Post Valentine weather

We were under the impression that the Groundhog may have made an error in his prediction when we experienced 60 degree weather the week after Valentine's Day this year. However, we awoke one short week later to as Brady described, "A winter wonderland".

This gave the boys much fun outside while Mommy stayed inside and tried to study. However, she just wanted to watch all the fun going on out the back door.

The happiest of all of us, of course, was our beloved Malamute, Kyra. She wrestled with Daddy and had lots of fun until hot chocolate and a private family viewing of "The Karate Kid" called everyone inside. We watched the one "from the olden days" like Mommy & Daddy used to watch.

Ice Skating

For the past several months Brody has been asking to go ice skating. We only have a seasonal rink in our area and we found ourselves rather busy when it initially opened this year. Recently the school district sponsored a "skate night" for employees and their families. We decided it was time to give it a go.

We discovered that it was a little bit more challenging that it looks when you watch folks skate on TV. We also learned that balance is something that everyone needs to practice.

We did make it all the way around the rink two times before we decided we had had enough. Now, if we practice on the Wii fit balance board, maybe we'll be ready for next season!!

More family time!

Great-Grandma Champa came all the way out from Minnesota to visit with us and teach Mom how to make a decent pie crust.

The boys loved spending time with her. So did Kyra, who didn't leave her alone at all while she was here.

We also had a chance to go and visit Tim's cousins Nate and Evan. Great-Grandma was happy to see them, too. We had a lovely dinner party with them.

We also had a chance to see our cousin, Kitt. He's getting so big! Papa Nick was able to keep him still for one single photo. He'll be two very soon, and just like both Brody and Brady he seems to be enjoying acting like he's two already. We had a very nice lunch in Truckee.

Christmas love and lots of visits!

The best gift of all this year wasn't even a gift. In fact, Mamina has had it with her since before Brody was born. It's a very cool Discovery Toys marble set that just never made its way to our house. The boys haven't quite playing with it since they found it and opened it.

Papa Nick loved helping out with the process.

Some other treasures left by Santa. We got up at 3:00 with Daddy. He heard sleighbells overhead when he went outside to start his truck to go to work. We all rushed to the front windows (and the coffeepot...) but to no avail~Santa was already gone. We took a few minutes before Daddy had to go to inspect what he left behind. I guess maybe our boys were good this year afterall.

Later in the day Papa Nick and Brady were both caught reading the paper. They were both really intent. Brady was very impressed with the photos of the UNR basketball team.

We did take some time out to relax and enjoy a great movie! "Dawn of the Dinosaurs" was a rather big hit in our home (as is anything with dinos).

Mamina loves to give back tickles. The March babies together.

Exciting news in the Garrett house

In a move that defies all logic and common sense we in the Garrett house have decided to add to our brood. Yes, it has definitely been an exciting year in the Garrett household. Both Brody and Brady are incredibly thrilled. So thrilled in fact that they spilled the beans at their schools really early. Brady insists that if it's a boy he wants to "send it back". I'm not quite sure he understands there's no chance of that happening! They also want to be in the delivery room-another event that isn't happening. Either way, both of the boys have been practicing good big brother skills and are shaping up to do a great job.




Now in addition to all of the other things that we have to be thankful for, we are praying for a healthy new child in 2010. This new kid is scheduled to arrive on June 5th or so, but we don't really count on those dates in our house.

We had a rocky start to this blessed event and therefore wanted to keep it under wraps as long as possible. We had several "threatened miscarriage" episodes early on. However, we have now had our second trimester (seventeen week & gender-determining) ultrasound and things look great! We have had a picture taken that specified gender, however, we aren't looking. We also have narrowed down names, but that information is top secret, too. I'm sure we'll still be having "heated discussions" regarding names until the folks from the social security office come to our room at the hospital...or until hospital security is called to break it up.

So, now you know the really big stuff that's been happening with us. Thanks for reading and we'll post here as soon as he or she arrives. We would love to have anyone come to visit...after August 1st. We need a few weeks to get ourselves situated.

Preparing our hearts for Christmas~

The best part of our recent snow day was that it gave us the time to find the perfect Christmas tree. Now we just have to be patient until Christmas gets here.

Our recent flood....

Yesterday morning Mommy, Brody and Brady walked out to the hallway and found a not-so-exciting-surprise: a flood in the hallway and spare bedroom.



Fortunately we had a limited amount of damage and with the help of our amazing insurance company we were able to get help quickly.

Daddy even got to come home early from work (proabably because they were sick of Mommy calling so he could tell her where the pertinent equipment was).

We even got to spend the night in a motel! The boys had a very long playdate with a friend and Mommy and Daddy did the best they could to put things back together. Really, we can't do anything until it's all dry...which will probably be Christmas Eve.