Your typical storm picture...

We're still in the middle of our "bizzard" (not supposed to end till 10ish tonight) but holding out just fine. In fact, I've broken in to the iced coffee I made in anticipation of losing power and being without caffeine, so I'd say we're committed to it just being some snow fall and not the "historic catastrophe" our beloved weatherpeople keep insisting it is.I have lived through blizzards, people, and this was not one. But anyway, it's nice to have some white on the ground, nice to get the free exercise of shoveling (even nicer that our neighbors do the really heavy drifts with their snowblowers!), and lovely that Steve gets a day off (who as an adult gets paid snow days?! He has a peachy job!).
The kids went out earlier but with the wind I made them go back inside after 5 minutes. No frostbite for them! I'm such a mean mom. Not that Hudson minded, the boy continues to really hate the snow. Normally he can't wait to be outside, but if you ask him in the winter he says "uh uh!" and backs away fast, lol. Henri is negotiating for a return outside after nap time. That'll be wind dependent I guess.
And here is our storm picture. Proof of why it's always so cold in our house, the insulation could clearly use some work:

The paci wars

He's only allowed his paci in bed and in the car (his speech is getting delayed, no progress in the last month, it's time to start being a lot more intentional about getting him up to speed!) but he doesn't fall in with the plan. So he's found a medicine dropper, disassembled it, and is very happy with his paci substitute. Stinker.

A real snow!

Hudson remains unimpressed by the walking-in-snow experience.

Hudson helps himself

He's very enthusiastic about "helping" me to bake. Mostly because of reasons like this:

Smattering of the new year

The kids and I took advantage of having a second car in the house and went to VT for a week to be with Aunt Anna before she went back to school. She's now happy to be headed back to peace and quiet ;) Then home for one last day with David before he headed back to school today. We are feeling a bit abandoned. OK, a lot. So pretty much normal goings on, compounded by the need to stay inside because of the cold. A few phone pictures of the past week:

Mr. No-nap has joined preschool hour with Henri and I. Clearly he's torn up about it

The letter of the week was "D" for desert, and here they were making playdough cacti (the spikes were spaghetti)

LOVE this shirt. Making (and eating) "locust" (sunbutter and honey playdough)

First sanctioned finger painting

He continues to love this nightlight from Ikea we've had since Hen was born. 

We're going to muss our dance parties with David!!!

Subway stop on our way to VT. Scariest driving I've done in a long time. Stopped counting accidents after #10 

Nikki, here's the hat rack. (There is a mountain climber up near the top haha)

Basically impossible to see here, but there's a gorgeous fox next to the middle fir tree. He was out a ton, catching some moles, bouncing around. And sooooo pretty!

I was pretty proud of these. Steve's the master pancake maker, but when he wasn't around I made some stellar breakfasts

It was cold, but it was gorgeous

Hudson likes to read to himself. But only if the book is upside down.

Selfies! The kids are enjoying my phone's camera

I just purged Hen's closet. She had tons of adorable stuff, but as she'll only wear stuff like this, it was pointless to keep it. The good news is, both kids clothes fits into one tiny closet now!

Wedding!!!!

Meghan got married today!!!! Very hard to believe one of the "little kids" as we called anyone younger than my brother is of that age, but there you have it. She was a gorgeous bride and from what I could tell in the audience the wedding went without a hitch. It was simple, and lovely, and fun. The weather cooperated in that the snow didn't start for anyone until they were pretty close to home, and the kids cooperated by taking a nap in the car. Henri enjoyed the ceremony considerably, but I think that was because Aunt Anna sat with us and let her play with her watch. Indeed, right before the wedding Hen told me, with a grumpy face, that she was "scared" (she still has trouble putting the right word to the emotion). I asked her why, and she said "because today isn't all about me!". Oooooh boy. We'd done a lot of talking beforehand about how it's Meg's special day, and also that Papa would be busy and not able to be with her constantly, and she handled not being queen bee pretty well. Hudson was awful, but there was a staircase in the back of the church that led to a balcony, so Steve let him roam and that kept him entertained (Steve too, haha). We took pictures in the church afterward and her photographer seemed really on top of his game (ie got everyone to line up and shut up fast) and then we headed to the reception. It was decorated with pine boughs and candles, and in the entry we were greeted with a favors table loaded down with pickles that Nate and Meghan had made for everyone; yum!

Lunch was a buffet of lasagna, salad and rolls. Overplanning food is clearly a Thompson trait. I had 10 (ten!) extra cakes left over from my wedding, and I have no idea how many lasagnas Meg had at the end of hers. Nate's mom made 100 pounds alone. I brought 2, and I know a few others brought some. What I'm saying is, I'm not eating for another month. I sampled a few different ones and they were all delicious. One of Meg's bridesmaids made her wedding cakes and I ended up with a "sampler plate" since there was no way I could make a decision; gingerbread with lemon curd, chai tea cake with cinnamon frosting, and a flourless chocolate cake with a cream cheese frosting. Can you say sugar bliss???? 

On penalty of death and disowning there was nothing done to the car, so the farewell was a bit subdued. I think the happy couple is planning to lie low for the next week, then take a proper honeymoon come the summer. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Brunk! And thanks for having us, it was wonderful. 

And now for the photos (I know that's all you care about, bet you skipped the whole top part. I would have, too!). A bit mixed up but I'm sure you can imagine the sequence:

She's still sulking a bit

He's got a hilarious "cheese" face he unleashes whenever he sees a camera

Papa is very funny

Just married

Advantage to a Christmas-time wedding, all the decor is taken care of!

Enjoying the festivities

I'm sure the professional got all of us in, Papa got cut out here....

I have another brother. Wow.

2 families united

Bridal party

Annie! Gorgeous as always

Cake cutting

She said she was hot in her dress, but it was about -79 today

Loved this of Mom and Meg

Anna making off with the pickles

She was finally getting chilled

Per the bride's request I made a few pans of the addicting apple bars for Nate. I had to make sure they were wedding-worthy before I brought them, though ;)

And here we are on the way. Totally random order to these, sorry

She looked gorgeous in her dress. And the veil just made it perfect (a gift from her MOH)

Waiting downstairs there was this great bug and sand table

Bridal party gifts; the pinecone earrings from Danforth Pewter. Love!

Meg and her MOH, "Aunt" Chelsea

Payte cut her hair and does she not suddenly look like my mom?!?!?? Crazy

The star of the show and the wanna-be

Hudson making another conquest of the older ladies. Note the child to the right; she and Hudson were making out under the table during the reception. My son likes 'em a bit more mature ;)

We sat in the back, so ceremony photos are a bit blurry. It was a lovely little chapel. 

The "peace dove". Guess it got put there a few years ago and it's stayed.

*Smooooch*

Papa and Aunt Sharon. 

Yes, there's a story behind this. But in the hearing of it I realized it's more of a "you had to be there" type of a thing.

The bridesmaids bouquets. 

Reception site

Christmas pickles. Can't wait to eat them.

Table decor

Cake. Or I should say "cakes" for of course there are three ;)

Soooo tasty. And who would have thought to combine gingerbread and lemon? It was my favorite.

I was happily clicking away when I realized the pastor was praying. Oops. But a good view of the room!

The only picture I got of Gram and it's blurry. But you can see the pretty bridesmaids dresses.

The amazing Anna

......and Allie. aaaaannnnd Siena. 

Selfies with the disco ball :D

He got in some snuggles with Gram. Then tried to rip out her earrings. Poor guy's been sick for the past week, I see an MD visit come Monday if he doesn't shape up fast. 

Making her getaway

No one's messing with this couple

Congratulations again Meghan and Nate!