So Long, 2012!

I thought I would close out the year with some family pics. I've already shared many of these on Facebook and a few on our Christmas cards, but there were just so many good ones! Happy 2013 to all!

(www.pumpedproductions.com)

More Snow Day Pics

Just as things are getting back to normal around here, they are predicting another round of winter weather.  Say it ain't so, Ned Perme! While I still have electricity and WiFi, I'll post a few more snow pictures.  Be sure to watch the video of my dad sledding at the end!

Nathan's Snow Fort

Nate, Amanda, Mikayla, Dad, and AJ

The Blizzard of 2012

Just after my last post on Christmas night, our deck looked like this:

We all settled in upstairs to watch "The Goonies" on the kids' new TV.  We made it almost to the end of the movie, and then we lost power...again. :(  When we woke up on Wednesday morning, the deck looked like this:

That's what 9+ inches of snow looks like!! Wow! Unfortunately, this winter wonderland has caused 200,000+ customers to be without power in Arkansas.  Yesterday, the Stanisors came over for some sledding.  We all got in on the action, and Jeff has the video to prove it.  I will not, however, be posting the video of Audry racing me downhill.

  

As much as I've tried to keep the kids from complaining about our circumstances, five days in a calendar week is about my limit on being in the dark.  I was pretty tired of it this morning.  Tired of being cold, tired of sleeping in the living room, tired of everything smelling smoky.  This pioneer lifestyle is a LOT of work.  Plus, I've still been going to my real job everyday.  Tonight, we went to the gym for awhile just because we knew they had power.  It was nice to be able to blow dry my hair after my shower.  The roads are pretty clear, so we found a restaurant that was open and then killed some time in Wal-mart.  As we were driving up the hill to our house, we saw a glimmer of hope that our lights were back on.  When we turned in the driveway and saw that our Christmas tree was lit, we literally screamed with delight.  Thank you, sweet Lord (and also Entergy!) 

Fischer Family Christmas

Another great Fischer Family Christmas

We missed seeing the Johnsons but were so glad that the Stacy family made it home.  Hoping for AJ and Izzy to see their first snow ever!!!

The 10 year old boys

Mikayla and McKenna

AJ and Ash

Izzy!

Kayak for the kids and another GREAT scavenger hunt for the grown-ups!  Thanks again, Mom and Dad!

Merry Christmas from the Adams Family

Santa Nate

Ashley and her daddy

Santa left footprints leading the kids upstairs to see where "he" had installed their new TV.

December? Trying to Remember!

Sorry for the blog drought, but December has been a whirlwind around here!  I will summarize our month in a top ten list and a few photos of our activities that did not make the blog:

(10) Ashley had cheerleading camp the last week of November and performed on December 1 at the UALR halftime show.

(9) Nathan started his 5th (can that be right?!?) basketball season at Immanuel.

(8) I have been working like a dog!! If you haven't seen or heard from me much this month, this is why!

(7) Birthday parties

(6) Christmas parties

(5) Christmas shopping

(4) Visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  He even asked me what I wanted for Christmas.

(3) After a big storm blew through last Wednesday night and Thursday morning, we spent 3 days without electricity.  An electrical pole was blown down as well as several trees on our line.

(2) We enjoyed a great Christmas morning at home and then with my family.  (Pics to follow.)  We had to postpone our Christmas with Jeff's family because...

(1) We are home waiting for the Blizzard of 2012.  Actually, we just have a "Winter Storm Warning" here in Pulaski county, but other areas of the state are actually under a "Blizzard Warning".  We shall see...

On the 12th Day of Snitch-mas...

Our elf, Snitch, came back on December 1st!  He's not much of a troublemaker like some other elves that I've heard about, but he does like to hide in funny places and leave little notes on occasion.  Here's a look at his first 12 days back on the job.  So far, the kids liked finding him hanging from the rear view mirror the best.

Girl Cousins

The Johnsons stayed with us for a couple of days before they headed to OK and then back to PA.  Ash and Lily had lots of fun!  They helped me make homemade biscuits Saturday morning.  They were good helpers, but Lily said, "My mom usually buys them at the store so you don't have to do all this." ;o)  

Bedtime Story

Polka Dot Manicures

Thanksgiving Tablecloth

As I’ve often mentioned, our family celebrates Thanksgiving on Wednesday night – Thanksgiving Eve – and has a long-standing tradition of writing what we are thankful for on a tablecloth.  (We’ve actually outgrown the first tablecloth and have added a second one!) I decided to take some pictures of the tablecloths this year.  The comments, ranging from sentimental to silly, are nice reminders of all the family and friends that have graced our home over the years.    

 

Fischer Family 2012

Another Thanksgiving, another family photo shoot.  Last December, Mom and Dad bought some additional acres adjacent to their property.  Dad wanted to take last year’s family picture out there, but the weather didn’t cooperate.  The weather was perfect this Thanksgiving, so we gathered our party of 17 near what has been dubbed “The Secret Place” for a few pics.

I tried to get individual pictures of each of the kids, but neither Brandon’s nor Lily’s turned out very well. Brandon’s was blurry, and Lily was being…well, Lily. Seven out of 9 is not so bad. Maybe next time!

 



Leaf fight with Papa






Jeremiah - just turned 10

 





Isabella - just turned 3






Mikayla - almost 9

 


Micah - just turned 8

 


Nathan - just turned 10

 

  




AJ - four and a half

 

Ashley - six and a half