A Long Weekend

 We returned home yesterday after a four day weekend in Minneapolis. We kenneled the dog and packed the car for a roadtrip on Friday.  We were very lucky to have clear roads and very nice weather.

 We had quite an adventure walking through the Mall of America which was a very short walk from our hotel.  

 The LEGO store was pretty exciting.  

 Our hotel was really great.  It's actually the same place Kristen and I stayed at Oct of 2012 when we went for a book signing.  But this time we enjoyed the pool big time.  Nate was allowed to stay up late swimming. 

The reason for the trip wasn't at the mall though.  On Sunday we jumped on the lite rail and headed to the Metrodome.

 It was bitter cold but once the train was packed full of vikings fans you could hardly tell it was -6.  

 Going to the game was Dave's Christmas/ Anniversary gift.  We bought the tickets last July, and when I booked it there weren't many seats left.  Once on our way we realized this was a very important game to the Vikings fans because it was the last game in the Metrodome, and actually demo was going to begin almost immediately after Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.  It was packed.  

I don't want to be critical but I can see why they are excited to get a new stadium.  This one was definitely dated and lacking the modern things that Detroit's stadiums have.   

But the Vikings fans are nice.  I've been in the presence of Detroit and Chicago fans at events in Detroit and I was darn right scared..... in Minneapolis it wasn't that way.  

We watched three of the quarters then headed for the train.  We had heard that if you wait for the game to end it takes two hours to get on, not really appealing to a family like ours.

 So we froze our hineys back to the hotel.(our train was full of families by the way.)

 Monday morning we headed west toward home. It was so bitter cold.  I was worried the car wouldn't start, but thankfully it did.  When I sat down on my seat there was no cushion, it was completely frozen solid, I'm not joking.

Thankfully the tempurature was rising while we traveled west.  By the time we drove through some cruddy snowy stuff it was a positive 10 degrees, and once we got through Sioux Falls the sun came out and it warmed up to a balmy 31.  

 I'm not sure why, but when we were getting ready to go on our getaway Nate didn't want to go.  Maybe he hated leaving his new toys but he kept saying, 'Its going to be terrible there, tornadoes and storms and it will just be a bad trip.' 

Well Sunday night and Monday morning he was begging to stay for 'just six more days?!'

I'm glad he enjoyed himself and the mini vacation.  Today as I heard him relay our trip to our neighbor, and I could tell he had a great time and he enjoyed the whole experience.  

A Very Merry

 We celebrated such a wonderful day together.  I love our little family and the quiet way we do holidays.  Christmas Eve was extra special this year as we went to the church service last night.  They had an orchestra playing and the choir singing, and to say we were moved would be an understatement.  I had goose-flesh during some of the hymns.  It was beautiful.  

This morning Nate came in our room at a respectable 7 am, and asked if it was really Christmas.  That kid is so sweet sometimes.  

 We went downstairs and found that Santa had brought him the green scooter he had been hoping for.  He was beyond thrilled. 

 In his stocking he found a TMNT and a Turbo toy along with various other exciting things.

We all had fun opening gifts.... including Bonnie.  

 So many very thoughtful and wonderful surprises.

 It took over and hour and a half to get through them all, and when I asked Nathan what his favorite gift was he listed off about five things.... and he would have kept adding to the list but I redirected the conversation.  I am just glade he was grateful for everything.... even socks.

 The boys spent hours playing with the new toys.

 The five year old....

 And the thirty one year old both had a riot playing with army men, robots, sharks and various other treasures.  

So if you sent our family gifts this year, I thank you for your thoughtfulness and for adding such joy and happy memories to our Christmas. 

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas as well.  

Christmas Busy

 I truly hate that the title of this post is Christmas Busy.  Sadly we have been the past few weeks.  Usually I have most everything organized and done before December rolls around, and we relax and enjoy things the whole month long.  This year I was running late with my Christmas cards, the Christmas cookies, finishing shopping, and we just started shipping.  I have also been super busy with sewing projects, it hasn't made me stresses so much, as I'm just a little scattered and busy.  But things this week are evening out, and it should be a nice week.

We squeezed in cooking baking one evening a week ago.

 Nate helped out and had a really fun time this year. Actually after I did a batch I turned the rolling and cutting and baking over to Dave and Nate and they banged it out.  I should delegate more often. 

Strangely after we had them baked it took several nights before I asked Dave to handle the frosting.  And he did!  I was doing things nearby and listening, and they were having a good time.  Nate took advantage of Dave's not as watchful eye and ate nearly as many cookies as he frosted.  

This past weekend the boys assembled this gingerbread house.  I was finishing up my last Christmas sewing project and they were working on this. It was the first time I have ever bought a kit and Dave was cussing.  Gotta love the Christmas spirit eh?  

