ice! i mean... snow!!!

well, we are in the midst of winter. omaha does nearly guarantee a white Christmas, however, it isn't like the lovely snow of utah (it is utah's theme after all- "greatest snow on earth"). this past weekend it was as low as -10 degrees and could get as low as -30 with the wonderful omaha windchill factor. add humidity and we have an awesome mix for miserable cold!

todd finally convinced me to bundle up and go outside to "enjoy the snow." i think the love of my life has forgotten he married a californian. :) we don't have a sled, so todd got a box and, with some imagination... voila!!!


we tried to make a snowman but the snow didn't pack. so todd made a pile with sheets of ice instead. i am so glad that he likes the snow so much. i am confident he will love taking ellie out in it as many times as she likes!

baby showers

i have been very blest in that i have been able to have many sweet people in my life. those here in omaha have been wonderful in sharing the exciting introduction of our little baby girl. i actually had two showers at work. what a lucky girl! the wednesday before thanksgiving was the shower i knew about. but, since the paraprofessionals were not going to be at work that day, they instead surprised me the day before with snacks, a diaper cake and other thoughtful gifts. these ladies are those who give me sanity with my day. they are the ones who make copies, watch over my kiddos during lunch, work the office, and are my technology salvation.

then on wednesday the teachers had a shower for ellie. there was a tasty luncheon first. the staff was very kind and generous, we received the bouncy chair and high chair todd and i registered for, along with other nice gifts.

i really despise this photo of myself, however it is worth it to show you my dear friend anna. anna teaches kindergarten at columbian. she is a fantastic teacher and a wonderful friend. anna is the sweet one who put this shower all together. the decorations were super cute and everything was fun. so, big props to anna!

one of my students and her mom also gave me a shower at their home with some of my class and their parents. it was very nice to see everyone outside of the classroom in a beautiful home. there were fun games, yummy food, and thoughtful gifts. it was a book theme (how appropriate for their 3rd grade teacher!), so we received board books among other things.

i have to admit, the shower with my students was probably the least embarrassing one. it is all fun and games when you go to a shower, stand, watch, and cheer on another. it is a far different tune when you are the one who is the "star" and being surrounded, watched, and embarrassed. however, at least with my students i was able to involve them in the fun. they were more than anxious to play the games, see the gifts, clamor around me and be a part of the fun.

since i am playing catch up in order of photos, the elusive pregnant jeanette is next. this was a month ago, so i was about 31 weeks along. (see, we really did intend to keep up on our blog!)

there are only two outfits that fit for church now: this black jumper and a black skirt. a big thanks to my friend angie for providing both of them. i had spent so much money on maternity work clothes, i really procrastinated getting church things. angie gave me her clothes after giving birth to her sweet little girl and they have saved me!

disc golf

before the winter season set in we were able to get in a last disc golf game. it got dark really fast, so we could only get in a portion of the course, but we knew this would be the last time there for a few months.