I used that title already.....

Quick romp in the snow...very quick!

We had a pretty good snow last night and Brian stayed home from work as the promise of more was on the way. This first photo was taken at 11:02am.....they had just gotten outside to play after 45mins of getting bundled up.

I sense trouble as the gloves stay up in the air......

Meanwhile, Jon....who hadn't checked the news actually WENT to work in the city even though all the schools were closed. When he finally got back to mj he stopped to play for a bit. This was Jacob's version sledding.

Sure enough by 11:07am Stella had had enough and was ready to come back inside. She wouldn't last a week in Buffalo! TeeHee!

Get me some hot cocoa woman!

Underwear is fun to wear!

Does anyone remember the Underoos commercials? I think that was the little jingle or slogan. ANYWAY, we are thrilled to say that Stella has been wearing underwear for almost 2 weeks now. Not the same pair of course....she has an appaling number of adorable undies that range from Dora to peace signs and her new favorites are at least 2 sizes too big but she loves the stripes. "I love stripes mommy". Well, ok then. She still wears a diaper at night and have had one or 2 accidents but other than that she is doing great and we are so proud and excited! Public potty trips are always a challenge because Jacob is along for the ride but I love the safe sitter they had at Babies R Us and had to snap this cell phone shot. TeeHee.

You can see he wasn't a big fan.

Here she is sporting her Yo Gabba Gabba's and showing off her new valentine's shirt from Grammie.

I just loves this shot of Jacob chillin in his new outfit too. He is handsome!

Moses

Stella makes and brings home countless amazing and adorable school art projects each week and I save some but this is my favorite by far. Moses in his little basket in the water. It is a piece of packing material wrapped in a cloth bandaid and placed in a painted egg carton....with google eyes of course. So stinking cute!!!!

This is a random shot of Stella and schoolmate Averie at a playdate playing dress up. They are almost as cute as Moses but not quite.

Aunt Laila

On her 90th Birthday in 2003

In 2007 meeting Stella Barbara

Today I found out that my great Aunt Laila died. She actually passed away yesterday but when my mother called I was having a Pampered Chef party so I didn't pick up and couldn't call back till today. I'm sorta glad I didn't find out with a group of people sitting there.

We used to visit her fairly often in Canadaigua Lake where she lived. What an adorable town and pretty lake it is. I vividly recall the day in my much younger years that she told me burping was just fine and makes you feel better. She had a fabulously candid way about her that was rather refreshing. I dare say I will never forget the look she had on her face as I walked down the isle on my wedding day...she was so happy for me and especially on the behalf of one special person who couldn't be there that day....my grandmother Ellen Cole. They had been neighbors and dear friends growing up and Ellen had married her brother Max who turned out to be a bit of a cad.....by Laila's own admission. But the bond and love and family that was shared between the Cole's and Ellen transcended Max the Husband and Father and cad and lives on flourishing to this day as my mother visits her Cole cousins around the country and certainly shares grief with them at this loss.

The last time I saw Laila she was frail...never a bulky woman to say the least but frail....she loved Burger King and had a fabulous sense of humor and laugh to go with it. I am so happy I was able to place my beautiful Stella in her arms even for a moment and sorry Jacob didn't know that love and joy. I am quite sure Laila and my wonderful Grandmother, whom Jacob is named after, are giggling away in heaven and talking about the fine catch Brian was for me. Hopefully they have sought out his mom and are all enjoying a good sit and chat. I feel like heaven is filled with wonderful porches with big fans overhead and big pitchers of pink lemonade.......along with streets of gold and all that good stuff. I love you Aunt Laila, thank you for blessing my life and touching my heart. You are missed.