A new name for mom

I don't know if any of you have experienced Mom's expertise in weather, but I've found that she is consistently more knowledgeable about my 7-day forecast than I am...and we don't even live in the same state! I used to have this little thing called weatherbug on my computer, which is basically a customizable program that pops up with your updated weather information whenever you want. I thought it was great, but Andy claimed that it bogged down the computer and brought lots of unwanted pop ups with it, so we got rid of it. I missed it for a couple days, but soon after I realized I no longer need weatherbug.

I have Mombug! I don't even need to go to my computer for weather updates - they come to me! If a storm is coming, a cold front moving in, unusually strong winds expected, or possible hazardous driving conditions called for, you can expect a friendly and knowledgeable update from Mombug. Better yet, the service is completely free!

Interested in subscribing? No need! If you read this blog, chances are you are already a lifetime member of the Mombug club. Send her a token of your appreciation today.



P.S. I know a more literal and apt name would have been "weathermom", but it didn't have the same ring to it.

Familiar?

A Barnhart Christmas

Top Ten Barnhart Christmas Traditions:

10. Saying "Do you wanna do chores....eat breakfast....or open presents? PRESENTS!!!!!" (this actually starts about 1 week prior to Christmas, and all accompanying faces must be made)
9. Develop and hone our vulture-like eating habits
8. Lots of computers (and by lots I mean more computers than people)
7. Everyone making complete fools of themselves for the two smallest members of the family
6. Taking pictures...of people taking pictures...of other people taking pictures
5. Sneaking your Christmas presents under the tree as if they weren't wrapped hastily only seconds ago in the other room.
4. Opening gifts about 4 hours after scheduled to begin (because we just finished wrapping them)
3. 14 trips to Meijer
2. Ben's world-renowned pineapple upside-down cake
1. The 7 hour gift-opening marathon, including commentary and frequent, unexplained breaks

If these are the things that have made up your Christmas day, you may as well admit that you are most definitely a Barnhart. Don't try to fight it; its much easier if you just give in.

Merry Christmas!

And because this is what we all get excited about, here are a few pictures of the two sweetest girls around.

Guys Rule!

Couldn't manage to get this one on with the others, but too cute to leave out, altogether. What macho guys!

R.P. Christmas Dance

Thought the rest of the family might appreciate seeing their little brother all dressed up and stepping out! He escorted Emily Andrews, to the dance, and reportedly had a good time. Uncanny, how much the young lady on the left resembles Rachel Holtzhouse (in my opinion.) Your little brother is growing up!

Dad's Puppies Get Lonely For Him

When I came home from work yesterday, I found that Nicky and Twila had dragged Dad's boot over to their nest and was apparently easing their loneliness for him via the comforting aroma.





Nicky needed a bit stronger dosage.

Wintery Wonderland

I know that you all have anxiously been awaiting our snow pictures. Well, we've finally managed to shovel ourselves out after a week of winter storm advisories, so that we could actually take the photos. Just to keep this all in context - we had NO snow last Sunday. And we weren't sure we'd even have church services this morning because of predicted snowfall (we did, by the way, have services - we didn't get as much as they were predicting).


The top photo shows what it looked like out our entry way door (pretty much) last Sunday - just a little less green with siding on the garage. The bottom photo is what it looked like out the same door this morning, before Steve shoveled us out.












This is a photo out of our garage before Steve cleared snow this morning. Both the car and the truck were cleared off Saturday evening before we went to bed - and here they are, only hours later, very snow covered! Notice the snow piled up where it was next to the closed garage door - Steve said it was easily a foot deep there.


Here's the path from our house down to the garage and driveway. It was a bit challenging to get Ella NOT to play in the snow on our way to the car this morning. But she did manage to do so.
Since it's been so snowy here, we've been staying inside doing "fun" inside stuff - recovering from colds, mostly. But Ella has also learned a new game. Here she is in her very first (and exciting) round of UNO. She's pretty good at matching the colors. We're still working on the numbers.

Ella and Elisabeth got to wear their "wintery" dresses to church this morning, in honor of our snow. They are our "little snow princesses" - and we thought you'd enjoy a chance to see them in their winter finery.


Ella also got to try her first meringue this evening, as Steve had some egg whites left over from making a pound cake (see photo) and decided to make meringues.

It was a new experience for all of us, as we'd never made them before (though Steve and I had both eaten them before, and I hadn't been a huge fan). However, these were extremely tasty - and I decided that he could definitely make them again! Now, just to make some more pound cakes so we have extra egg whites that need to be used...

Christmas Time is here again....

Hello Barnharts. I'm sure you're all anxiously awaiting this year's installment of Andy's gift list. So, here it is.

All Weather Floor Mats for my Jeep (preferable tan) They need to be specially made for Cherokees, because they have a goofy shape.

Pioneer(or other good brand) 1.5 Din Car Stereo - These are a little tough to find, but eBay usually has some good deals. I don't mind a used one either (as long as it doesn't look cruddy). A detachable faceplate is a must though (as to deter thieves).

Seinfeld Seasons 8 and/or 9

Case and chargers for my Vision:M - The black one

I'll add one more option here.

A subwoofer for my home theater.

Merry Christmas