Snow, Snow and more SNOW!!

It seems as though we are having a LOT of snow! It's fun and pretty and the kids love when they don't have school because of it (they don't realize we might not ever get out for summer break if we keep taking snow days). Anyways, we have played in it and I have shoveled it off of the driveway (it only took me about 1 hour and 45 minutes), we have tracked it all in the car and house, and we have enjoyed watching it pile up in the yard. But, until Sunday, we had not been sledding. I must say that's our favorite thing to do in the snow! We all had fun; the pictures really don't do it any justice. If you are looking for a good time, grab an inner tube, find some snow and a hill...let your worries fade away as you race down and squeal like a 5 year old!

These are from our sledding adventure. Greg pushed the kids in the beginning, but they soon figured out how to run and fall onto the inner tube :)

Blast from the PAST

I have some fresh ideas for the blog! I will be posting a title from time to time called: blast from the past. It's all about the past! It's mostly for me...I love to look back and remember the moments and how much my three J's have changed! I'm all about remembering and reliving some moments through photos.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

What's in Alton, Illinois??

Hey there cutie...whatcha lookin' at?!?!

**BALD EAGLES**

We took a short road trip to Alton, Illinois today. The area is the home to nearly 2000 bald eagles that migrate to the Middle Mississippi River Valley during the winter. We had fun as we spotted eagles and pulled off the road to observe them!

I love this shot...they're all into the eagle!

Yep, that's a frozen Mississippi River behind my girl...she looks like an Eskimo :)

This is an eagle's nest that some locals told us about. Apparently, it's been there for a number of years and a pair of eagles return to it yearly.

After some eagle viewing, we traveled a little farther to Grafton, Illinois to eat the Fin Inn; it was a recommendation by a friend who grew up in the area, thanks Mark! It was a neat place: aquariums at each table, good ole' fried catfish, and an unexpected surprise! Greg had spoken very briefly with an older gentleman sitting near us. He was wearing an AF hat which initiated small talk; he told us he has a grandson in the AF and that he, himself had been in the military. As we were eating, our waitress told us that the man behind us had paid for our bill. Greg did get a chance to thank him and in return the man told Greg "thanks for your service to our country." How touching and so very unexpected!

After lunch, we went back through Alton and had dessert at a small cafe that was recommended. It was cozy and yummy...the kids had a blondie with ice cream, Greg had a slice of warm chocolate pie with coconuts and pecans on top and I had apple praline pie :)

A little lighthouse on the river's edge in Grafton.

-this was one of the many barges pushing through the icy river-

We had a nice outing; I always enjoy doing things that are local to the area. I suppose that's one of the perks of being in the military... traveling and sightseeing in so many different places!

Wordless Wednesday

Just Believe...

Jordan has had a passion for motorcycles since he was young; I mean YOUNG! (I think he gets it natural; as a child, Greg had a passion for them, too. In fact, he got his first motorcycle for Christmas when he was six years old.) For the last several months, Jordan has been asking for a motorcycle for Christmas. The mother in me cringes when asks about one and talks so seriously about getting one. Then, there's this other feeling I get that wants to give him what he so badly wants.

I overheard him telling Santa that he wanted a motorcycle for Christmas. I thought to myself..."not going to happen." Little did I know, that my Daddy (aka, Gampa) had already made this wish come true!

Wishing for a motorcycle with Santa...Standing with Gampa and the real thing!

Gampa also had a go-cart for the other kiddos (big and little)

Christmas Re-cap

We had a fantastic time with our family over Christmas. We left IL and made the 12 hour drive to Greg's mamas in GA; he drove all night and we got there at 5:30 in the morning! His brother was there with two of his children; we had so much fun together, the kids got along so well and Grandma "spoiled" all of them (in a good way).

We had fun celebrating Skylar's 5th birthday together!

Grandma has a tradition of treating the kids to Chuck E Cheese's...the big kids and the little kids had fun! Know what I mean?

Isn't this a bed full?

After being in Reynolds for a week, we headed down to Valdosta to see my family. Again, we had a wonderful visit. As always, we wish we had more time with our family. I feel like this visit was so good because it really was about being together with those we love!

Gampa is the best story-teller...EVER! The kids look forward to bedtime and know that they will have a good laugh!

This is the after-math of Christmas morning...looked like a tornado hit the house :)

Greg and Daddy making their annual icebox fruitcake...so yummy!

Mama and the grand kids making a birthday cake for Jesus

Daddy and Jamison playing with one of the nativities. Jamison likes to get baby Jesus out of the nativity and play with him...so cute!

Jannah, Greg and Carley will be going on tour this summer! Lori gave the kids guitars and they all have a new hobby :)

Gamma and her girls in their Christmas dresses

My sweet Granny and me...I just love her!

Daddy made this BIG moose for Mama, you should know that she has always liked moose! Mama had made the boys moose shirts and Christmas tree shirts for the girls. Aren't they cute?!

Last, but not least...Jordan and the cat that he loves and wishes he could bring home to IL.

Speaking of love...we love our family so much and miss you bunches! Thank you for the wonderful memories we shared!