Just look at these babes

While in Austin, we had the pleasure of visiting some old friends who have a new baby.

Pierce and Latham will surely be fast friends.

I have lots of pictures to post from the last week -- we have had lots of visitors. Check back later....

Snowed In - STILL

This is day 4 of the great snow in. Atlanta has literally been all but closed since Monday. What to do, what to do?

The girls are still digging in - although Vaughan did ask about school yesterday. When I informed her that school was once again closed - she declared "but I love school." Um - so do I - especially when you are actually at school!

Sledding was more like ice gliding today so we had to be creative to come up with new snow activities. We painted the snow and then spray painted the snow and then spray painted each other and then Mommy took away the spray bottles with food coloring saturated water.

We ate raw cookie dough and then decided to bake a few cookies too.

Cabin fever set in around 4 yesterday. I felt like I had been couped up in the house. So, we all bundled up (Latham included) and went for a walk around the neighborhood. Apparently I should have brought my ice skates.

In between these activities - I worked. My parents scooped Danielle up for me (they have 4 wheel drive). Danielle lives on a hill and apparently things were a bit dicey.

Danielle will not be making it today (we miss you Danielle!) The hill to her place is a bit precarious.

And so here we sit, day 4. Those of you up north - please send me some more ideas. I have a feeling we will need them today!

Snowed In

We are snowed it! YIPPEE! YAHOO! HOORAY!

Did you flush ice cubes down the toilet? Because we did and the girls are convinced that this subtle act is indeed what brought the snow.

For the last few days, the meteorologists on tv have been warning (with smiles on their faces) of the possibility of snow. But, you know, here in Atlanta sometimes all of the hype leads to a lot of nothing.

Last night, I looked out the window at 8 and there was no snow. I looked again at 9 and we had about 4 inches. We spent the day sledding, running, playing, warming up by the fire, sledding, running, playing, warming up by the fire. Add in a little hot chocolate and then repeat, repeat, repeat. I LOVED every second of it.

Isn't it amazing how a little snow brings about a quiet? When Alan and I lived in NYC we always knew when it had snowed because instead of being awakened by the sound of cars and the beep, beeping of trucks backing up....we were awakened by SILENCE.

Today, I noticed two things. There was definitely a sense of quiet and peace that permeated the neighborhood. I suppose the lack of cars driving, the lack of lawns being mowed, leaves being blown - it makes a different. I also noticed everyone was outside. On any other day when the high is 31, there are no more than 2-3 walkers I would see. Today, the street was packed with people. Walking their dogs, walking around, sledding, playing and SNOWBOARDING.

Check out the video above. Our neighbor was actually snowboarding down our street!

Let it S N O W!!!

Fredonia, TX

A few days after Christmas, we packed up, boarded up and headed to the ranch. I know that it is probably not everyone's cup of tea....I mean, flying to Texas and then driving for two hours to land in the middle of nowhere. Someone recently asked me what we do there -- and the answer sort of stumped me. I me, basically we do NOTHING. And yet, each day is so full of fun and exploring and unplugging and unwinding. I always leave recharged.

When we arrived we were greeted by 2 sets of aunts and uncles and 8 children. The girls were giddy...literally giddy with excitement.

And then it seems like we barely saw them. They were either off swinging from a tree, jumping on the trampoline, hanging out in their Hideout (a treehouse) or playing dolls with their cousins.

Everyday, Vaughan would ask me if we were leaving. She was always relieved when I said not yet. We did manage to venture into Castell and Mason (into town) one day. The girls were frantic that we were heading home and happy when they learned that we weren't.

At night we would cook up big family meals (thanks to my sister in law) and then play games, make smores and hang out. There was some yatzee and some scattergories. I will not mention any winners...sometimes certain winners like to gloat. Like a lot.

Sorry for those of you who are not down with hunting or the photo taking and display of hunted animals. But, I needed to include this because this really was the cherry on top.

My mom really wanted to hunt a wild boar. The wild pigs are not generally sought after but they are quite destructive to the ranch. They tear up the land - and we need to the land for the cattle to graze.

After two outings in the dear blind....we came up empty handed. In fact, we didn't see more than a cow. Finally on New Year's Eve, Alan and Gagi went out for one last try. Gagi had never even shot a gun until the day before. But lo and behold -- she got a 9 point buck. Bill, the caretaker, thinks it was the biggest one shot this season. Ha! From a rookie! From a woman! Woot woot!

We ended 2010 hanging out with our family. It was a drastically different New Year's Eve from the ones we spent in Vienna. But it was just as special and meaningful. And it couldn't have been more perfect.

The End

The end of 2010.

Before I can really start off 2011 right, I need to wrap up 2010. I need to post about Christmas and our trip to the Ranch in Texas and the fun and fellowship we had with friends and cousins.

So the McKnights made a big showing at this years' Christmas pageant. This is how it went down:

• Vaughan McKnight - Angel (but doesn't she look mischievous?)
• Ellery McKnight - The Christmas Star (she took her role so seriously she wouldn't even make eye contact with me.
• Latham McKnight - Baby Jesus (what do you mean baby Jesus didn't wear pink Uggs?)

The girls were so so so very excited to take part in the Christmas pageant. They worked hard to learn their parts and they eagerly donned their costumes. It was sweet.

And then it was Christmas. This day that we had waited for....this day that we had counted down in anticipation of. And it WAS WHITE! OK - so from these pics, I know it doesn't seem like it was all that white. But this is Atlanta and we'll take what we get.

It was an amazing Christmas -not because of gifts we received but because of the time we had to spend together.

After opening presents

we headed over to Gagi and PopPop's for Christmas dinner.

There was some pre dinner sledding

and a post sledding movie.