Snow Day!!

Snowy backyard!

View from upstairs...

Let it snow, let it snow!

Our snowy street :)

Hooray for Snow Days!! Winter storm Christopher has dumped several inches of snow at our house so far and outside the snow is still falling. It's a heavy, wet snow and the trees in our backyard are covered, creating a beautiful winter scene. This morning on the news they said we have now received more snow this season so far than we did all last winter...and it's only January! Pretty cool, I guess I should go out and buy myself a pair of snowshoes! I can't wait to go outside and explore! Thank you for snow days!

Salmon River

A few weekends ago Erik and I drove out to the Salmon River in Colchester, CT to poke around and enjoy some time outside. It was a pretty overcast day, but we didn't let that get in the way of a nice hike through the woods (and along icy paths) down to see the river.

We also stopped to see the historic Comstock Covered Bridge. I had visited the bridge about a year ago while on a day trip with a friend, but Erik hadn't seen it before, so he got to visit two new sights in one day.

On the way home we couldn't resit a stop at the wonderful Colchester Bakery to pick up some bread. If you have never had bread from Colchester Bakery, you are missing out on a treat! We picked up a loaf of our favorite Russian Pumpernickel bread with these little little black charnushka seeds on the top that smell wonderful! Ahhh...happiness is a good day spent outside and some still-warm-from-the-oven bread!

Snowball Fight!!

While we were visiting my parents over the holiday weekend I had fun spending some time with Jake and Rudy. Jake loves the snow and Rudy, well, he tolerates it! But they both like playing with snowballs. Jake gets so excited and practically knocks me down before I can even get a snowball made so it was pretty tricky getting pictures of him catching snowballs...I was lucky he didn't send me and the camera flying! In the picture above I love how Rudy is looking at the camera and Jake is more interested in the snowball I had in my hand! Here they are having some winter fun in the snow!

Handsome Jake strikes a pose for the camera...

He caught every snowball and loved jumping off the picnic table to get them!

Rudy missed a few times and was giving
me the "why don't you just give me the snowball please" look...

...then he caught one and had to look all rough and tough doing it!

Ringing in the New Year!!

Happy New Year again to everyone! I can't believe it's 2008...something makes me feel this year is going to be amazing. Maybe it's the optimist in me or the fact that 8 is my favorite number, but come on...8 is great, right? We spent New Years Eve with family and friends enjoying food, fun, and fireworks courtesy of Danielle's Dad! A good time was had by all! Here are some photos from our count down 'till 2008 at the Shea's in Woodstock, CT.

Krystal and me being goof-balls and making monkey faces!

Eric and Danielle :)


Group photo time!!

Paul and Krystal :)


Krystal and Paula making some noise for the New Year!!

Adventures in Snowshoeing

On New Year's Eve Erik and I drove up to the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, CT to try our hand at snowshoeing. Erik got some awesome snowshoes for Christmas and has loved doing it, so we rented a pair for me at REI and hit the trails. The conservation center was beautiful...a true winter wonderland! The center is located on 4000 acres of land (yes, that's right...4000 acres!) in Litchfield and we will definitely be visiting it again to hike it's many beautiful trails. Snowshoeing was fun and I can't wait for more snow so I can try again! The photo above is one of my favorites from the day. A quintessential New England barn in the winter...what could be more beautiful!

snowshoes...check!
poles...check!
snow...check!
Let's go snowshoeing!

















Winter Wonderland



























Busy Beavers


























We were in a "Natural Area"...
























Erik enjoying his new favorite winter activity!

Me, all bundled up!

There were giant pine trees all around us, it was gorgeous!

Adiós 2007

Goodbye 2007...Hello 2008!!
Happy New Year!!

Footprints in the snow...

So, the other morning Erik and I were walking out of the house and couldn't help but stop and check out all the footprints on our deck and driveway.  There were bird prints, raccoon prints (I think...), cat prints and a few others we could not identify!  Our backyard must be a pretty hoppin' place on a snowy night because the footprints were everywhere.  I can't wait 'till we get more snow!

Chicago!!

Here is a short slideshow/video of our trip to Chicago to see Brooke!

Holiday Movies

So, while browsing on JibJab the other night I couldn't resist making a few videos with their new "Starring You!" option.  They came out pretty good, so I had to post them on the good old blog.  My family and I got a good laugh out of them on Christmas.  Erik even made a disco video that will remain off the blog for now...but I'm hoping he will let me post it in the future, it's hilarious!  For now, enjoy the two videos on the right-hand side of the blog or view them at my page on JibJab.

Mr. Nutcracker says...

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year!!  Sorry there has been a lack of posts lately.  I haven't been good at keeping up!  The holiday season has kept us quite busy and I will have lots of catching up to do soon!  Merry Christmas!

Weekend Getaway...

Last weekend my sister Mary and I hopped on a plane and flew out to Chicago to visit our cousin Brooke who is living there temporarily for work. It was a very quick trip, but we packed it full of fun! Snowstorm, good food, shopping, and skating filled our 30 hours in the windy city. Here are some shots from the trip...

up, up and away!!

The view was beautiful...

sweet home Chicago...

We went ice skating and saw Santa...

and ate some yummy pizza!

It was an amazing trip and I will be posting more pictures as soon as I can figure out a cool way to do a slideshow.  Mary and I had lots of fun visiting Brooke and can't wait to plan a trip to see her in Florida once she moves back!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

The first big snow of the year! The snows been falling all day, our backyard has been transformed into a winter wonderland, and I slept through the entire thing. :) I'm still battling bronchitis and took the snow day as a chance to rest and recoup...Erik on the other hand was busy as usual working from home and made a video of the snow around 3pm. This photo is actually a still frame from his movie. Neat huh? It's blurry but shows the pile of snow on the deck which has grown even more majestic as the snow continues to fall! Hope everyone had a safe and snowy day!