NEW CAR

Today we got a new car from a wonderful salesman named Jerry at Boardman VW.

Say goodbye to Big Red, who faithfully served us since 2006, after she had already served Tom and Barb for 5 years! I am now a minivan Mom (even though I didn't want to be!). We are the owners of a brand new 2010 VW Routan (silver). We got a great deal, and it came fully loaded with options we hadn't even considered. It has even has Auto Start!!
There is an umbrella holder on the floor of the driver's side door!
It has a sunroof, flip down mirror to view the kids, Navigation system and Sirius radio. Oh, and heated seats for both the driver, passenger and the 2 captain's seats the girls are using now.
It has two TV screens that can be watching movies or playing games (you don't have to do the same on both). It came with two goofy looking headphones and a remote.
The back windows in both the second and third row have built in retractable sunshades.
The third row also flips around for tailgating/drivel-ins or sporting events! It has a TON of storage too. There are even two bins under the girls feet for me to store our emergency blankets/pillows and extra diaper bag/change of clothes for the girls.
The sliding doors on both sides and rear gate are all push button power operated.

I am SOOO excited (and so is Kaelin - she keeps saying we can get our friends to ride with us now). I have never had a NEW car before and this one has all the bells and whistles! It also comes with a 3 year maintenance plan where they take care of things like rotating tires and oil changes!

Anyhow - I just wanted to show off my new toy :).

Blog Dump

Sorry for the blog dump - but here is what is happening in our house:

Hailey turned 18months on January 30th. She is trying to say all kinds of words! 'Please' is one of her favorites! She also likes to try to go on the 'big potty' before her bath. She has successfully gone at least 5 times now! She tries to climb into her own high chair - SCARY, and is showing a bit of a stubborn side beneath her angelic front :). She is already in size 6 shoes, and is beginning to slowly grow out of 18 month clothes already!

Here are some pictures of her - one is with Grandma Cindy.

This picture of Kaelin and Daddy was also taken January 30th at Grandma Cindy's house. Her house is great for nap time!

As most of you know we have gotten a TON of snow. Every time it seems to stop for a day, we have a new storm or at least flurries. I think we are all over the snow! Here are two pictures of our back porch - one is of our picnic table and grill and the other is of Justin getting ready to dig a path for Bandit. Justin is very lucky that our next door neighbors have a snow blower! He and John have been taking turns clearing the driveways!

That is it for pictures.

Justin started his new job on February 1st and is very happy with his decision. He is getting an opportunity to go to Germany in June! (I am jealous.)

On Monday, February 8th, Kaelin and I were in an accident on my way to the dr. for a sinus infection. (Hailey was at Aunt Amy's). I slid on a patch of ice into her car waiting to turn out of a parking lot. We will have to replace her bumper. Unfortunately the accident bent my steering column or something, it was almost impossible to drive my car. I also hit my knee on the steering wheel.

In two days my knee ended up swelling to twice the size it should be and was very painful. Wednesday I had xrays, and Friday an MRI. I was in a brace and on crutches, not allowed to put any weight on it. I was also not allowed to work at the florist shop Valentine's weekend(busiest of the year!!)

Yesterday I had to go see a surgeon. Apparently I have a baker's cyst (this has been bothering me for more than a year) as well as a sprain on the outside of my knee cap. The dr. also thinks the MRI is missing a tear internally. He wants me to do some exercises and continue to wear my brace to get some fluid down. I check back in with him in four weeks and at that time we most likely schedule a scope surgery to find/fix whatever damage their is. Unfortunately there is at least 4 weeks of recovery after that! (Thanks again Jecca for going with me and wrangling the kids!)

Good news is Kaelin is FINE - she told everyone we bumped another car. I started to put weight on my knee Sunday and am able to get around and I will will be going back to work this Saturday.

Other news - we are going Friday to check out a preschool for Kaelin! YIKES! It is a Christian school and she would attend three days a week from 9-12. It comes highly recommended from friends and neighbors and is also surprisingly affordable. I can't believe she will be 4 this August and then next year (August 2011) 5 and attending Kindergarten!

Hope all is well with you - our family and friends, and that everyone had an enjoyable Valentine's Day!