Emergency Preparedness

This week, Josh and I both felt strongly that we should start preparations in case of an emergency. I'm not sure if these feelings were influenced by the recent weather, the outcome of the elections, having a new baby, or just something we have been procrastinating for a while now. Anyway, we packed our 72 hour kits with all sorts of goodies (thanks Cabelas!) and supplies. I ran a search online for a list of items to pack and the very first result was lds.org! Interesting. Then we beefed up our food storage (thanks Sam's Club!) so we have enough to last us for a while. It really is a good feeling to know that we could survive independent of others for at least a month or two.
Here are some of my favorite things:
MRE's (these have really improved since I remember eating them years ago)
water filtration bottles (it's a water bottle with a filter built in)
extra tiny blankets
foldable tools
Technology has really come up with some nice things. We are now debating buying an emergency generator. A family in our ward was without heat during this last storm which would be horrible. Also we have a large freezer full of food that would be wasted without power to keep it cold.

As always, I need to share a picture of my little girl.

Kudos to Josh for receiving his CCAF degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology. Ironically enough, his graduation ceremony coincided with his last day (ever) working on the aircraft. Starting M0nday, he is officially an Agent in Training for OSI. For those of you who don't know what OSI is, watch NCIS which is basically what he will be doing, but for the Air Force. He is excited to:

1. Not wear a uniform

2. carry a gun

3. do something "worthwhile" for the Air Force

I can understand his frustration as I have been here with him during his 6 excruciating years as an aircraft maintainer. He has worked long hours, been called in on so many weekends I can't even remember, and deployed yearly, not counting his numerous TDY's. Just last night he was called 3 times between midnight and 2 AM by someone out on the flight line who needed help to do their job. I'm sure he will come home tonight and breathe a sigh of relief that it is over.

I finally made it out of my house this morning t find a huge snowdrift across my entire road, with this Yukon inside of it. My dog was nice enough to pose for the picture (he loves the snow).

this is the view out my back door. Unfortunately that is the only access to my back yard (also full of snow).

This is my neighbor's house. Behind that large drift is their front door.

It has been almost exactly 6 months since our last snow day, in May. I have to say that snow days are not quite as exciting since I don't go to work or school any more. I don't think we even got that much snow but the strong winds just piled it up together. Gotta love that SD weather!

Allison, 4 weeks old!

My little pumpkin

lounging after a bath

This blog is rapidly becoming a page about Allison. I hope that those of you who read my blog will recognize me as a new mom and cut me some slack. I used to have so many things going on all the time, and now I have one main focus, which takes up most of my time.

I am recovering from the weekend, during which I had 18 family members visiting for Allison's blessing. My tiny little house could not hold them all! Thank goodness not everyone arrived simultaneously. I think they took pity on us and visited in shifts. It was nice to have so many of Allison's grandparents, aunts and uncles willing to hold (and change) her. I was very touched to have all those people here who love us and our daughter.