For the past two days we enjoyed a little getaway to one of our favorite spots, tucked away in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. BW decided to stay home and have some "quality time" with friends and see a concert. We decided it was OK, and posted some trusted spy's to check on things. BB asked his best buddy Grasshopper to come and of course we said yes. Grasshoppers parents claim our BB as their 4th child and we happily claim Grasshopper as our 4th as well, LOL!
It was a nice, but windy trip up north. With winds as high as 45 mph, we didn't spend a lot of time outside. We did manage a little shopping, some photo taking and certainly sightseeing. On Monday we wrapped up our trip to a wonderful new museum that we've been so excited to visit. It was a wonderful day for all. My favorite part was the otters. For anyone who knows me well, they know I ADORE otters. They are just so frisky, playful, spontaneous and cute. What is not to love? The kids all enjoyed themselves immensely and can't wait to go back soon.
Roaring Brook Falls
BW and GH doing some shopping
Breakfast at one of our favorite eateries
Otter Carousel
Ohhhh!!!!
Doing a backflip, these little guys are hard to photograph!
Me and my Buddy
LL making a bird feeder
One grouchy fish, I feel like this some days too!
LL really wanted to take this stuffed Moose home, can you blame her?
This Saturday we got together with DB's family to celebrate Christmas at Uncle Fix-it and Aunty Ess's house. This is my favorite place to spend Christmas personally. Aunty Ess just has a way of making her home feel "so Christmasy".
After dinner, we exchanged gifts among the children. This is my favorite part, watching the anticipation on the giver and receivers faces. As usual we adults have continued to sponsor a child overseas. Our joy is made complete knowing we have been a blessing to a little one in need.
In addition to Christmas we also celebrated Uncle Fix-it and BB's birthdays. It sure is fun having two holiday birthdays! So many reasons to celebrate, so many reasons to be thankful.
Being Silly with Uncle Fix-It
Mommy and LL's Matching Outfits, We Love to Match!!
Christmas morning started as usual in our house. We, DB and I, were up first. The kids slept on. I'd like to say that our first thoughts were of sugarplums, gingerbread men and Santa Claus. But it was not so. Instead, we arose to wrestle with "the bird" that I was to cook that day. To my concern, he was not quite unfrozen and required some extra attention. Shortly after the laughter as I chased the bird around the sink, slipping and sliding, it was time to start the festivities.
LL was the first one to arise, naturally. This is the first year that she has a clue what Christmas is all about and it was SO much fun for us all. My joy would have been complete had Papa still been here with us. There is a sad spot that permeated the day without him here. But we know he celebrated with Jesus this year. For this I find joy and peace. Once LL was awake we gave her the job of waking her brothers, always a pleasure to delegate that one!
Sleepy-headed big guys mumbled down the stairs, pausing a moment by the tree, then flopped on the couches. Once the fog cleared the paper began to fly. LL was the biggest helper, finding as much (or more) joy in seeing everyone open their gifts as she did in opening hers. How did we ever live without her I ask myself everyday.
The big surprise this year was for BB who got his long awaited new computer. Since he is an aspiring movie director, we purchased equipment for him to use both practically and for fun. Along with that Uncle Fix-it and Auntie Ess provided some professional software to set his "act in motion". He was a very happy boy, to say the least. Move over Mr. Speilberg, there's a new kid in town!
BW's focus this year has been on his car. So we provided some nice necessities for him as he prepares to hit the road.
DB and I, as always, exchanged meaningful and practical gifts mostly. His favorite being a new GPS (he gave me his during the year!) and mine a mp3 player (motivation to begin jogging!)
The highlight of our day was the blessing of shared time with extended family, my boss and his wife who visited us for some shared dessert. DB's boss also stopped by briefly yesterday to bring us a lovely handmade ornament. We are very fortunate to work for people who see us not just as employees but as friends.
I pray that all our family and friends find peace, joy, rest and rejuvination during this special holiday season. I pray too that we keep our focus on Jesus, Yahweh. For He is love, the most precious gift of all. Merry Christmas and a Blessed, Healthy New Year to all!
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year; He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;
Then he's thinking more of others then he's thought the months before, And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature then at any other time; When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
When it's Christmas, man is bigger and is better in his part; He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for a while And the true reward he's seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.
If I had to paint a picture of a man, I think I'd wait Till he fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I'd not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of self, On the long days and the dreary when he's striving for himself.