Other festive things have been going on around here, along with work and home school.  

Hopefully now I'll be way less hurried and this week will be jolly and memory filled.  

After the Deep Freeze

For the first time in a week, I was able to see out of my bedroom window this morning.  The layer of frost has finally lifted.  The relief that overcame me was palpable.  It has been so incredibly cold here in western South Dakota.  Growing up in Michigan I experienced very cold weather, but nothing compared to the way South Dakota does freezing temps.  I'm serious.  It's serious.  

I've learned how to adjust life to these bitter cold temperatures.

I remember wearing clogs or flip flops all year in Michigan.  Here in South Dakota I wear socks.  And not normal fruit of the loom, but heavy thick socks. And I wear them to bed (in my flannel sheets) and sometimes I wear a regular pair of socks with a serious pair over-top.   This has been a big adjustment to my lifestyle. 

I bought one of those damn headband hat thingers.  For reals it's changed my life.  My forehead and ears don't care how dumb I might look.  When it's -14 with a windchill of -26 I will do anything to avoid a freeze headache.  

 When it's this cold you must have AVON Silicone Glove. Period. 

 I've never needed a daily moisturizer for my face until I moved to South Dakota's blustery winters.  

I used to need chap stick..... but now I NEED chap stick. It feels like a life or death situation.   

And these mo-fos have improved the quality of life for everyone in our house, including our hamster.  I'm not kidding.  Before our week of below zero temperatures arrived I covered four of our windows, and the difference is intense.  We don't have very old windows, but when it's -20 you can use an extra barrier between you and the cold.  I found right after I covered the window in the sewing room the hamster was awake a lot more.  He wakes up earlier in the evening and stays up until mid morning.  And he used to cover himself with 6 inches of the cage paper, but now he will sleep on the wheel or leave an opening in the corner when he goes to sleep.  I can only imagine the parakeet is much more comfortable as well.  

Now that the temps have been in the 20s and Thursday is forecasted to be 42 I am darn right cheerful.  I'm getting used to these bitter South Dakota winters but boy I really don't feel like my 18 years in Michigan prepared me for them.  Good thing I make a dozen quilts per year....

Our Mighty Messenger

 Today at church the children put on their Christmas Play.  

Nate was of course a cherub.  

This church has become an important part of our life here.  We go regularly.  I've always wondered if we found the right church if it would be easier to get our butts in the pew every week.  It seems I was right because we get ourselves there without trouble every week. It's added a lot to our lives.  Nate loves going, which is really wonderful because I remember disliking church as a young child, I always felt very afraid.  But Nate has a totally different feeling, and I'm so grateful for that.  

Thanks to those that live streamed the play.  Nate was really excited that you watched.  

A Non Nikon Visit

 We had a really nice surprise to our Thanksgiving plans when my mom decided to come spend Thanksgiving with us. We had just a little more that a week of notice!  So we wrapped up our school week and planned a week off while Grandma was here.  

 Last Sunday we went to the airport to pick her up.  

 During the beginning of the week we just enjoyed having her here.  She came to hockey class, we went shopping, took her with us to run errands and enjoyed afternoons around town.  Dave and I went out last Tuesday on a real date.  We had a lengthy dinner, and saw a long movie.  It was a nice treat.  

Then we started getting ready for Thanksgiving.  Wednesday night we made the chex mix...

 I prepared the cranberry marble mold.  This year I tried a cranberry and cherry jello combo.... still tasted like cherry though.  

 David made the pumpkin pie.

 On Thanksgiving, I made the normal spread. 

 Set a fancy table. 

 And our feast came together easily. 

 We ate.

 It was delicious. 

 We slept through black Friday sales and had a special breakfast to welcome Mr. Piggy back.  

 We put up the tree, and decorated the house.  

 Mom decided to save on shipping this year, and loaded the tree with gifts.  

We had a nice time all week! Nate enjoying coloring with Grandma, doing puzzles,watching Christmas movies, and listening to stories. 

 Our last day with Mom was pretty busy.  After a lengthy walk through Menards, we hit Culvers up one last time, and headed to a fourth birthday party at the bowling alley.  Then it was time for the Festival of Lights parade.  We found a really fun new pizza place downtown and had dinner.  

 We enjoyed the parade.

 Then spent awhile walking around Who's.  We finished off the evening with some skating... 

And by we, I mean Dave and Nate.  Mom and I stayed close to the fire pit.  

The week was wonderful.  And yet I chose not to spend a huge part of the visit snapping perfect photos with my camera.  The stress from that would have taken something away from her trip.  Living in the moment was a treat. 

It was a really great Thanksgiving and week!

Tomorrow back to school!