Snowman

Mike and Claire went out to build a snowman today. Its been nice, around 50 degrees for the past day or two, so I thought they'd have a difficult time since most of the snow has melted. Turns out everything that is left is really wet and perfect for making giant snowmen. Who knew? I went out to take pictures and found he had enlisted help form our neighbors.
































I think he has character!

Christmas

We have been celebrating all week. We spent the days right before Christmas at a hotel featuring an indoor water park. While we were there, we took a trip to the 'North Pole' on the Polar Express, which was pretty incredible. Tickets are distributed by lottery months in advance, but somehow Mike was able to track three down. It was worth the work. Basically you live the book, from the train ride into the mountains to crowds of elves to the silver bell cut from a reindeer's harness. It was a lot of fun, and very memorable.


























Mike and Claire have been skiing four times this week, making good use of Mike's season pass at Shawnee Peak. Claire loves it. She has turned into the classic kid who zips down the hill, turning and stopping with ease, as adults look on, struggling to keep their balance while standing still. The difference between her skill level this year as compared to last year is pretty incredible. By the time I can get back out there next winter, she'll be skiing circles around me, just like Mike.













We drove the White Mountain Trail, which was beautiful. The mountains seemed to rise up out of nowhere, and they were everywhere. We had a great day weather-wise, but the steep winding roads were still a little questionable in a lot of areas.













And this is Mount Washington. This was the first time I'd really seen the mountian, and I have to say I'm now much more impressed that Mike has not only hiked it, but then skied down several times. We'll have to give Claire a few more years before she can try it herself.














Christmas Day itself was wonderfully relaxing. We spent some time with our families using the webcam, we all opened many fantastic gifts, and some of us (Mike) took several naps. We finally got ourselves together for Christmas dinner with friends, which was also very special. Couldn't have asked for more.

First Winter Storm

We had our first winter storm of the season last night and into this morning, and it covered everything in about one inch of ice. We spent the night and morning without electricity or heat, but just as we were about to leave for a warmer place everything magically came back on. I think just hearing the furnace finally kick on made me feel warmer. A few of our Maple trees lost branches, though none of the other trees seemed to have problems. And when the sun came out and set, everything was sparkling and beautiful, which really is the best part of an ice storm.

Halfway Point

Today I had the big 20 week ultrasound. 20 weeks down, 20 more to go. Hopefully the second half will go as well as the first.

We took Claire out of school for the day so she could come along and see the ultrasound. I think at first she was very unimpressed. She sat in the chair and read books. I don't blame her, those black and white pictures can be pretty obscure. But she really got into it when the sonographer started looking at the spine and ribs, which were much more identifiable than other parts. She was also very interested in the actual ultrasound machine.

Everything looks great. We even got a thumbs up from the baby. And we stuck to our decision to not find out if its a boy or a girl. We'll know in 20 more weeks!

The Candy Cane Festival

Today a candy maker down the street (Len Libby) held their annual 'Make Your Own Candy Cane' event. There was a long line when we showed up, but it moved along quickly, and the day was nice so it wasn't a big deal. Claire chose to make a heart candy cane on a stick which took all of 30 seconds, and we saw Lenny, who is apparently the world's only life-sized chocolate moose. So I can cross that off my list of things I can't leave Maine without seeing.



















































After, we went Christmas shopping. There are a few small things we have to pick up, but I'm very happy to be done with the majority of it.

Thanksgiving

We're thankful for good friends and good food.


























And good dogs that won't eat your cheese, even though they really really really really REALLY want to.

Day off

Monday was a rare day in that Mike and I both had the day off, and Claire had school. We had a big breakfast of eggs, toast and ham, and then stopped by Dunkin Donuts for hot chocolate on the way to the beach.

This rock wall caught my eye, the colors were so pretty.













And one of the little things that makes me smile: Claire found a stash of paper bags in the closet, and she has been using them to make Mike lunches to take to work.

The past few days, I have been going a little stir crazy. Its been rainy and now it gets dark at 4:30 (I'm typing this at 5:00, and it might as well be midnight outside). AND Mike has been working afternoons. When he leaves its just Claire and I, inside with not much to do. So today we took full advantage of the sun and warm weather and went to the beach.













We were there for a few hours a bit after 2pm. That first picture was taken at 2:45. See how low the sun is in the sky? And its only going to get worse. But on the positive side, it was warm enough for Claire to take off her shoes and socks and run around barefoot. She has this laugh that I never hear, other than when she takes her first few steps in the sand. I've mentioned it before, but this girl loves the beach.













After building an entire sand castle village we took some to watch the waves roll in. They were really big, but they broke one at a time, giving us enough time to enjoy each one as it curled over and crashed into the sand. I don't think I'd have to look back very far to find a picture of Mike with this exact same look on his face.

