NO MORE BOTTLE!

Well Annika and I decided to spend this snow day indoors. Today is usually a daycare day, but maybe I'll be in the mood to venture out tomorrow. It has been snowing ALL day today and we are supposed to get more tonight. It has warmed up quite a bit--but I still ain't going out in it!

Annika hit a new milestone today. She has made it 24 hours without a bottle and is now drinking from a sippy cup! Last week we started introducing milk, so she is now getting 2-3 oz. of whole milk with her formula. I am counting the days until ALL milk and NO formula!

Reading a book with dad.

Annika the big girl with her sippy cup!

Our side yard this, taken this afternoon.

Our neighbors water feature (it is supposed to be running water).
This was a couple days ago so it has built up even more ice.

7 DEGREES!

SEVEN DEGREES.... as I sit here and type it is 7 degrees!! We have snow, not as much as the surrounding areas. Were kind of in this little belt where it is usually warmer and does not get as much severe weather as the towns around us. I got a good laugh today as we were out and about. The streets were full of packed snow and here everyone was going about their day calm as could be...and then I thought about what it would be like if I was driving around Hillsboro while snowing...CRAZY...everyone would be freaking out! I also got another laugh this evening when I heard that schools over there are already called off. UH.....we will be very lucky if Gary gets a two hour delay. For me I still am expected to see students unless their local school district is closed. I am very thankful I don't have to go Tygh Valley (Maupin) this week!

Tomorrow Annika and I are going to head into Gary's school and be part of their Child Development class. Students will get to interact with Annika and I will sit on a parent panel and answer questions. YES, me answering questions on parenting...who woulda thunk it! You know I do have a degree in Child Development--scary but true.

A Visit with Santa!

Today we took a trip down the road to Redmond's, "Operation Santa Clause." A reindeer farm that is home to over a 100 head of reindeer. However, this time of year most of them are on the road spreading the holiday cheer. The farm has been around since the 1950's and they have a viewing area year round--so next time your in town you'll have to stop by.

Annika had her first picture taken with Santa who was joined by his reindeer, Ornament. Apparently, Dasher, Dancer, Vixen, etc. are resting at a nice Spa at the North Pole relaxing and preparing for Christmas Eve night...so they sent their cousin to do the PR work. Ornament was kind of grumpy and actually had to take a short walk before our picture--must be camera shy.

Here are some pics of our day.

We didn't know this reindeer's name, but we decided to call him
Rodney, The Redneck Reindeer.

Annika and her daddy looking at all the reindeer in the pasture.

Ornament and her elf friend.