Crazy Commute!!!

Okay, I have to share Todd's commute yesterday because it makes me truly grateful to be a stay at home mom. As most of you know we have seen some serious snow for Seattle. We probably got about 12 inches here in Poulsbo, the streets are still covered and there is ice everywhere because the temperatures have stayed in the 20's so nothing is melting. Todd had taken work off last Thursday and Friday because of snow and then we got a huge dumping on Sunday as well that actually shut down the airport. However, Todd needed to go into work on Monday to do payroll. So he puts chains on the mini-van, gets dressed in his snow pants and running shoes with accompanying waterproof backpack and off he goes. He drives down to the park and ride on some very icy roads. Parks the van, takes the bus from Poulsbo-Bainbridge Island and takes the ferry accross to Seattle. He then runs 4 miles to work in the snow and ice, gets to work and showers and changes, works a 10 hour day, changes back to running clothes, runs to the bank to make a company deposit only to find out the bank is closed because of trecherous weather, then runs to the ferry 4 miles away(after stopping to chat with a friend he meets on the snowy streets of Seattle, and barely makes the ferry by 3 minutes, ferries back to Bainbridge Island, hops on the bus back to the park in ride in Poulsbo, drives to Central Market to pick up medicine for Ellie, because she has a UTI (although our Dr.'s office is shut down, the on-call doctor okays a prescription based on symptoms) and then makes it home by 7:00. All in all, made for a very long day for him, but for me as well. We have been snowed in here all week. I tried to make it out last Thursday to pick up Todd and the girls as they were going on a snow trek which was a little too long for Ellie. Got a cell phone call to pick them up about 1.5 miles a way (pretty long trek for the girls don't ya think?) but I got stuck in our little car about halfway up a hill. A kind older man helped me back my car down and Todd had to go get it later. I am very content to stay at home after that until all of this clears out. Here are some recent pics of us in the snow. Like I said, this is unbelievable for this area. CRAZY!!

Little Dancer

Ellie demonstrating her new moves. She has become quite the dancer and singer.

Homemade Gingerbread house

We decided to make out own gingerbread house out of chocolate graham crackers, homemade creame cheese icing and bulk candy from Central Market. TASTY!! Only lasted 2 days.

Beautiful Taylor!

Taylor out sporting her winter coat and hat, and my cashmere scarf. Just got it last week and she has decided it is very warm and wants to keep it for herself. I guess the clothes sharing thing is starting a little early at the Uffens house. I think I am in for big trouble!!!

Snow Anyone?

After making quite the snowman, we discovered we didn't have a carrot for the nose. So my imaginative Taylor ran in an grabbed a hot dog. Looks Hillarious, not sure if you can see it. What is even more funny, is later on, Ellie wanted a hot dog for lunch but we were out. Taylor decided it would be okay to grab the hot dog nose for Ellie to have. Says, "We just have to warm it up a bit Mom."

Best Friends Forever!!

Best Friends

Crazy Commute!

Okay, I have to share Todd's commute yesterday because it makes me truly grateful to be a stay at home mom. As most of you know we have seen some serious snow for Seattle. We probably got about 12 inches here in Poulsbo, the streets are still covered and there is ice everywhere because the temperatures have stayed in the 20's so nothing is melting. Todd had taken work off last Thursday and Friday because of snow and then we got a huge dumping on Sunday as well that actually shut down the airport. However, Todd needed to go into work on Monday to do payroll. So he puts chains on the mini-van, gets dressed in his snow pants and running shoes with accompanying waterproof backpack and off he goes. He drives down to the park and ride on some very icy roads. Parks the van, takes the bus from Poulsbo-Bainbridge Island and takes the ferry accross to Seattle. He then runs 4 miles to work in the snow and ice, gets to work and showers and changes, works a 10 hour day, changes back to running clothes, runs to the bank to make a company deposit only to find out the bank is closed because of trecherous weather, then runs to the ferry 4 miles away(after stopping to chat with a friend he meets on the snowy streets of Seattle, and barely makes the ferry by 3 minutes, ferries back to Bainbridge Island, hops on the bus back to the park in ride in Poulsbo, drives to Central Market to pick up medicine for Ellie, because she has a UTI (although our Dr.'s office is shut down, the on-call doctor okays a prescription based on symptoms) and then makes it home by 7:00.

All in all, made for a very long day for him, but for me as well. We have been snowed in here all week. I tried to make it out last Thursday to pick up Todd and the girls as they were going on a snow trek which was a little too long for Ellie. Got a cell phone call to pick them up about 1.5 miles a way (pretty long trek for the girls don't ya think?) but I got stuck in our little car about halfway up a hill. A kind older man helped me back my car down and Todd had to go get it later. I am very content to stay at home after that until all of this clears out. Here are some recent pics of us in the snow. Like I said, this is unbelievable for this area. CRAZY!!

Finally a Smile!

After being constantly overstimulated by the girls; (Megan covers the swing, covers herself trying to get Addy to calm down) and then finally we get a smile.

Happy Birthday Ellie

Happy Birthday Ellie. We were able to go to Red Robin for the big 5 year old. She loved all the employees singing to her and wearing the party hats. She especially liked the Polly Pockets (any advice on how to keep track of all the little parts?)

Champs Meet Dec. 13

Hannah competing in Champs meet. See video. Pretty awesome venue; a little overwhelming! She did great and placed 9th out of about 40 top 100 Fly girls in state. We couldn't believe it. Now if we could only get her to gain 20 pounds and grow about a foot.

Fat and Sassy

Addison at two months is getting fatter and fatter. She is thinking about being happy now. At least not incessently screaming. The girls love on her all the time and I can't believe it has been two months. Partly because my days and nights are one big blur!

10 year old Girls Champ

Hannah, after receiving her trophy for overall 1st in 10 year old girls division.

Swimming Anyone?

We are deep into swimming here. Hannah and Megan just competed in a Pentathalon last week where Hannah came in 1st for 10 year old girls and Megan came in 2nd for 13 year old girls. Taylor is now on Swim Team also and is not yet competing in meets. Here is Ellie after just swimming the entire 25 yard of the pool for the first time. She is unbelievable for 5. Needless to say we are big supporter of our pool and should receive MVF (most valuable family) coupons.

Hannah at Champs Meet in Federal Way Dec 2008

Ellie & Addison

Ellie joins the big sister club. This is how Addison is 23/7 but it doesn't seem to phase Ellie. She's a great helper.