Weathering the Storm

Here are a few pictures of what our weeks was like. Northwest Arkansas and many other parts of the US were hit with a huge ice storm this week. A majority of the people in our area were without power for days. Most everyone's power returned yesterday except those in the rural areas. We find ourselves very blessed, happy and warm. We were only without power for 5-8 hours a couple of times. It seems like everyone has had someplace warm to go and I think the biggest devastation are the trees. The picture above is a tree in our yard. The tallest limbs had all broken off.

Here is another picture of some of the down trees in our yard. If the branches hadn't broken from all the ice on them they were hanging down very low.

This is what our street looked like. A neighbor's tree fell over into the road.

This neighbot had a huge tree in their yard and most of their branches broke off and many onto their roof. Luckily none of them broke through.

Now that the storm is over everyone seems to be in good spirits and is getting to work picking up the mess that was left behind. Now Carson is ready to purchase a chainsaw and a fireplace insert. I have never really liked the sound of a chainsaw but compared to the multitude of falling branches replicating the sound of war zone I will take the chainsaw any day.

Razorback Mania

Since we have moved here to Arkansas I have been astonished by the University of Arkansas fans. They are, how should I put it, "hard core". I have never witnessed such enthusiasm for a college team before. Not growing up in Arizona, not even close in Idaho and not in Hawaii. All of my friends here in Arkansas are Razorback fans even the ones not originally from here. They seem mystified by my lack of enthusiasm for the hogs. But I have some good news! Since Tuesday night I am moving closer in the direction of a Razorback fan. No I am not going to wear hog paraphernalia or have a hog statue in my front yard or even have flags on my car. But I can admit I do like watching them play.

Tuesday night Carson and I had tickets to see the basketball team play Texas. The Razorbacks were not even ranked and Texas was ranked #7. The previous week Arkansas beat #4 team Oklahoma, which I assumed was a fluke. So needless to say I did not have much hope for Arkansas. Well I was proven wrong. Arkansas won 67-61! It was an exciting game and a loud one at that. I had a headache afterward because of all the screaming and yelling. So the Hogs are back on the map in basketball after beating two #10 teams in a week. And I now I have greater enthusiasm for the Razorbacks.

This one is for you Carson- "Woooooo Pig Sooie!"

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season. We had a very busy Christmas but enjoyed it all. I am sad to see it end. However, I do look forward to the New Year. I mostly look forward to spring, I dread the winter months. But that's a story for another time. Right now I am just happy for what the season had to offer.

Christmas morning! We started Christmas at 9 a.m. when the boys woke up. Crazy! Not quite what I expected but I was happy it wasn't 5 a.m. That's what happens when you get home late from a family Christmas party.

Time to unwrap!

The mess! But is was worth it. It is so much fun watching the boys open their gifts and get excited about each one and then want to play with it right away. I think that is the best part as a parent.

Carson gave his Dad a skeet shooter for Christmas. I think Carson was as excited about the gift as much as his Dad was. The family had fun taking their turns shooting the clay pigeons. I even gave it a try but there is no need to announce the outcome of my attempt.

This picture wasn't Christmas day but a week before. The boys and I along with Carson's mom and siblings went on a train ride. It was an hour long and the boys had so much fun. There was caroling, hot chocolate and Santa on the train. When we got off the train Carter exclaimed. "Oh, that was fun!" He really meant it too because the next day he wanted to go again. This was a highlight for a boy who loves trains.