Hey...

Im feeling kind of blah...we got some snow today, but once again, not the monster storm they were calling for. If we have to have snow then at least it should be monster snow! Wes finally bought the atv hes been wanting forever. Hes having lots of fun, we all are, I went riding for a couple hours on wednesday back along the creek, we saw 2 bald eagles fly over, that was cool. It came with a plow to go on it so he was able to plow the driveway instead of shoveling it this morning, that made his back very happy. Hes out pulling the little kids on a sled with it now. its nice and quiet in here. Im baking peanutbutter bar cookies with thick chocolate frosting on them, what I really wanted was brownies with peanut butter frosting , but my homemade brownies never turn out , and i dont have any box. Wes and I had a leisurely morning and made breakfast at home, we were out to eat twice this week already. Fridays and mondays are the only days there are no kids around between 9-2. We drove out to the Amish boot store and bought boots, gloves and sock for the kids after breakfast. I made yummy macaroni and cheese with our usda cheese for dinner. We went to a new resturant in Gowanda on thursday and the walls were painted lime green, not neon though, and the tables and chairs were black. Im thinking that would look good in my kitchen. I feel like making flower pillows for my couch and flower curtains for my windows...spring better get here soon... love ya Sandi

obsessed

I've been obsessed with cupcakes lately. I know I'm not the only one, there are tons of cupcake blogs, and the morning shows have been doing segments about the "cupcake craze". I've been making cupcakes, reading about cupcakes, and I've decided to find the best cupcake in Lexington. Last Saturday Phil and I went to check out Lexington's newest cupcakery, Gigi's. Gigi's opened right next to the Starbucks that J works at. I know I'm not the only cupcake crazed person in Lexington because there was another woman, with her husband and child in tow, taking pictures of the store and all the cupcakes. I did not take my camera, but I did get pictures after I brought home the goods! We bought two cupcakes, the Chocolate Malt, and the Hunka Chunka Banana Love. We ate the Banana one Saturday night. It was pretty, but not really a cupcake in my opinion, more like a chocolate chip banana muffin, with frosting. Butter cream frosting, not really that good. The frosting was a little waxy. The muffin was good, but not a cupcake. Sunday we at the chocolate malt. The cupcake tasted like flour, chocolate flour. Yuck! The frosting was good, chocolate malt butter cream, not waxy, a little crunchy on the outside because it was a day old, but still good. I'm thinking I don't need to go back there, we'll try something different this weekend. There is another cupcakery across the street from Gig's. I think I will try them out this weekend, or perhaps I'll wait until I get to Seattle and see what they have there. I know there are several cupcakeries and coffee houses within walking distance of our hotel, I plan to get to as many as I can! That doesn't help me find the best cupcake in Lexington, but I don't mind the diversion. I plan on taking lots of pictures, being over caffeinated (Seattle is THE place for coffee!)and eating lots of frosting next week! Of course I'm going to check out other things like the space needle and the coastline, maybe take a ferry trip to Canada, or Alaska! But who says I can't drink coffee and eat cupcakes at the same time!And just for Phil, we will be eating at Hard Rock Cafe, just opened this month!

J you are hilarious I like the glasses. the coffee looks good on a better note I found chai tea latee with no caffeine to make at home. The kids just got pictures done and we are working on making cards and sending them out to everyone. School is good and work is great. The snow is still here. Jon is so lucky. Lvoe you all Sorry its so short. I'll get to catch up soon.
Brandi

Good Morning!

Michigan

We returned home from Michigan last night. We had a great time, we played games , built hotels, canned 20 jars of 10 bean soup, made a large rug, went to pioneers with Daaron and Aunt Deb ,had a birthday party, and went to Cabelas...twice! At Cabelas we shopped , browsed, fed fish, and ate ostrich, elk, and bison, yum!

February 15 in San Diego

The day we got snow I sent Jon a text saying that is was snowing like crazy. His response was this picture, and a note saying 72 degree's, come visit. Now isn't that disgusting!!!

we'll see what happens

Missing for days

Yeah! It feels like I've been missing for days. I have been at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in western Kentucky. I'm in a new unit. FIELD ARTILLERY! Basically that will mean that the soldiers that I minister to have... Rocket Launchers. BIG Rocket Lauchers. I have a couple of pictures of what they look like. Our unit will have a family day in May sometime. We will be going to Fort Knox, Kentucky with the rocket lauchers and will be firing them at one of the ranges. (Did I mention that it will be FAMILY day?)

Well I think I'm gonna have dinner with Tami, J and Amy. I saved my bottle of hot sauce that I got in my MRE (Meals, Ready to Eat) for Amy. She likes spicy.

Miss you all.

Uncle Phil

We have real snow!

Yesterday morning I woke up to this, real snow. The sun was shining brightly when I woke up, I was so happy, I needed a little sun, I looked out the window and everything was glistening white! I had to get out and get some pictures. By the time I got dressed and out of the house, the sun had disappeared and the snow was falling again. The wind picked up and snow was blowing everywhere. It's the first time since I've lived in KY that we have had real snow. I had to get and and find a way to clear the sidewalk, because my mail man said he won't deliver the mail if he can't get to the door. The sad thing is, I don't have a shovel, haven't needed one until now, so I went outside and did the thing I've laughed and so many living in KY do. . .I swept my snow. Yes, with a broom. I felt rediculous the whole time, but I have to have my mail. Only after the humiliation of sweeping my path, and wrestling my trash can, which was firmly glued (frozen) to a pile of loose cardboard it was sitting on. Then I realized it was Presidents day and neither the mailman or the trash man would be coming! AAAHHHH

This morning all of the cars are covered again, just a little and snow flakes are drifting about. Sadly, I had to concel othe bunco game again this week, I'm so sad because Phil has been gone for 7 days and it's getting a little lonely!

our new home

Here are some pictures of our moving day. It was a little busy, but we had great help, and I made sure that we knew where the coffee was at all times. ( Phil bought me the flowers, aren't the pretty.)

I want you to see the 1980's features of our new home. Notice the lovely pink carpeting and the pepto pink walls. We also have some lovely light fixtures. We've already begun stripping the wall paper and borders. That has been keeping me busy while Phil is away. He's been gone for 10 days since we moved in! He got a lot done while he was here. I'm hoping to be able to show you some of the before and after pictures, while we do some updating.
Miss you all!

Lake Erie in Feb.