where did all this snow come from???

I've never seen this much snow in my life! It hasn't stopped in the past 24 hours! All of our snow had melted has of the beginning of this month, and all of a sudden last week we got dumped with new snow. The fresh blanket of white is beautiful. But needless to say, I'm snowbound today. Good thing I have some frozen suppers to start thawing, because Mondays are usually my grocery day.

One of the highlights of my country living day is to get the mail. But, if the road where your mailbox is not plowed and covered in snow, they won't deliver. So no mail for me today. :(  Jeremy even plowed yesterday after church, but there is now SO MUCH new snow blocking the box.

this is a view down the Road. 

the front gate/driveway.

driveway.

milkbarn and part of the driveway.

and little Peanut before church yesterday with a little bit of crazy hair. (nothing that a headband/bow couldn't cure though.) 

and a special shout out to my older sister JESSICA - it's her birthday and she just found out today (via ultrasound) she is having a baby BOY!!! (which is awesome, because poor little Ethan is surrounded by his 3 younger -and crazy- sisters!!!) We haven't had a baby boy in our family since Ethan -8 years ago. 

Pearce and her 11 month photos

I can't resist taking pictures of Pearce on her monthly "birthdays". I love any excuse for photos of my baby girl and I've compiled a month-by-month photo book on Shutterfly for this purpose. I like to be able to see the big changes at each month - as opposed to the gradual, subtle daily changes.

Yesterday we were still at Jeremy's parents house and I snapped away while she was fearless scooting down the two steps into the piano room, taking off with momma's phone, and even let her try a hand at the piano. For such a goofy, silly little girl, she was surprisingly very dainty on the piano, and dare I say it kind of sounded good? (Or am I just a proud mama? hehehe) 

As much as I (unfortunately) hated (six years of) piano lessons...I still think I might make my kids take lessons, too. With the hope that they will like it.

valentines and what not.

Valentine's dinner was a surprise for Jeremy. I found a copy-cat recipe for his FAVORITE meal at Cheesecake Factory - the Louisiana Chicken Pasta (Parmesan Crusted Chicken Served Over Pasta with Mushrooms, Peppers and Onions in a Spicy & Creamy New Orleans Sauce.) I found the recipe here at a cajun cooking blog. Other cajun meals on the menu this week include my first shot at red beans & rice. And we'll save a big pot of Gumbo for next week, since we are heading to Mercer Island for the holiday weekend.

And since I'm feeling a little love-sappy...I dug up some of our engagement photos back in 2006.

My one true love.

My forever valentine.

My PIC.

I got a big bunch of carnations for Valentine's, and played around with arranging in green floral foam. I'm practicing for Pearce's birthday party, because I wanted something pretty and feminine for decor.  I'm also working on a photo garland, and a homemade pinata inspired by this and this. And still trying to nail down the luncheon menu. But definitely know i'm making these. And I'm thinking Zac Brown Band would make for great mood/party music.

And speaking of love (because  it's valentine week in my book)-- I've been listening to my lil sis, Amy's version of Natasha Beddingfield "Love Like This" on repeat the past few days. Check out here other cover songs on her new blog.

And a few pictures of my happy girl today. Doing what she loves. Check out mid-air scoot below! Eating big girl foods (bananas, nectarines, multi-grain cheerios). and Standing up.

and P.S. - it's been snowing all day!! It's like powdered sugar explosion floating everywhere outside. 

miscellaneous

Jeremy just made the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. What a treat.

I made some new friends in our little branch and went to a girls' craft night on Friday. We made cute Valentine Day wreath. I still need to add a bow to mine.

I was called as Young Women's 2nd Counselor today and i'm really excited about it. I've wanted to be back in young womens ever since I graduated.

It's been really sunny here lately.

I have a bunch of Cajun dinners planned for this coming week that I'm excited about. A few new ones I've never tried. And I found a recipe for Mardi Gras King Cake that I'm gonna make soon. I already bought purple, green, yellow sugar at Joann's the last time I was there. One of these days, I need to get Jeremy and Pearce to a real Mardi Gras celebration. Maybe next year? Jess, Freddie -- are y'all still going this year?

A few days ago we went with Jeremy to the university for a Chinese New Year celebration. Pearce had her name translated into Chinese characters. Translated: Ke Pie Si (Curfew, Pearce)

They also had a lion dance. I love this stuff! And so did Pearce. She wasn't afraid at all- in fact after the lion tried to eat her (15 second clip below), she later chased after it. I asked Jeremy if Pearce's birthday party next year could be Chinese themed, and if I somehow figured out how to make/sew a lion or dragon suit, if he would be the head if I were the butt.



Pearce is all about the details. She finds the screws in doors, the tiny pearl earrings in my ears, the small buttons on cardigans, the crumb on the counters, the one strand of hair floating in front of my face.

She is scooting around like crazy and bounces higher and higher the faster she goes. We'll occasionally see a tripod scoot and wonder if she might just crawl. But then she'll sit right back up and carry on.

She routs with daddy while watching Supercross, pointing and fussing at the TV and waving her arms in the air. She's a little copycat.  Copies any cough or sneeze. And loves to drop toys and books and say uh-oh (like all day long).

And I'm excited for a few trips we have planned! For one, Me and Pearce are going to BYU graduation in April for my sis and bros double graduation. Go Laura! Go Freddie! Laura technically graduated in December, and already has a job! Amazing. Working girl. And I also get to hang out with my BFF Brooke in SLC for a day or two. I miss you Utah.

shadowbox

I picked up a shadowbox at Joann's last week when I saw they were 50% off. I had been wanting to do something with the little keepsakes for Pearce that I had in a small box. 

I got the 10x10 size thinking I didn't have that much stuff. But wished I would have gotten the next size up, because I kept thinking of more things to shove in.  But edited down to:

• Ultrasound picture when we found out she was a girl! (I'll never forget that day. So exciting. Calling our parents, siblings and close friends to share the news.) 
• Birth announcement that I doodled to match the onesie jammies she wore home from the hospital.
• The first bow I picked out for her--a lou&lee felt flower bow. 
• Her hospital band. So tiny. Still remember it on her ankle.
• Little booties my mom sent with a beautiful dress. She sent it to me on my very first day of maternity leave. So thoughtful. She knew I couldn't WAIT to leave work!! hehehe
• And a little locket of hair. Her hair was SOOO dark when she was newborn. Glad I snipped a piece.