Here's to a fresh start!

I'm sure you will be glad to see that I have FINALLY gotten around to updating the blog. New template and new updates. You'll be happy to know that we are all happy and healthy and looking forward to a New Year. If you want to take some time to catch up on what the Rolland family has been up to these last few months, be sure to scroll down and enjoy the following posts...

Winter Wallop #2
Sledding
Tractor Time
Emma's 1st Birthday
Christmas
Family Portraits
Turkey Day

Enjoy!

Winter Wallop #2

This is the second winter storm that we've had this season and according to the Farmer's Almanac, we're do for a few more before the winter is over. The snow started Friday afternoon around 4pm and it came down fast and hard. Again, in my line of work with the Red Cross we were totally prepared to set up shelters throughout the county. I was fortunate to come home and be here with Allen and Emma, but was pretty much working through the night on the phone and computer. The snow stayed pretty steady throughout the night and then on Saturday we saw a significant amount of sleet, rain and ice in addition to a few snow showers as it tapered off into the afternoon hours. I think in total we got between 8-10 inches this go around - there was a lot of snow! We literally just got to a point about 2 weeks ago where the snow finally melted from the storm we had in December.

Allen's mom was kind enough to make the long trip down here on Thursday to deliver the snow blower attachment that goes to our tractor, which came in handy yesterday - Allen was outside for 5+ hours clearing our driveway, parts of the road and our neighbor's driveways. Also, below there is a video clip that Allen took while he was out on the tractor. Enjoy!

Sledding and fun in the snow...

This is Day 2 of the winter weather we got this weekend - we finally ventured out in the snow today wondering how bad the roads were; they were actually pretty good for the most part, we were able to get around without too many problems. The school system is closed tomorrow because a lot of the back roads are still very icy and have not been plowed. We ran a few errands in town this morning and then when we got back home we got Emma in her winter gear and took her sledding in the back yard - we have a decent slope behind the house, which made for good sledding today. I also included some pictures of the property.

Tractor Time!

When we were home for Emma's birthday, Grandpa took Emma out on the Kubota Tractor for the first time. She loved it! I think she was so mesmerized by the color and size of it - we were able to capture some sweet moments with both her and Grandpa that day!

Emma's 1st Birthday - Round I

We can't believe that Emma is a year old! It went by fast, but at the same time I think we both look back and are amazed that we made it through the first year...I have to admit it was tough, but also amazing at the same time!

We went home to see both families for her birthday - we figured it was the easiest thing to do and we wanted to all be together for the occasion. We stayed with my parents over the weekend, but Sherry was gracious enough to host the party at her house. I wanted it to just be family so it was both sets of grandparents and then Dan, Kim, Ethan and Cady came over to celebrate with us. I think Emma had a great time - you could almost tell that she knew she was the center of attention that day. She did well eating her first piece of birthday cake, chocolate of course! She also received some nice gifts. She has changed so much in the last year - she's in 12-18 month clothes, in a forward-facing car seat, walking, babbling and talking more and more and developing such a great personality. We are so blessed and we can't wait to see what this year holds for our family of three!