Monday, December 27, 2010

Blizzard!

We have had quite a storm here! According to some weather website, the criteria for a blizzard are:
  • Winds of at least 35 mph (frequent gusts are generally considered to qualify) (CHECK)
  • Visibility reduced by falling and/or blowing snow to less than 1/4 mile (CHECK)
  • The strict application is for the wind and visibility criteria to be met for at least three consecutive hours (CHECK)
Last night, it snowed and snowed and the wind was howling outside. At one point, we couldn't see the houses across the street. Tommy, our resident weatherman, of course followed the storm via internet and TV, while I was curled up on the couch with The Help (which was GREAT, and the first book I have read since MFG was born that wasn't a baby/parenting book). It was the perfect way to ride out the storm.

Thankfully, we have not lost power and we woke up to more snow and a winter wonderland outside. My wonderful husband is outside digging us out of the up to 4 foot snowdrifts and in temps that feel like 10F (I think he is enjoying it though - he is getting to use the ultimate Man Machine - the Snowblower). And I am still in my PJs, updating the blog from my warm and cozy kitchen. Here are some pictures from the Blizzard of 2010.

Tommy went outside during the storm to take pictures last night
This morning. Even the windows were coated with ice and snow.
We could only open the front door this much this morning
Max looks like he is thinking "What is going on here?"
Our garage buried in snow
The deck
Check out the snow drifts over at Matt and Erin's house!
Someone thought this was interesting!
That is a lot of snow!
The neighbors starting to plow, shovel and snowblow out
I told you he was having fun!
We can get out of the front door now
And now, Tommy is going surfing. No, I'm not kidding.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Awkward Family Photos - The Allen Family Version

My brother posted this on Facebook (Thanks, Chase!), so I just thought I would spread the humiliation on my blog. Enjoy the Christmas awesomeness.

Christmas Tricks

Mary Francis has some new tricks. One is standing by herself without holding on to anything. She also started standing up from sitting without pulling up on anything today (sorry, no video of that one). The other one is her version of peek-a-boo. She hides her face and we ask "where is Mary Francis?" and then she pops up and laughs hysterically. Enjoy!




First Christmas!

Christmas morning was so much fun! Mary Francis loved opening her presents and we Skyped/Facetimed with both set of grandparents and my sister. (What would we do without Skype and Facetime??) I'll let the pictures speak for themselves and tell the story of Mary Francis' first Christmas...

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Christmas Eve Continued

We had some friends over for Christmas Eve before the 5pm church service. The Jones, Hendrix and Gonzales families came over for appetizers and all of the little ones had fun playing. We missed being with our families on Christmas Eve, but we are so lucky to have such good friends here!

Not too thrilled about the bow. It didn't last long.
Showing her Little People nativity set to Griffin
The feast!
Our little Christmas nugget. I think she is eating Mary.
Mom friends (Vicki, me, Megan)
Ryan, Johnny and Megan. They are moving to Philadelphia in January and we are going to miss them so much!
The little ones - L to R: Harry, Griffin, Mary Francis, Johnny. This was the only picture where they were all looking at the camera. I don't know how we were able to get them all still for even a second!
The rest of the attempts to get a picture looked something like this:
She's making a break for it!

Friday, December 24, 2010

11 Months Old

Mary Francis is 11 months old today! It is hard to believe that she is going to be 1 in a month. She has so much personality these days and keeps us laughing all the time. She "talks" constantly and does say some real words, including "Dada," "Dah" (dog), "Baba" (bottle), "Mama" (occasionally), and "MAAAAA!" (which we think might be Max). She is standing by herself and can take a few steps if she is holding our hands. She is in to EVERYTHING and we are baby proofing like crazy. She doesn't sit still for a minute anymore! She loves Max and Taylor and likes to pet them and chase them around the house. She is great at giving hugs and kisses and is the sweetest girl ever. We love you so much, Mary Francis! You are the best Christmas gift ever!
(These pictures are getting harder and harder to take! She doesn't like to sit still and I only got one photo where she wasn't grabbing the paper sign)

Christmas Eve Breakfast Brunch

Some of our neighbors hosted a Christmas Eve breakfast on the beach this morning. What a great idea! It was a beautiful, cold Chirstmas Eve morning with blue skies and big waves. Here are some pictures from the beach. I hope we do this every year!

Walking through the snow down to Phillips Beach
A surfer headed out to the water. Tommy went surfing on Tuesday and today after the breakfast. I think he is crazy, but he swears his new wetsuit keeps him warm and dry! The waves are best here in the winter.
Daddy and a very bundled up MFG
Looking out at the water
Our hosts cooking breakfast over the beach bonfire
Daddy showing MFG the awesome waves
Enjoying a powdered doughnut
Mommy and MFG
Our little Christmas snow baby
Beautiful morning
Merry Chirstmas everyone!