The BLIZZARD of 2011

We have never experienced anything like!  It was crazy.  As we went to bed on Thursday evening, there was a good amount of snow, but all the MAGIC really occured while we were sleeping.  We awoke to more snow than we even knew what to do with.  Unfortunately the neighbor's snowblower DID NOT work yesterday morning, so we had to HAND CARVE our way out of our house.  It was lovely.  3+ hours of shoveling - just the driveway!  Our other neighbor helped us with our front sidewalk.

We ventured out for a "nature walk" later in the day.  Pulled the girls in their sleds - was fun.  Met our new neighbors... from California.  Just moved in about a week ago.  Bad timing on their part.  The first time their 3 & 4 year olds had seen snow. 

As we walked, we noticed a lot of houses that were unshoveled and COMPLETELY snowed in.  Like snow up to the windows.  Hope they get dug out soon.  Enjoy our pics!

View from our side door - the large pile is our van that is buried under about a 15 foot drift.

View from our patio - drifts across the whole back yard.  As I tramped through them, they came up past my waist!

Our van is buried in the pile behind the white car...our neighbors lent us a roof rake to uncover it.  I'd never seen one - but John was a pro!

John's discovery..... the VAN!

"Digging out" and "Blazing Trails" around the van....

Guess what this is???? Our Grill... Hope it holds out!

Little did Lydia know... even though the car was dug out, the 4+ foot pile at the end of the driveway was not.  We weren't going anywhere.

Finally a little playtime on the pile on our island in front of our house.  The plow did a great job on our court compared to other streets.  We ventured out for a walk later in the day and pulled the girls in their sleds.  It actually turned out to be a beautiful day (after the storm.)

Brewers ON DECK (Fan Fest)

This is our third year and a row attending fan fest, and it just seems to get better and better every year.  They do a great job at making this a family event.  For the first time, I think Madeline FINALLY figured out that this is a BIG DEAL.  It's not everyday that you get to meet and take pictures with professional athletes.

Our afternoon started out with a pit-stop at the men's room for John, followed by 2 little girls running in after him... only to discover Jonathan Lucroy (starting catcher), Randy Wolf (Pitcher) and Mark Attanasio (Brewer's owner) in the men's room!  So they all came out and took pictures with us.  They were FANTASTIC!

We were able to walk around, get lots of autographs, pictures, play in bouncy houses, watch live interviews and get balloon pets and faces painted (the highlight of Madeline's day.)

Playing Dance-Dance Revolution with Jonathon Lucroy and Kameron Loe

Hangin' out is some old seats from County Stadium

Gettin autographs from the FARM TABLE... these were some of the top prospects: (L to R)
Cody Scarpetta(RHP), Logan Schafer (OF), and Hunter Morris (INF)

Working with a player from UWM... teaching her to "choke up" on her bat.

"Steppin' back from the plate... just like Braunie"

Chris Narveson (pitcher)

It's all about HERITAGE with the Polish Sausage :)

Bernie Brewer Baby!!!!

Mark Rogers (Brewer's #1 pitching prospect)

Kyle Heckthorn (Brewer's pitching prospect)

Kameron Loe (Pitcher) - and he's 6'8'... wow he was tall!!!

Mark Attanasio - THE BREWER'S OWNER... pretty awesome... he even snapped a pic for us too!

Randy Wolf - pitcher

Jonathan Lucroy - catcher

Madeline and the Diamond Dancers.... she's planning on going to one of their camps, and then performing at one of the Brewer's games... pretty cool... what kid gets to do these things?!?!!?

FANG - from the Timber Rattlers

Drivin' the Brewer's CLUB CAR... as close as she's going to get to driving for a LONG TIME!



Strikin' a pose!



CAN'T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!  GO CREW!

GO PACK GO!

We had the Gutbrod's over for the NFC Championship Game.  We all had a blast! The girls learned very quickly not to run in front of the TV in the living room.  We also learned that Morgan DOES NOT like loud cheering and clapping.... :)

John and I are also trying to win tickets to teh SUPER BOWL and submitted the following pictures... just had to include the G-Force Sign.

Kickin' Off 2011 with a Strike!

Madeline and Lydia went bowling for the first time; Madeline more so than Lydia.  We went with DJohn and Auntie Amy.  Madeline tried for the first time with bumpers... I am not a fan of those... Gregor and I never used them... we had to learn the hard way:)  The way this generation is spoiled... I'll tell ya!  Overall, there's some work to be done, but Madeline had fun and can't wait for her next trip.  Uncle Gregor is coming home for the Super Bowl this weekend, so maybe he'll take her and give her some pointers. 

Wrapping up 2010...

Since it's been well over a month (and a half) since blogging last, I thought I should finish up the year in pics from 2010 before addding 2011.

Here are some Christmas pics... enjoy!

Madeline picking up the Christmas Cookie duties... whew! I don't like to bake!

Anxiously waiting for the cookies...

John teaching the girls how to play the new addition to our family... Madeline's DSi.

Keepin' it REAL!

Snuggling up in her newest BLANKIE!

Does this pic REALLY need a caption?!?!

Lydia on her new TRIKE.... lovin' it!  She has a helmet... don't worry!

Hangin' with Nunna Christmas morning...

The girls watching Toy Stoy 3

All smiles with Aunt Mimi... about 10 minutes before cracking her face on a tobaggin....

Madeline hangin with cousin Emma...

The girls hangin with Uncle Gregor...