Fun in the snow

This has been the second snowiest December on record here in Kansas. We have had quite a few snow storms and a couple of ice storms this month. Anyone watching the news has seen how hard the midwest has been hit. We were lucky enough to keep our power and heat during the storms, but we did have some friends who lost power for several days. Some lost power for a couple of of weeks. Anyways, this gave us an excuse to get out and play in the snow. We have played in the snow quite a bit so far. We play until we can't feel our toes and then we go in for some hot chocolate. Here are some pics of our ivory adventures.

We are Thankful...

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! We continued our Kansas tradition of going over to the Hoyos home for the big meal. The food was delicious, and the company was perfect. We are so grateful for family away from family. The Rhodes fam started another tradition this year. I heard of the idea of a "grateful turkey". Every night around the dinner table we shared one thing that we were grateful for, wrote it on a feather, and then placed in on our big turkey. It was fun to share our ideas. Some blessings included...Batman, Spiderman shirt, Papa's corvettes, Babies in Arizona, Paper completion, Family, Friends, etc. It will be fun to see how the list changes every year :). We really have been blessed tremendously. Thank you !!!!!

Family Pics

My sweet friend Devri volunteered to take some family pictures for us. She recently completed a photography class and wants to build up her portfolio. We think she did a great job!!! Thanks Dev! I do have to admit...we have the stinkin cutest kiddos!!

Visitors in Kansas!!

We have been so lucky this month to have had visitors! Not one, not two, but three!!! My sweet Mom surprised us a few weeks ago. She showed up at our doorstep. It literally knocked me off of my feet! Thank you Mom and Dad!!! Last week our friend Aaron Lewis came into town for business. It was so great to see and visit with him. We especially enjoyed dining out at a local bbque joint (which is rare as students :))...thank you Aaron!! After Aaron left, Amy Smith (my friend since the beginning :)) came to visit. Oh my goodness, it was so great to chat and chat and chat some more. There is nothing in this world like being with someone who knows you better than you know yourself. We enjoyed the beautiful leaves and visiting some hot spots in Kansas City. Thank you Ames!!!!!

7 "Interesting" things about Sal...

I was "tagged" to tell the world seven interesting things about myself. Depending upon what you think is interesting, this may or may not be.

1. I am a snuggler. I LOVE to cuddle, curl up with, hug, squeeze, etc. loved ones.
2. I am a scaredy cat. I get freakishly nervous when John is not around at night. Which since law school began is more often than not. I hate my scary midwestern basement...I think someone lives down there. I don't go down to change my laundry at night unless I am talking to someone on the phone, or I wait until morning. Pathetic, I know, but true.
3. I LOVE to sing loud in the car, and in my living room. One of my favorite things to do is sing in the car with good friends, or my sweet Madelyn. She loves it loud too :) Who knew you could jam so hard at the age of 30 in a minivan :)
4. I LOVE the ocean. I love the smell, the sound, the sight, etc. Ohhhhh, I just miss it so badly. The feel of the sun on my face, a warm breeze, and my toes in the sand, dang it doesn't get better than that!
5. This may sound completely and utterly disgusting, but I love to pick blackheads and juicy zits. Something about it popping out is just awesome. Please don't think less of me.
6. I love peanut butter and jelly. Just like the song says, "Peanut butter and jelly, tastes so good in my belly". I could eat it every day.
7. I love driving fast. Well in reality, I just take off from the line fast, and then lay off the gas when I hit the speed limit. I would love to floor it all of the time, but my conscience gets the best of me. I've never had a speeding ticket surprisingly enough.

Halloween Halloween!

Halloween Halloween Trick or Treat...give me some candy, or smell my feet! Oh my goodness! We had such a fun halloween. The day started with a parade at Madelyn's school, followed by a party in her classroom. Later in the day her class had a field trip to Lambert's pumpkin patch, which Stockton and I helped chaperone :). That evening friends joined us as we hit the pavement for some major candy. Madelyn said "it was the best day ever!", and Stockton has dressed up the last couple of days (following the big day), wanting to trick or treat again...and again.

Boys Night

This is another picture from our boys night. Most likely celebrating another University of Utah touchdown. Before you go calling CPS on me, it is just root beer and creme soda.

Boys Night

Stockton and I invited our friend Regan over to watch the Utah/Louisville football game. Since Stockton hangs out so much with girls all day, we had to indoctrinate him in the joys of college football.

Stockton's Muscles

No Rhodes blog would be complete without someone trying to show off his muscles. Stockton is well-trained to spontaneously flex the biceps for the crowd. The other day he asked John if he had rocks in his arms.

Huff and Puff

Sal and the kids had a lot of fun at the balloon festival. Stockton got a little nervous of the flames that night. Who knew fire could be frightening to some little children :)

Huff and Puff

Here is Maddy at the Huff and Puff Festival. It is a big festival where they let off a bunch of hot air balloons. Sally took the kids with some friends.

Stockton and Maya

Here is Stockton and Maya sharing a popsicle in our backyard. They are good buddies! The two of them are funny to listen to :)

Fall Festival

Here is Stockton and Maddy at her school's fall festival. I'm not sure what Stockton is doing there. The little boy on the left is their friend Spencer and the girl on the right is their friend Maya.

Maddy's first day of school

Here is my baby girl with her big giant smile for her first day of kindergarten. She is so cute. Madelyn loves school. She's made some nice new friends and thinks her teacher, Mrs. Burghart, is the greatest.

Ottawa

This is where my dad worked through college. It is still owned and operated by his former boss's grandson.

Ottawa

This is the First Baptist Church in Ottawa. My parents were married here in 1954. Also, my great grandfather was a minister here while he taught religion at Ottawa University.

Ottawa

Here is my dad's year...

Ottawa

We took a trip to Ottawa, KS before school started. This is where my mom and dad went to school, met, and got married a long long long time ago. My mom graduated in 1954 and my dad in 1955. They had all the flags out that day, so we searched out their years.

First post!

Hey everyone,

Sally and I finally gave into peer pressure and decided to create one of these blogs. It seems like everyone has one of these to keep in touch with friends and family across the country. Anyways, we will post pics from time to time to show everyone what we have been up to. Madelyn will be 6 years old next month (I can hardly believe it). She is enjoying all-day kindergarten and seems to be learning a lot. She has really gravitated toward math and enjoys doing math problems every day. Stockton is 3 years old and is enjoying preschool. He is in tee ball, but frankly I think he is more into superheroes right now. Sally is doing well. She is keeping busy with Maddy's school, Stockton's school, playgroups, work, and everything else. She always has something going on. I am keeping busy with school and everything that goes along with it. As soon as I figure out how to upload pictures to this thing, I'll start doing it.

jr