Wow! Where does the time go?!

I just can't believe it's been since December 13th that I posted about our new kitten, and wham! Here it is Christmas Eve Eve! ha

Christmas Eve Eve is a big deal here to us you see... since Cala's first Christmas with us, we have spent December 23rd together as a family, camped out (or in since we're always inside)- in our living room. (wherever that may be! lol).

Tonight, well, it's a little past 1 a.m. (so technically, it's already Christmas Eve)- we started a new tradition for us- of getting new pajamas on this night. I caught the baby (who by the way refers to himself as "Papa's big boy, Mama's baby") in his new garb, complete with robe:

Isn't he adorable?! No! I'm not prejudiced a bit! ha

And here, in the second picture, he was looking up at Papa (Glenn), who was telling him we were heading upstairs to watch "Rudolph".

There's just something so special about children at Christmas! I can hardly wait to see my kids this year as they open their gifts! Seth was just a baby last year so this is all new to him. It should be lots of fun with all three of them.
Glenn and I are so truly blessed with these precious children! What a wonderful Christmas indeed!

My inlaws are also here.... that's a major reason to my busyness and lack of posting! We are keeping the roads hot! I am excited that they are here. Unlike many folks and their inlaws, I actually get along with mine and love them very much! I only wish my parents could be here too.

Another wonderful thing was that due to my inlaws being here, Glenn and I got to go out ALONE last night! First time in months of course, because well... I don't yet have a babysitter here- don't want to just trust anyone with my kids. Hopefully in the coming year, with our church growing, that will change and I will have someone.

Well, got to run! Cala has already fallen asleep (she made it to just past midnight), but the boys are still going strong! I remember Cala's first year doing this- she was wide awake at 2 a.m. when WE finally said, "enough is enough, we must sleep!" Of course, we are about to get them to bed too, as church is here in the morning!

Catch you later! (hopefully much sooner than last time!)

The Kitten post

Here's the latest member to join our family! We named her "Keeska" or the Russian word for kitty. I did give Cala the job of a middle name for her, and she came up with "Matroshka" (Russian nesting doll). So, our please meet our kitten,

"Keeska Matroshka"

She's special to me for a couple of reasons. See, my husband has always said he "despises" cats. He just really doesn't like them. However, the "psychologist" in me (lol) says that's because as a child, he had a cat that he loved and it died.

ANYWAY!, on our 10th anniversary (which has now been almost 3 1/2 years ago), Glenn presented with something I thought I would never have once marrying him! (we lived in Russia)- he brought me a beautiful Russian blue cat! I named him Nikita and I loved him so very much! However, it just wasn't feasible to bring him to the states, so Nikita now lives in a home where he is as equally loved.

I must add that I wasn't sure my heart was up to another cat, but it was GLENN once again, who came home with the idea. Last week, he brought a flyer home from then grocery store that was telling about this 9 week old calico kitten with a stunning coat. (Free to a good home). I called, no answer. It was the following day when we got in touch with them, went to get the kitten, and surprised Cala at school! Actually, we brought the cat home praying the whole way it wouldn't "meow", but it did. I coughed really loudly to cover it up. The expression on Cala's face was priceless as she opened up what we called, "an early Family Christmas present."

We are all now in love with Keeska, and she seems to love even the boys who follow her, pick her up- love on her!

** Pray for us- Glenn, Cala and I are all feeling pretty lousy. There is a cough/cold going around our town here. SEVERAL kids are out of school sick right now. **

My First Drive in the Snow...

Yesterday I decided to go out and do a little Christmas shopping on my own. The town I wanted to go to is a good ways through the country. It's an absolutely beautiful drive! On my way back home, not only did I get lost, (took the wrong road turning out of the store and ended up in the middle of nowhere), but I ended up driving through snow with near zero visibility!!!! It was really strange having that happen as I had only seen flurries moments before. Then, it was just through this one little spot in the road that it was very difficult to see.

To make matters worse, when it seemed to be taking longer than usual to get back to the next store I was going to, I became concerned I was lost again. I started thinking Glenn should never let me out of his sight! ha ha No sooner had I picked up the cell phone to call Glenn, did I see this beautiful red barn that is a "landmark" for me on that road. I knew I was going the right way.

Snow was definitely not sticking- didn't last long... still praying!!!!!!

I did it again

Yes, I know- I said I would post more and sure enough I've been gone from blog land quite awhile! ugghh

Since last I posted, my baby son had his 2nd birthday:

We visited a Christmas tree farm this past Saturday (an absolutely great time!, and new tradition for us :o)

And then, spent some time putting pictured tree up in our downstairs family room:

It's been very very cold here lately, but with just a dusting of snow! Now, spending years in Russia- we sure lived about living with cold AND snow. We knew Minnesota (or MinneSNOWta as it's been called) would be no different. However, this year so far is starting out very slow snow wise. We are told by plain folk and weathermen alike that this is highly unusual for this time of year. Having seen much snow through the past years, I would not complain much, and would relish in the fact of not having to deal with the hazards that the snow and ice bring. HOWEVER, this is our first year here, new house (to us), first time to have a fireplace, etc. etc. etc. and it just feels like Christmas! I want the snow. I also want to see the snow because my inlaws (from FLorida who never see snow) are coming for two weeks at Christmas time.

We are COLD though. We're having temps dropping in the single digits with wind chills below zero. To me, give me the snow and the 30's. This very cold weather with no snow, well, to be honest is just irritating! lol I am praying for snow! :o)

**** Note to secret blog pal: Thanks for the package that came today! ****