winter weather

In Pennsylvania...

it is cold, bitter cold. The high was 10*. The windchill was below zero. We couldn't go out. And there was no snow. We were greeted with this today, our last morning at the farm. It was perfect for sledding, but is now gone. (Jess said he had to give them a starting push, then race down to get the picture. What a hubby to capture it for me.)

In Michigan...

everything was a sheet of ice when we arrived. A warm wind blew in on our first day, so the kids could play. They made their snowman "of the year" in the small courtyard at the convent. After visiting with Sr. Theresa Paul, they played some more. The next day it was cold again, with no more snow.

In Virginia...
everything was bright and sunny and warm. At least it was a few days before we left. We spent the entire day outside without coats or shoes. I miss these "gem" days and cannot wait to get back.

Merry Christmas!

First we go to Jen's great Christmas Eve party. We see old friends, eat delicious, allergy friendly food and the kids play. Next we are off to my family's and Christmas Eve Mass. We usually do Midnight Mass, but I have trouble after 11pm these days.

Christmas morning we are up dumping full stockings and making pancakes. This is one tradition I missed this year. I forgot to bring my GF, DF, EF pancake recipe and my gingerbread person mold. So, no people shaped pancakes. We did share a beautiful morning Mass with my family.

the girls

the boys

(David would not come sit or stand with the family again.)

Then we are back to a flurry of gifts, mounds of food, relaxation and packing presents for the trip home, leaving some out to entertain us for the remainder of our visits.

We haven't had Christmas in our home for three years. The kids are starting to ask for one. With four young ones to transport next year, we may just give it a try.

Winter Wonderland

Yesterday was full, to the max. I got everything done, except dinner. I packed up a dinner for Dawn, made snack for the LLL meeting, taught a FULL day of school - lots of balancing, graphing, reading, grid addition and addition/subtraction families, ran the kids down here, then back up to co-lead said LLL meeting, finally back home to plan class. *whew*

So, either my kids do not find Christmas lights to be as magical and special as I do, or they simply were not impressed with Winter Wonderland. I'm guessing it's the latter, since almost all our outdoor decorations adorn their playhouse.

Perhaps they would have liked the large indoor display, but we were late and missed that part. Here is what they did like:

looking at chickens
playing with goatslifting goatsfinding a Santa/creche sceneand getting dressed up in their new sweaters from GrannyTHANK YOU Granny Wilma! Everyone loves their new things, (and mama loved the gift receipts. It all fits now. =)