The tractor won't start

We are supposed to get 6-10 inches of snow by sometime tomorrow. Allison decided to build a snowman. Clarence went outside to take some pictures for me and helped her stack the snowballs to make him.

He convinced her to give the snowman a high five. Let it be noted for the record: she didn't want to.

After that, she had just enough time to do a little sledding in the front yard before dinner.

We'll see if we're snowed in tomorrow or not. I'm really hoping Clarence can figure out what's wrong with the tractor because I don't miss shoveling our driveway by hand. When it's snow covered, the driveway is about 3/4 mile long. In good weather, the length is about 250 feet. I wonder what the scientific explanation is for that phenomenon?

At least now we have a couple additional helpers who weren't big enough to help in the days before the tractor.

Ava and Nicholas

Our extended family got together today to celebrate cousin Daniel's daughter's birthday. Ava turned one a couple weeks ago but her family lives in Ohio so the party had to wait until this weekend.

She is one of the two miracle babies born into our family in the past year.

She liked playing with her cake more than eating it. I guess that's pretty much the case for first birthdays, isn't it?

And here we have niece Vicky with miracle baby #2, Nicholas. Since Aunt Sharon is his grandma, I knew she'd want to see him as well as Ava when she checks in here. We hadn't seen him since the end of August and he has grown so much since then. Don't you just love those cheeks and baby rolls? And that expression on his face? It cracks me up.

They are both such special blessings to their parents and to the rest of the family. It was great to see all of the cousins and their kids today-and with Christmas coming, we'll actually get to see them all again pretty soon. Don't you love the holidays?

Gearing up

Like a crazy person, I went to town and did a little shopping today. Very little, as it turned out. Since everyone shops on Black Friday, you run into lots of people you haven't seen in a long time. So I spent a good portion of my day catching up with friends I haven't seen in a while rather than spending money. I guess that might be a good thing?



The girls have been decorating the trees the last few days (since it is such a short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year). On my expedition today I bought some assorted candies for the Advent calendar. I couldn't believe that they hadn't thought to get it out yet.

Now the Advent calendar is filled and we have started planning our Sunday Advent celebrations. We're pretty low-key but last year started having a special dish or treat each Sunday night. Since there are only four of us, we each get one Sunday in Advent, going youngest to oldest.

Allison decided she wants a mixed berry pie. Even better, she wants to make it. I'm loving this already. ;-)

We have an Advent devotional thing we try to use but it frankly hasn't been our favorite thing. I'm looking for suggestions for a devotional we could use as a family. Anyone have any ideas? If you've used something that you loved, would you please leave me a comment so I can check it out? Thanks.

The feast

We had a lovely time today at Earl and Kathy's house. We don't get together often enough any more so holidays at least give us a chance to try to catch up with each other.

Dinner was delicious and plentiful. We all bring something to help lighten the load. I made rolls and a salad. Earl warned me that salad doesn't go over too well at Thanksgiving with our family. He was right. I brought about 80% of it home again. We had salad for supper so it works for me.

My dear, darling brother (yes, Earl-he's the only brother I have) was kind enough to send these leftovers home with us, too. He has a specialty he makes for Thanksgiving every year. Pumpkin chocolate marbled cheesecake. Oh. my.

I think it's a good thing my picture doesn't look so pretty. You'd all be licking your monitors even though you are already stuffed from your own feasts.

In honor of Thanksgiving

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, filled with family, laughter, good food, fun, and lots of thankfulness.

The beautiful snow

Was that me yesterday that was blathering on about how pretty the snow was? It was?

I may have revised my opinion this afternoon.



Mom had a clinic appointment in Detroit today. I was a little anxious about making the drive as we were supposed to continue getting more snow overnight. Clarence called me shortly after 5:00 AM(!) to tell me his drive to work had taken about an extra half hour. I decided I'd better just stay up, since I was going to get up in just over a half hour anyhow. Have I ever mentioned that I am not a morning person?

By the time the girls and I left home just after 6:30 AM (!), the roads seemed to be wet and slushy, but not overly slippery. Thank God.

We made the trip with Mom incident-free. No big news from the docs, which is always good news, and we were out of there in a reasonable amount of time, which always makes us happy. Mom even fed us lunch when we got back to her house.

Then we came home.

And drove up our hilly, curvy driveway. Which was snow covered. And which contained some small branches which had fallen while we were gone.

The girls got out and moved the branches for me and I attempted to continue driving up the driveway.

You can see how that worked for me.

We ended up shoveling for a bit and I was able to, after several failed attempts, make it up to the garage.

I walked into the house and kissed the non-snow-covered floor.

For Aunt Sharon

As the girls and I sat at the dentist's office today waiting for our appointments, we watched big, fluffy flakes falling outside. It's the first pretty snowfall we've had this winter. It has done a little spitting and sputtering before today, but this was winter wonderland stuff.

Now, I'm no fan of winter as a general rule. But there is something to be said for how clean and pretty everything looks when blanketed with snow.

By the time we got home it was beginning to get dark and was warm enough that the snow was melting.

I knew Aunt Sharon, down in warm, sunny Florida, would want to see our first real snow of the season. She may only want to see it so she can remember why she moved, but I'm sure she wants to see it.

I think I'm ready to go visit her now.