The Polar Express

All of January we have experienced what the 

weather people like to call a "Polar Vortex".

At our house we've been calling it the "Polar Express"

and, boy, has it been chilly outside!

During a polar vortex, 

temperatures drop below zero and the wind chill gets

to about -30 below zero.

Here is what the polar express looks like outside...

the wall of snow is up to my mid-thigh!

Here is what it has done to our street...

most mailboxes were totally covered by snow drifts

this morning!  Ours wasn't quite as bad.

Inside, we have been staying toasty warm, 

especially since tomorrow will be our 5th snow day

this month!

Hannah and Ian have been making Rainbow Loom

bracelets non-stop!  They like the "fish-tail" pattern.

The dogs have really missed having their morning walk

each day, and Joey decided to take his frustration out on my 

couch.  Don't ask what Jeff's reaction was!!!

We have had a few days where it has been bearable

to be outside.  We took advantage of the weather last

Monday and went cross-country skiing at Kensington Park.

And the boys have enjoyed ski club again on Thursday nights -

Adam, too!

The night I took this picture it was about 4 degrees outside -

the next day was a snow day because of low wind chill temps.

Not sure how we'll survive if it doesn't start

getting warmer soon.

Today on Facebook someone posted that spring 

was only 56 days away...

we can't wait!!

Happy Birthday, JD!

Sunday was an epic day!

It started out with Jeff going to church for his early meetings

and then cancelling church because of the HUGE winterstorm

that had begun the night before.

Snow was coming down hard and by noon it was snowing an inch per hour.  Yikes!

He and his counselors stayed at church in case

anyone came who didn't get the word,

and they ended up holding sacrament meeting for the Elder & Sister Missionaries

and 2 other couples who came despite the weather.

The boys greeted him at the door

with their homemade card - see the cake on fire?

And then we ate everything he requested - 

homemade lasagna, salad, and carrot cake.

I made "Carrot Cake Supreme" from Our Best Bites

and it has been my nemesis ever since!

The buttermilk glaze and cream cheese frosting were to.die.for.

After dinner we all went outside to have fun in the snow

before the temperatures dipped overnight to -40's with the wind chill.

Jeff got out the snow blower and the rest of us

chased Joey around the yard.

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2014!!

We have been taking down Christmas the last few days 

and I had to get a picture of Ian in this hat

before I tuck it away for next December.

He picked it out at Bronner's when we went to Frankenmuth

and hasn't taken it off since!
He's worn it everywhere - to school, to the store, to cubs!

He's a true Spartan fan - loyal to his sister...

and now his Dad!

Jeff has been accepted as a graduate student at Michigan State for

the School of Business Masters of "Marketing & Leadership Strategies".

Classes begin next week and he is ready to go!

It will take a few years to complete but we

are so proud of both of our Spartans.

A Festivus for the Rest of Us...2014!

If I could capture Festivus in only one picture it would be this one...

seriously, what is wrong with us??

And we don't even drink.

Here are some other gems from our

McDonald's themed evening!

Ronald welcoming guests!

A box of French Fries....duh.

  

Wally Bronner and workers ... from Bronner's Christmas store.

Appetizers... apple dippers and chicken nuggets.  Of course!

The 2 who have the most fun at this party each year...

Wally Bronner OR Benjamin Franklin???

 Libby & Joey were reindeer.  They also liked Ian's hamburger 

costume as a bed!

Photo Booth shot!

 Scott ate his homemade Big Mac on his "Burger Buddy"

that Jeff made him a few years ago for his birthday.

We all had a costume change & the boys

came as Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite...

Jeff and Amanda joined us via Skype from SLC!

Callie was wrapped up in wrapping paper when they first

tuned in!

A gorilla leading the Festivus Choir.

He did a pretty good job.

Does this look like Paul F. Day or what????

Our Magical Visitation was from Mayor McCheese himself!

These two are learning the tricks of the trade -

following in their father's footsteps!

Grammy receiving the Festivus Lifetime Achievement Award...

Alec and I were the receiver's of the coveted red coats this year!

And Festivus doesn't end until the host is tackled to the ground.

Phew!

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!

It's been great having Riley home for 3 whole weeks and we've packed a whole lot

of fun into our break!

Christmas Eve was spent at Grammy & Papa's house with 

Scott, Leslie and kids, too.

Grammy made lasagna using Papa's sauce and after dinner 

we played games - chess & a dice game called "Tenzi".

We also watched a bit of Christmas Vacation, of course!

 jh

The last thing we did was act out the Christmas Story from Luke.

Not the best picture...but you get the idea!

Christmas Day was relaxing!

We got up around 8:00 and were done opening by 9:30.

After that I made cinnamon rolls and worked on the layered jello

for dinner - which was a smoked turkey.

My family joined us again and the missionaries.

We even had carolers come to the door with treats!

It was a perfect day spent with family.