to Verizon, we were eligible for an upgrade.

This is not the first time that I have washed an electronic item. Last time it was my MP3 player (a much loved gift from Nick Christmas 2006). It was strawberry season. I was in what felt like my 10th year of pregnancy. I had orders for pre-picked strawberries coming out of my ears. (Why pick them yourself when you can have the incredibly pregnant lady do it for you?). Before I went out to pick berries, I had washed a load of clothes and went to put them in the dryer. When I turned on the dryer, something was making the most obnoxious racket. Upon investigation, my heart sank... it was my MP3 player. Drat. My first thought was that I would have to pick strawberries without music to listen to. My second thought was that it was a long way until Christmas and my birthday before I could request a new one. Double drat.

Rather than tell Nick that my MP3 player is apparently not waterproof, I got online. After all, I didn't want him to think that I was so careless as to leave it in my pocket and wash it. Turns out, I could replace it for $25... a couple of clicks and it was in the mail! Fast forward a few days...It was a Saturday afternoon. Nick was working around the house and who should pull up but Mr. FedEX. Of course, Nick then asked what I had purchased. DARN FedEx guy and his ill-timed deliveries. I was THIS close to an exact replacement without anyone being the wiser.

This time it was still me doing the washing...but it was someone else leaving something in the pockets.

Moral of the story: Always Check ALL Pockets prior to washing laundry.

Harvest Supervisor

The guys renting the fields closest to our house arrived today to harvest the corn. Rachel was VERY excited to see the "vroom, vrooms"! Don't worry Melvin. She's keeping a close eye to make sure everything goes smoothly! Woof and Bear were also part of the supervison team.

All Dressed Up

Rachel looked really cute in her dress for church yesterday, don't you agree?