Vote.

I voted. Not today, like the sticker says, but Mike and I absentee voted a few weeks ago. I'd recommend it to anyone, next time around, of course.

Halloween and then Boston

Halloween went well. Claire dressed up as a red blood cell. I'm not sure many people knew what in the world she was, but she loved it and that is what counts. She earned a fair amount of candy, which she is very willing to share with Mike and I.

After Halloween, we went to Boston. We got a hotel, had a nice dinner downtown and then spent the day today at the New England Aquarium and IMAX theater. We had a great time. Claire really enjoyed the movie. It was in 3D, and it was fun to see her reach out to try to touch a whale or dolphin. Mike and I, on the other hand, enjoyed hanging out downtown. We all won.

Bedtime Stories

Mike and I keep to the same basic schedule at Claire's bedtime. Pajamas on, teeth brushed, story and then lights out. We just do the story part a little differently. We both let Claire pick a book, and she usually chooses books like The Magic School Bus or Dr. Seuss, or something you'd find in the kids section of the bookstore or library. The difference is that Mike then follows that up with a little trip through the Human Atlas. Claire loves it. Especially the picture of the skull showing where baby teeth and adult teeth are.

Recent Pictures

Learning the download process for a new camera wasn't involved at all...

Here is Claire playing in the leaves, Claire laughing at her own joke, and Claire eating a gummy eyeball.

#2

Its been well over a month since I've updated this blog. I don't really have a great excuse, but I'll do the best I can: I'm pregnant! I've been busy sleeping! And not eating anything and being nauseous! Thats kind of an excuse, right? Actually all the uncomfortable parts of being pregnant have been gradually getting better. I've just started my fourth month, so hopefully things keep moving in that direction. We are all very excited. I think the best part so far is seeing Claire's reaction and watching her get excited. She's going to be a wonderful big sister come this April.

Other than that, Mike has been interviewing for jobs in Wisconsin. Nothing has been signed yet, no promises made, but I think its safe to say we'll be in Madison before this summer, a few weeks or so after the baby is due. Which is a lot more convenient than a few weeks before the baby is due, in my opinion.

So, changes are coming.

And I bought a brand new fancy camera. Not nearly as exciting as a new baby or a new job, but its something I've wanted for a long time. I bought a Nikon D60. I'm slowly making my way through the users manual, which is just about a book. I haven't reached the part about downloading pictures yet, so I don't have anything new or recent to post. But I do have a few older photos from a Pumpkin Festival and from Camden, Maine.

The Big Day

The Great State of Maine Air Show

My parents have been in town visiting for a few days, and lucky for them, The Great State of Maine Air Show took place this weekend in Brunswick. The airshow was much more impressive than I thought it would be. Something was going on at all times in the sky, and planes of all shapes and sizes were on the ground, most of them open for walking through.










































We saw F-16s do their stuff in the air, which was loud and impressive. We saw little double-winged planes do some crazy tricks, a wing-walker, parachutists who could jump out of a plane two miles up and land on a target smaller than a frisbee. And we saw a 45 minute air show by the Blue Angels, something my dad has always wanted to see. Also very impressive.




























It was a beautiful day weather-wise as well. Hanna only skimmed us, and the clouds held off until the very end. It was perfect.

Tomorrow is Claire's first day of school and 5th birthday. I'm sure my mom and I will be up tonight baking the cake and decorating the house (I always decorate the birthday person's doorway and chair at the table for birthdays, but it sounds like there might be a helium tank involved this year). It should be a fun day tomorrow too.

Just about ready

Claire starts Kindergarten on Monday, so this week we are getting ready. Some stuff is more fun than others. For example, 5 year old immunizations are not fun, but shopping for the first day of school outfit is.



















I think by the end of the week we'll have covered it all. Dentist visit, Doctor visit, clothes shopping, Kindergarten screening, Kindergarten Open House, school supply shopping, and grocery shopping to get some appropriate lunch items. I doubt she'll be able to warm up leftovers in the microwave like we do for lunch at home, so there are quite a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in my future. I'd love to hear good school lunch ideas, because really, all I got is PB&J, and different flavors of jelly probably will only get me so far.

Up to Date.

I downloaded the pictures from my camera tonight, and I realized I have a little catching up to do.

A few weeks ago, Mike, Claire and I took a canoe trip in the Scarborough Marsh. A few days later, Claire hosted an Olympic Party. Then we went to the airport where Claire did some interpretive dancing. We got on an airplane and started our two week Wisconsin Vacation. The beach house and camping portions of the WI trip are over and we had a blast doing both. Just like the first part of our trip, the rest of the days will be nice and relaxing. I have quite a few pictures. Here are a few of my favorites, and the rest can be found in this Picasa Album.