And there was SNOW...

I awoke this morning to beautiful snow everywhere.

So, I sent Rosey out for the paper.  Brrrrr

Which caused a wardrobe malfunction

Followed by Snow Angels...

And Snow Food...
and...Snow Balls.
What a great Snow Day!

Let It Snow!

It has been snowing all day and I wish it would snow more!  As Mr. Finn told the missionaries tonight it is because I drive a Durango so it doesn't bother me.   The truth is that I love seeing everything covered in white, looking as if it is pure and clean.  It lifts me up for a bit.  I love this time of the year.

Even Ryan is in the Christmas mood.  He looked out the front window today to see the neighbors lights and informed me that our house needs some lights on it.  I told him to talk to Daddy, the official hanger of lights.  I have yet to have them on our home, but I have my fingers crossed that with enough peer pressure from his offspring he will cave in this year.  

Now, if the snow would only stick to the ground....hmmmm.

I'm Cured!

Who talked me into Midnight Madness (12-3 a.m.) shopping after enjoying a very wonderful and filling Thanksgiving dinner at the Summervilles?

Oh yeah!  ME!!!

I even talked Margarine (name changed to protect the innocent) into joining me for my little jaunt to town.  Boy, were we shocked to see over 3 thousand people (I say 3 thousand because I know it was more than I could count.  LOL) lined up for those $25 free gift certificates.  Did I really believe I could get one of those by leaving my house at 11 p.m.?  I am, after all, an eternal optimist, but I am not however, a very committed shopper, even for $25 of FREE MONEY!  Shocking, I know!

We did go to one store but were completely worn out and lacking adequate commitment we LEFT and went to BED, which I might add is somewhere I should have been at 10 p.m. instead of chasing the 

BLACK FRIDAY DREAM. 

 Or, should I say MANIA!!!

We're Baaacccckkkkk!

Me and Aunt Lois
The whole gang going for a walk downtown
Great Grandma Rose and Rosey
Rosey enjoying the Ferry Ride
We've got our eye on you!
Ryan spent most of the plane ride watching movies

We are officially home from our 5 day marathon.  5 Flights, 3 Ferries, 1 Rental Car and 3 Hotels.  It was worth every minute of the trip.

Even...after almost being banned from flying with United Airlines!  Ever had one of those flights where the flight attendant is in a bad mood and you just happen to be on the wrong flight?  That was the 3rd leg of our flights on Thursday.  Nothing like being greeted by United Security after exiting the plane to determine if you are a flight 1 security risk because you didn't jump fast enough when barked at on the plane.  I will spare the details but will never fly with UNITED again!!!

The children were completely amazing on the entire trip.  Hard to believe they were our children, I swear they were abducted by aliens!  Actually they enjoyed the traveling so much that they may be hooked for life.  It was Ryan's first experience in a plane or a boat and he did wonderfully, so excited by every new thing.  His enthusiasm was contagious.

We were able to enjoy two complete days with my Grandma Rose and the children's Grandma Lois.  The kids warmed up immediately to our amazement and were able to enjoy playing with them.  From playtime at McDonalds to walks in downtown Victoria, it was the most wonderful time we have had all year.  We were even able to see the Santa Claus Parade.  It was amazing with so many lights, completely beats a 4th of July Parade.  Ryan's eyes were the size of saucers, he didn't utter a peep the entire time, but was bouncing with excitement on Grandma Lois' legs.  Rosey wasn't as thrilled!  Her comment was that is wasn't fun and wanted to go back to the Hotel.  Might have been that it was pretty chilly and she isn't a fan of the cold unless she is  making snow angels.

Visits with the Grandma's was fun for all of us.  I truly have the most wonderful Grandmother, that turned 87 on the 17th and you wouldn't know it.  I hope I look half as good!  My Aunt Lois is another story, she is so much fun!  I wish she lived closer so she could be in the children's lives more.  It would be a blessing to them!  Maybe she will have to come for long visits?!  Ryan already misses his Gandma.

I was able to visit with my friend Sandy at her home on Monday morning.  She threw a Breakfast Potluck in my honor.  You rock Sandy!  Some of my friends from the ward that attended were:  Karey, Joy, Helen, Carol and of course, Sally!  Thanks everyone for coming.  It was so good to visit with good friends.  And...I was so busy yakking with everyone that I forgot to take pictures.  So sad!

We were able to drive by our first home in Lynnwood and show Rosey where her first home was, she wasn't thrilled in any way, but what do you expect.  She didn't even want  to see where she was born.  Is it more exciting for us "OLD" folks!?

We got home late, and I mean late Monday night.  We didn't even wake up until late and I mean late on Tuesday.  I haven't done that since I was YOUNG and I mean really young!  LOL

The trip was too short, but it was all we could do at this time and it was worth every bit of exhaustion it took to pull it off.  I am so blessed with family and friends that make my/our life richer and fuller.  

Thank you to all that made us feel so welcome and special.  

We love you!

Oh! Canada

We are preparing to embark upon Ryan's first trip to Canada, although he will only acknowledge that he is going to fly in an airplane.  That part has his undivided attention.

I can't believe how much stuff it takes to be gone for 5 days with only two children.  And, with the airlines charging for baggage we are being creative in our packing.  Mr. Finn scrounged up an army duffle bag in which we will fit clothing for 4 and two booster seats while maintaining the entire weight under 40 pounds to keep the airline happy.  Or, maybe that is us happy because we don't have to pay for a second bag which is more expensive than the first one.  YIKES!  AIRLINES!

At least it will be the trip of a lifetime for the children.  They are so anxious to go and see Grandma Lois and Great Grandma Rose.  I'm sure they will be terribly spoiled, which is great for starting off the holiday season.