No more snow... yet

So it's been so long since I was able to sit down and write a blog I forgot what it was like.

So over a year, here is my update:

There is no snow on the ground anymore... yet. It is September and you know what comes next, October and right when I get used to writing the 10 on my checks the snow will start to fall. While I enjoy some snow, sometimes. I know I am no where near ready to see the fluffy stuff. Summer blew by this year and we didn't even camp! We didn't even travel! We only went to the pool 3 times!!!

{can I just say I am sooo glad I procrastinated on buying the summer pool pass!!}

Things that have happened lately? Glad you were wondering.

Andrew became a senior!

I only have 1 child in elementary school now!

The Nelson family moved back to Cedar!!

Followed by the Mom and the Dad!!

We currently have 4 cats and 3 dogs living in our house...

along with 5 adults and 5 kids!

Insane you say? Just an average day in my life!

The 5th adult would be Xavier.

That is probably the biggest thing to happen this year.

He had a heart attack, bypass surgery and moved in for a bit to recover. Somehow though he decided he liked it so much here that a couple of months wasn't gonna be long enough so he had a stroke to seal the deal. I can only make light of it now to keep from crying. So here he will stay until I can get him healthy and well enough to be on his own again.

Let me add here that I am so grateful that I am in a position to be able to be of service to him. I love my brother and am honored to help.

So that is how our lives have been. Not too bad, ya know unless I think to hard about the coming snow months. I want a summer do-over... and no takesy-backsies!

Christmas Happenings

Winter means snow in Cedar. We have a great view. I love it. With the snow comes decorating the tree. Sean is a trooper. He hauls the tree up, he assembles the tree he puts everylight we can find on the tree and then he gets to stand back while I dictate (and that is the proper word in this case) where each ornament is to be placed. By the end of the month not one of these ornaments is where it was place at first. I forget this every year and think it will look perfect through the whole holiday. Someone please remind me next year. It will save sean some frustration.

You will have to tilt your heads to catch the vision. I just don't have the time or patience to figure out how to flip it with out starting all over again. Pretty tho right?!
The next fun tradition is gingerbread houses. Everyone is cordially invited over next year to make these fun houses, enjoy hot cocoa, and partake of the fighting of the season. Screams of children fighting over candy to decorate thier homes is a time honored tradition in the Arnold home!!

This one went to our neighbors house. Which means I made it so that I knew the candys were not licked before they were applied. I hope th Sargents appreciate this simple act of kindness!

Isn't that what this season is really all about........ not spreading kiddie germs to the neighbors!

Last Thanksgiving

Cousins came to play!!

Xavier brought the kids and we got to hang out, that involved lots of laughing and general merry-ment!!

Then came snowplay. There wasn't much snow left when we got there, but that didn't stop the kids from having a blast!!

Death in numbers

Sadly our second microwave passed on, and while I didn't commemorate his passing a third death has hit our home, quite literally.

Tweety was just having a peaceful day, coasting on the wind, flying with his friends. Poor bird never saw what hit him. The Children were playing in the house, being loud and probably fighting, when all of a sudden.

BAM!

Poor Tweety hit the window and fell to the ground. The funeral was held later that evening and he is now interred next to the dragonsblood plant in the garden. His headstone was designed by Ian.