Blizzard of 2011

 Here is a glimpse of my surroundings since Monday.  We have been snowed in and have yet to leave our little cabin.  13 inches of snow and then yesterday we got another 2 inches.  You know? It's nice to have nature force you into a mini vacation every now and then. If anyone feels the need to come frolic through the snow or build a snow castle, you know where to come...

A birthday for Autumn!!

Autumn turned 3!! Hooray!!

To celebrate I took my family to the Zoo for some special time with the animals :) 

It was so awesome to share what I do with everyone.

The weather was so nice too! 

 

Learning about the animal's diets

 Charlie and Liam with a lemur

So cool!

 Henry the Hippo

 Hungry, hungry hippo...

We had such an awesome day! Along with Lemurs, Tortoises and Henry, we spent the day with tigers, feeding Zebras, Otters and Pelicans.  Such a fun day! Thanks Erin for helping me out with this!

Happy Birthday Autumn!

Christmas Recap

My little family had a wonderful Christmas full of candy, eggnog, presents, and lots of family time. Autumn and Liam were loaded with special things including a baby tiger from Santa for Autumn and a gargantuan stuffed sheep dog for Liam.

 

Joe and Annie 

 Reading together :)

 Christmas Eve

After Santa came :)

 A baby tiger for Autumn

 Filled Stockings!

Watching "The Goonies" movie that Liam got for Christmas

ugh

Do you ever get the feeling that you are not where you are supposed/need to be? 

I have that feeling. Right. Now.

Dear Autumn,

 

  On January 3, 2008 your father and I rushed ourselves to the hospital... Just in time too, my labor with you was only 45 minutes long.

We were SO excited to see you and your full head of red hair.

You seemed to be happy to see us too, you were smiling an hour after you were born...

You were SO little! Only 6 lbs...

But you were the spunkiest little person your father and I had ever met.

You were the most beautiful little munchkin in all the land

 At 4 months old, you lost all your hair... But that didn't dampen your spirits, you were still the prettiest little 

girl in the world

Even though still very small, you enjoyed adventures and have always had the bravest of hearts

 You were and will always be a daddy's girl. 

You have an "understanding" that I will never compare to.

 You take after me though, and can't help but love all animals

You are such a sweet spirit that the animals love and trust you back without question.

You are so much fun! Your laugh and humor could brighten the darkest day.

 

 Your sweet smile brings such peace and love to my heart.

 You have always loved the outdoors and found joy in the simplest of things. 

You are such an amazing example. 

 Your father and I love you more than anything.

 Autumn my dear, you are such a beautiful amazing girl. You brighten up the lives of everyone you meet.  You have such compassion and love for such a small little person.  You are such a gift.  I adore you. 

Please always stay my best friend, my dear little one.  

Happy 3 birthday my dear, sweet Autumn.

I hope your day and all the days to come are filled with magic.

Love, 

     Mom

Someone...

loves cake

What a

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L Day!

My little family and I are going to be spending the 

day and night outdoors...

Everyone else should be too, or else you will regret it. 

Just a hint.

Christmas with the Zahns

We have a lot of newly born traditions in my little family.  

I say "newly-born", because they are only 4 Christmas's old, so they are still growing into true-blue traditions.  

We all open Pj's on Christmas Eve ( I try to do homemade for at least the kids) and with the comfy new sleep wear, we all get brand new wonderful, amazing, socks.

  There is nothing quite like new socks,...

they are heavenly to say the least. 

After that, we give Santa some Egg-Nog and Mexican Wedding Cookies and all head to bed.  

The next day is filled with wonderful goodies and the normal gift-giving celebration. 

Every year, Charlie get's a new season of BBC's All Creatures Great and Small.

  So, we usually sip all kinds of wonderful drinks and eat Summer Sausage and amazing cheese while having an All Creature's marathon. 

It is a simple holiday, but the simpleness is what makes it magical. 

new year, new ideas

I want to dress classy.

I want to dress pretty.

 I want to dress graceful. 

Right now, I wear jeans and t-shirts... 

and I will admit, besides jeans (which I could because we wear the same size)

I share a wardrobe with my husband dearest. 

I am done trying not to care.

I need a makeover. 

Hair, makeup, clothes... 

Anyone want to help me out? I have no idea what I am doing... 

boots

I NEVER dream  of boots...

but I have found myself drooling over these... 

Why must the only boots I like be ones that are vintage/one of a kind/impossible to find??

ugh...

excitment

I adore Christmas

This year it seems like I am enjoying a lot more than I have in the past couple of years. 

Autumn is at the age where she understands who Santa is and that is SO exciting for me as a parent, I never realized how much more fun it is to be the parent at Christmas than the child. 

I don't want to spoil the presents, so I wont say what I got everyone yet, but I am excited to tell after Christmas.  

I will however spill the beans on Autumn's new room. 

I feel rather proud at my thriftiness :) 

I got a very nice bed that usually goes for 300 dollars off of craigslist for 1/7 that price. 

I also snagged some new carpet and pad for BOTH the kids room for only 100 bucks! 

Autumn's new bed will sport this cute bedspread

... which only cost $35!

 I will embroidery pillows and my wonderful artistic husband will be water-coloring paintings of an owl, fox and tree. 

I am SO excited!! 

I will put pictures of the finished product when we are all done.