I'd not take him when he's sneering, when he's scornful or depressed, But I'd look for him at Christmas when he's shining at his best.
Man is ever in a struggle and he's oft misunderstood; There are days the worst that's in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don't know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.
At my favorite time of year I am often inspired to try and find words to express the joy that I feel. And too, the beautiful changes that happen all around me. But I never seem to manage. Thank you Mr. Guest for these lovely sentiments! There is no way I could say what is in my heart better than this.
Thank You God for sending your precious Son on this day. Born humbly, risen to Greatness. Our Saviour, Prince of Peace. Praise you Jesus!
Today is Beetleboy's 13th birthday. Thirteen...geez it seems just yesterday that I was debating with DB about baby names. The funny thing is BB was due on Christmas Eve, that sure came as a surprise when I heard that news! As my delivery date drew closer I prayed that he would arrive a little early so that I'd be home with the family, especially BW who was only five at the time, to celebrate Christmas. True to fashion, even today, he was early.
A Personal Note: Happy Birthday Big Guy. Just remember, no matter how old you get, you're still my "Baby Boy". I love you "the Purplest".
A shot from the sleepover...faces only a Mama could love!!
I was cooking dinner when all of a sudden this hysterical laughter rang out from upstairs. Being the curious/opportunistic photographer that I am; I grabbed the camera and went in pursuit of the giggling.
This is what I found.
BW was acting as the horse with the favorite over-sized stuffed animal as the saddle and LL astride her "trusty steed". Very cute, very funny-next time I'm grabbing the video camera!
24 Hours ago our family had another great adventure on Lindy Lane. Our town has been declared to be in a "State of Emergency". Where we live this is a BIG DEAL. We are blessed here in upstate NY to normally have pretty stable, temperate, normal weather patterns. Rarely does Mother Nature wreak havoc as the past two days!
It all began on Thursday night when the rain began. Then it turned into ice. LOTS of ice. The ice has covered all our trees in over 1/2 inch of thick, heavy ice. The trees have just drained their sap for the winter months and are very vulnerable to the elements. The result has been tree branches bending and breaking off. And in the worst case, whole trees have toppled under the oppressive weight of the ice. It is SO sad to see so many beautiful trees in our yard struggling to stay upright. Normally they are so stately and strong.
I couldn't help but go out very early and take pictures yesterday morning. All night we laid awake hearing branches fall in our yard at least every 10-15 minutes. I'm NOT exaggerating. I have to admit though, my imagination got the best of me. When I woke up I looked outside with much trepidation. I truly believed that we would have no trees standing at all on our very wooded lot. The good news is, we have kept most of our trees. The bad news is our yard is a total mess with fallen branches (big ones!) that have been cruelly ripped from the trunk, leaving gaping wounds and scars. The poor birds are so confused that they are flittering here and there, looking for a safe, familiar place to roost. Even our scrappy, tireless squirrels (who can be real pests) look as though they need a rest from the chaos. I wish I could invite them all onto our big enclosed back porch for a safe haven. That'd be interesting wouldn't it? LOL!
Friday, the kids did not have school. Even Daddybug came home from work at 8:00am due to the power outages everywhere. So it was a fun day, but not your typical day at all. Just before lunchtime we lost our power. We knew we were on "borrowed time" as most everyone all around us had lost theirs. So, lunch was prepared in the kitchen on the Coleman stove, camping-style. Thankfully we did have water.
Later on it was time to start the fire and try to keep warm until our power came back. For entertainment, DB brought in one of our power inverters from the RV so that we could watch "White Christmas" by candlelight. This helped to pass time and provide a distraction from the ruin outside and the uncertainty of when our power would come back on.
By 9:00 pm we were all in bed and quite tired from a busy day living like pioneers. All was quiet until about 3:00 am. The fire had gone out and our noses were cold from sticking out from under the covers. Not too long after, Little Ladybug stirred and cried that she needed "more covers". Being that was not an option, we brought her into bed with us. This child is the NOISIEST sleeper on the planet. She snores, grunts, sniffs and twitches. Thankfully these are things we normally don't hear on the monitor! I must say though, she is best person to wake up next too. She so cutely takes your face in her little hands and says,"I wake you up Mama!" Then plants a little kiss right on your lips. Now how can you not be charmed by that?!
