Brrr...we are NOT talking about windchill

Okay, so Duluth gets a really bad reputation for cold weather and for the most part I think it is a little bit exaggerated...it's International Falls that is always the coldest on the local forecast...but, tonight we are supposed to hit -25 for the actual temperature!!! So, if you look at the chart above, you can see that even a small 5 mph wind will make the windchill -40!! Needless to say, there is a cold weather advisory for tonight (Greg laughed because he said when he lived in Tennessee they would have those on the weather if it dropped below 20).

So tonight is one to stay in...and it means that Duluth is living up to it's reputation tonight!!

A free ride at Spirit Mountain

We spent about 2 1/2 hours at Spirit Mountain today for FREE!!! I love this place. They have a bunny hill that has a tow rope on one side and a "magic carpet ride" (a moving walkway) on the other side and you can use that entire area for free.

It is a great place to bring the kids. Greg could ski behind Ava without having to carry/push her back up a hill and Zach and Andrew could ride and ski till their little hearts were content. I got quite a few runs in myself and feel much more confident than I did the other night when we went to Chester Bowl. What a great place...and you can't beat the price!

UMD Hockey

Last weekend we went to a UMD hockey game at the new Amsoil arena. It was the boy scout/cub scout night and so we got tickets for a great price!

We got extra lucky and ended up being seated right in front of a couple of Andrew's friends and so he actually went back and sat with them...they had a great time being silly and feeling big!

It was a fun to go to the game together as a family, and UMD won...making it even more fun! I love all of the family events that the scouts do...we try not to miss them!

A Room with a View

I just love this picture! It's the view from Greg's work window - you can see the cold, but you can also see why people even love the lake in the winter. I think it's an awesome view!

Taking it as a sign...

So, I have been totally watching the new OWN network and have a whole bunch of shows that I am tivo-ing. As I was scrolling through the list of shows, I found a listing for a morning exercise show...seemed interesting...power yoga! I've always wanted to try it and so I figured it would be a good show to tivo...and who knows...maybe even a show that is good for me and not just good!

I went to watch the show (after 4 episodes had tivoed) and what did I find??? A cooking show!! Yep, the guide says it's going to be yoga, but there is a cooking show being shown during the time slot, and one that I actually have really enjoyed. So...no power yoga for me, but I do think I'm going to try a new macaroni and cheese recipe - I'm taking it as a sign!!!

A re-telling of the classic: Sleeping Beauty

Once upon a time there was a beautiful, little princess who was very crabby. She was being cranky and sassy and so the King and Queen sent her to time out to think about her behavior. Quite a while later, the forgetful Queen asked where the princess was and found out that she had turned into Sleeping Beauty - which was much needed. When she awoke, she was much happier, which made it much easier for them to all all lived happily ever after...

The end.

A return to Bentleyville

We decided to go back to Bentleyville when my parents were visiting (this time I wasn't wearing a costume) and I wanted to post some of the pictures. I love this one! There is the Bentleyville lift bridge to the left, then the tallest man made tree in the world, and then the real lift bridge in the background on the right!

And here is another picture to give you an idea of how much stuff is there...lights, lights, everywhere lights!

Here we are enjoying the free popcorn and cookies...what more could you want??

Oh, marshmallows! Well, then here you go...

Here are my parents roasting marshmallows with the kids...looks like the smoke was blowing in their direction!

And last, but not least on this visit, we stopped in to see Mrs. Claus and get a candy cane. Thanks to Bentleyville for another fun family night!

If you live in Minnesota, you better learn to...

Enjoy this type of sight...

And this one...

And this one!!!

And you better learn how to play outside no matter what the temperature is! These are all pictures my dad took while he was here...in the winter wonderland. I love how Ava is just hanging out by the tree...guess that snowsuit really is rated to -25!



Here are the kids at ski lessons. By the 2nd day Andrew had passed the test and was able to start riding the ski lift with a ski cadet. By the end of day 3 he had been given permission by the cadet and director to go on his own...what a biggins!

Here's the Z-diddly...

He did great too. He got to go on the lift at the very end of day 3 and was able to make 1 run down. He took a big (I mean big) tumble at the bottom, but totally handled it like a champ - which is probably more than I can say for myself - what a basket case I was watching!

And here is the little miss...I wish this had audio, because let's just say she wasn't feeling it...

This however, she was totally feeling!



Happy, happy days in the snow and on the ice! Welcome to Minnesota!

Bubbles and a new dress

So here's another installment of salvage sewing! Greg brought home what was a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt yesterday (Bruce gave it to him because it didn't fit) and today I turned it into a little something for Ava! I was trying to get a good picture, but today Ava learned how to blow bubbles...I guess they learn early when there is a gumball machine in the house!

I finally got her to stop blowing bubbles and got the perfect picture! I do love this little project - and the little model!

The Can-Can Skirt revisited

Here are the pictures of Ava in the skirt...I really do love it!

I just think it is a really fun holiday look...I might even be tempted to make one for myself if the right occasion came up??

So cute and fun!

Feeling the Christmas Love

Here are the little ones sitting and waiting to be able to go downstairs...can you feel the anticipation?

Who's ready??

The initial exploration...and excitement...

Then comes my favorite part...the love!

I really think my kids do a great job of being patient and loving on Christmas morning. We are not a "rush through it" kind of family. We open one present at a time and if there is some love to share afterwards, we just wait while it is being shared. I love to watch everyone and I love going slow and savoring the morning.

Greg is looking at a book that I made him composed of the past 2 1/2 years of the blog. It's a fun way to look at what our family has been up to.

Here is my mom - I'm glad she liked the watches I made for her!

I got new ski equipment this year...no more renting from Chester Bowl for me!

Ava's favorite present was probably this set of princess clothes that I got a screaming deal on from ebay. We were all happy about that one!


It may have been the smallest gift under the tree, but it was a HUGE deal to Andrew. He finally got a much wanted pocket knife. He's big now.

Zach had lots of parts to open for a Kung Zhu arena set for his Zhu Zhu pets...

And even Duchess got some new toys that she was totally content with!

Afterwards, my dad and I made quiche and home made cinnamon rolls (we didn't eat until about 3:30). We spent the whole day in our pajamas, eating our favorite things, playing with new toys, watching new movies and just feeling the Christmas love.

Christmas Eve 2010

This is right before our company arrived on Christmas Eve. Ava was in the room playing a little number for all of us...what a treat!

I only included this picture because I thought her hair and outfit were cute...

Here is the dining room's main table...for the adults (the married with children adults)

The table in the back is for the teenagers/adults without children...

And this table in the entry was for the little ones...

What a cute picture of the kids...oh wait, Zach has been possessed by the Christmas Eve demon...lovely...

Now they are all getting a chance at making a face!

Here are the "young adults"...

And the full fledged adults (minus Greg who was taking the picture)...we were so blessed to have good friends (the Davis and Gore families) and my parents in town. It was awesome to get to spend this special night with people we love so much.

Here are the kids doing a nativity...

Mary, Joseph, and the donkey in the background...

The wise men (or women)...

Here is the most complete picture with everyone...

And last, but not least...after everyone was gone...the stockings were full...

And the presents were under the tree (the ladder was a gift for Greg from the kids - I think it looks like something we forgot to put away in this picture).

Christmas Eve is one of my very favorite days. I love having people over who we care about and having a wonderful meal that is full of traditions. It was especially nice to have my parents in town and to be able to make the meal with my dad. Not only was it nice to share the work, but it was awesome to spend the day doing what was always done in our house growing up.

I couldn't have asked for anything more...it was perfect!