LL and I and rolled out of bed at about 8 am, to a chilly 58 degree bedroom. The living room and kitchen, however, were a toasty 65 degrees as Daddybug had been up since 5:00am keeping the fireplace going. Thank You Daddybug!!
Today, Saturday, has been more of the same. The good news is:
1. We now own a generator. It was HARD to find, but we got it! 2. We have a solid plan should this continue (meals, heat, lights, etc.) 3. We are getting rather used to the "pioneer life-style" 4. Life by firelight and candlelight is SO fun and cozy
The bad news is:
Once we went to all these pains...
THE POWER CAME BACK ON!!!!!!!
OK so it's not REALLY bad news, but isn't that the way things go? Had we NOT rushed around we likely would STILL not have power. Sigh...such is life in the great Northeast.
Memorable Moments from the Ice Storm of 2008
1. How still and quiet our little village is when the power is out 2. How much fun a family can have when the power is out 3. How much you appreciate warm water and a lightbulb when the power is out 4. How nice it is to spend 12 hours under the spell of candlelight and firelight when the power is out 5. How neighborly people become when the power is out 6. How crazy the grocery store is when the power is out 7. How scarce relatively common items become when the power is out 8. How marvelous is God's creation when covered in an icy blanket
Enjoy the shots of our big adventure. I don't know if it's over yet as the ice is still looming large, some of the roads are still impassible, many people are still without power, and we are due to get strong winds tonight. Not good news.
Hey, we may still get to use that (not so inexpensive) generator after all. Guess we can invite the neighbors over for kettlecorn tonight!
Today was the third year that the Wizards participated in the FLL Robotics Competition. They have been working diligently since September designing, redesigning, programming, tweaking and practicing making their robot do all it is programmed to do. They named the robot "The Praying Mantis". The competition involved 23 other teams this year. It is held at a prominent engineering college. The boys are very fortunate to have these bright, ambitious college students to mentor, train and coach them throughout the day. I should add that their regular coaches, Daddybug, Mr. N and Uncle Fix-It, are to be given equal credit for seeing them through these past three months of sponsoring, mentoring and preparation too!
The day was already a success as their robot performed just as they expected and all had a great time and learned a lot. But the highpoint of the day came as they took Third Place for the Robot Design. Yup, that's a real honor and we are very proud of the whole team. In addition to the win, they also had the opportunity to rub elbows with the founder of the First Lego League, the Regional Director of Intel and Congressman Paul Tonko who presented the boys their trophy. I also should add that they will again be written up in our local paper. Must be those cool hats and their team spirit...Go Wizards!!!
It's hard to believe that our mini-vacation is already over! We've all been off since Wednesday and here it is Monday already, humpf!
Our Thanksgiving was very nice as always but there certainly was a void at our first family holiday without Papa here. Many times during the day I swear I could almost hear his voice. We all miss him so much. Life on the Lane just isn't the same nor will it be ever again.
After our feast at Uncle Fix-it and Aunty Ess's house we returned home to become basic couch potatoes for two days. This is SO uncommon for us. But I have to say it was very enjoyable.
On Saturday night we did something fun with our friends from Vischer Ferry Station. We went to see a holiday train arrive at the Delanson Depot. It picks up food for local food banks and on board are performers who entertain along the train route. This is the 10th anniversary of this special train; we've only seen it two times. But it certainly is memorable. Both young and old really get excited when those lights begin to flash and the train can be heard just around the bend. It is a grand, impressive sight to behold.
I have made a slide show of the performers because the Santa Claus that rides this train is NOT your typical Santa--no siree!! This Santa can rap, yup, you heard me right, he RAPS! It was so great! The train doors open, the bass begins to thump, the theatrical smoke billows, and out of the darkness comes Santa like you've never heard him before. I only wish I had brought my video camera. Words will never do justice to the performance, LOL! It was great!
After Santa left the stage the band began to play and they were terrific too. The woman who plays the electric violin/fiddle was awesome. She had everyone dancing the street. LL had her first close encounter with Santa that night too (and I missed getting it on film!!) Thank you for trying Paul, darn those dead batteries! Santa hand-delivered candy canes to the children in the crowd. Apparently she did fine and was quite amused by this stranger in red. All in all it was a nice night out. Not too cold, yummy hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, good friends, good music and a beautiful holiday train delivering good cheer. I'd say that's a darn good way to kick off the holidays wouldn't you?
